Loch Ordie in Winter

[Ewen Kerr]

Perthshire seems to be the regular haunt for us just now and Saturday was no different when we took to Loch Ordie at Dunkeld.

Lovely sunny day just above freezing with several inches of snow laying from a earlier fall in the week.

Took off from Cally Car Park just after 10.00 AM and followed Atholl Woods Path up to Mill Dam. Path had been well used by traffic so parts were very icy and slippery under foot.

Upper Hatton

Passing The Glack we headed towards Deuchary Hill and 3/4 mile later crossing Leddow Burn the snow became deeper and was untouched. This was hard going not just for us but our two Cocker Spaniels as ice balls started to form on their coat. Thankfully for them as we passed Grewshill the path texture changed and the snow flattened.

Leddow Burn looking back at Craig More

Reaching Reimore Lodge you finally get to see Deuchary Hill in its splendour. More than half the height of a Munro and classed as a Marilyn we regretted not climbing it but knew for timing it was the best decision.

Deuchary Hill

Not long after this & still walking in the tracks of a locals ATV, we were welcomed by Loch Ordie itself. Loch Ordie looked stunning in the sunny winters day with the white landscape surrounding it not forgetting the quaint Loch Ordie Lodge and the rhododendrons, although not in blossom.

Path ploughed by ATV

Loch Ordie Lodge

Loch Ordie

Loch Ordie

Not long after the Lodge & after a stone bridge you see the first signpost since leaving Mill Dam. The options being to continue on the circuit & onward to Dunkeld or head right to Loch Oisinneach.

Leaving Loch Ordie

First Signpost - Dunkeld or Loch Oisinneach.

Halfway point & still 7 miles to go we stopped for "lunch in an unusual place" as my wife would say, managing to get a spot in the sun.

Lunch finished we continued on a further 1.5 miles arriving at Roar Lodge to be welcomed by their "guard dog", a flock of guineafowl. They're certainly worthy of their other title "farm-yard sentry" as they sensed us coming from far away & started to scream very loud.

Moving on you get to walk alongside Dowally Loch & Rotmell Loch which were both frozen and an easy temptation for Flyn our working Cocker Spaniel. The route then re-joins the Atholl Wood path at Mill Dam before turning right at Rotmell Wood. This track again turned icy probably from the recent Forestry Commission operations and the Land Rover Experience, which we later met & not surprisedly driving at a slower pace considering the icy condition.

Next turning was left just up from Ledpetty Lodge, the right taking you away from Dunkeld towards Dowally & eventually Pitlochry, if keen. Entering Atholl Woods you walk parallel to General Wades Military Road for 1.5 miles until they both meet. During this descent (and thanks to our dogs spotting them) we saw a herd of Fallow Deer up high.

Leaving these woods and whilst dusk was settling in it changed briefly into a scene from a CS Lewis novel; quick flash of an amber floor of needles straight into a snowy exterior.

Leaving Atholl Woods

Polney Loch comes after spending a short distance walking on General Wades Military Road which although brief has no path at points so care should be taken. Finally reaching the car park just after 17.00 PM we found our car was the second one left.

Loch Ordie we'll certainly visit again but probably in the Spring or later and hopefully take in Loch Oisinneach or climb Deuchary Hill.

[Gordie12]

Welcome to my winter training ground!!

As your photos show it's a great place for a wander with a bit of snow on the ground. I was out a few hours before you, just me, the owls and the deer - absolutely brilliant and, with a bright moon and snow on the ground the head torch was redundant.

Hope you enjoy your next visit - Loch Oisinneach is a great wee loch rarely visited.

[Towser]

Enjoyed this report, having just done the walk in (almost) autumn colours.