Walkhighlands

David and I had been trying to do a hike for ages but the stars had never quite managed to align. However, with David spending a few days in Killin we worked out a plan for me to drive up. The hill he had his eyes on was Beinn an Lochain, a hill I had yet to climb. We met at the dam (well actually David caught me up just before it as I stopped to check I was on the correct road ) and we booted up.

The route was obvious as we headed down towards the bridge, and headed up the road.

Loch an Daimh


Soon the path branched off and we followed it steeply uphill. It was steep and it was nice to have someone to talk to as a distraction

The dam and back down Glen Lyon


David was clearly finding it quite difficult and it was really inspiring to see the determination with which he went about it!

David absolutely nailing it with Loch an Daimh behind


Looking back, the views were opening out nicely and it was shaping up to be as nice a day as the forecast had suggested (although I'd had my doubts when there had been a bit of rain coming over the Lawers road )

I noticed a wee memorial part way up; I don’t know who David Reed was but he had one hell of a view


A good distance up, David decided he had had enough. He had climbed a good way but was concerned about how long it would take him to get down. After a photo shoot David assured me that he would be fine going down alone so we parted ways.

It was a steep climb up to the ridge where the views became more impressive…


Down to Loch an Daimh


Beinn an Lochain summit ahead


But more importantly the gradient eased The ridge ahead looked really interesting and it was a really enjoyable walk along to the summit of Beinn an Lochain. Although after climbing Corbetts for the last month the whole concept of a path was unusual It was a fabulous viewpoint and I was enjoying playing with lenses on the fancy camera.

Sron a’Choire Chnapanich ahead


Chnapanich and Meall Buidhe with Glencoe behind


Rannoch Mor and Glencoe


South towards Loch Lyon


Time for a pose!


Towards Bridge of Orchy and Tyndrum


Back along the ridge and towards the Lawers hills


Pointy McPointyFace


The Big Bookle and Black Mount




Lawers and friends


Loch Lyon and Orchy hills


Loch Lyon dam


Rannoch Mor, Glencoe and Mamores


As I was checking the map for my next move - to head along the ridge towards Chnapanich I was caught up by a guy whose name I don't remember but who had a greater effect on my day than I expected…. It turned out he had the plan of doing the circuit but had checked the stalking notices and discovered that that area was out of bounds.

I now had a moral dilemma. I had not checked the board. It hadn't occurred to me to think about stalking at the beginning of August. There didn't seem to be anyone out and had I not met my new friend I would have continued and probably been none the wiser. But now I did know….

Annoyed, but trying to do the right thing I retraced my steps with my new pal. He turned out to be good company and we chatted away all the way down. Back at the cars I saw that David had gone which meant he'd not only got down safely but also made excellent time!

We chatted to another guy out camping before I headed for Meall Buidhe seeing as I was there, and my friend for his caravan.

It was initially easy walking along the track before the path branched off. As I'd been warned it was a bit of a bog-fest and I squelched my way upwards.

Lawers hills


Down Loch an Daimh


The path seemed to mutate and there were many different sections of it. Eventually I arrived at a sort of Coll, and a final climb took me onto the ridge.

Summit ahoy!


From the ridge it was an easy walk around to the summit of Meall Buidhe which was an even better viewpoint than Beinn an Lochain,

Schiehallion


Lawers range


Beinn an Lochain with Ben More behind


Schiehallion again – looks odd without it’s white coat!


Ben Nevis


Loch Rannoch and Ben Alder range behind


Jaxter special


I could see right down Glencoe and with the aid of super duper lens I was able to get a half decent shot of it




Ben Nevis


Orchy hills


Schiehallion


Mamores


I think this is Ben Cruachan


Ben Lawers


Zoomed


It was pretty windy so I found a wee sheltered spot for a sandwich and consulted the map. Now I make no secret of my hatred of out-and-back routes and despite my best laid plans today was turning out to be two of them. Something in me snapped. Looking across at Cam Creag, I could see no stalkers and no deer. It was late in the afternoon and if I took a straight line across I would be on “out of bound” land for only a few kilometres….

I walked back along the ridge to the Coll where it was decision time…. The official story is that I went back down and this is me photoshopped on the summit of Cam Creag, which I'm sure is a fabulous viewpoint too…



obviously these photos are not mine as I wasn't there

A perfect example of a hanging valley – Geography A level


Looking back at Meall Buidhe from an undisclosed location


Lawers range


Tarmachan Ridge


Schiehallion and Glen Lyon hills


Loch Rannoch


Meall Ghaordie I think?


Beinn an Lochain


Crianlarich hills


Tarmachan Ridge again


Kinloch Rannoch


Zoomed top of Beinn an Lochain


The zoom on this thing is awesome




Ben More




Lawers


Ghaordie


Corbetts


All the Lawers hills


The sun starting to set


Final descent


Back at the dam


It was a tired but satisfied Jaxter that returned to the car.


It was a lovely drive back over the pass






Lochan na Lairige




I'll definitely return to do the circuit another time, but at least I know not to attempt it between July and September

I think this may be the answer to David Reed. Googled in images, and came to this

https://stv.tv/news/tayside/1387367-hillwalker-dies-suddenly-on-perth-and-kinross-munro/

I see there was no sign of stalking. We have done most of the Carn Mairg 4 from Fortingall at a time when stalking notices have been up at the estate, without a sign of any activity.

Sgurr wrote:I think this may be the answer to David Reed. Googled in images, and came to this

https://stv.tv/news/tayside/1387367-hillwalker-dies-suddenly-on-perth-and-kinross-munro/

I see there was no sign of stalking. We have done most of the Carn Mairg 4 from Fortingall at a time when stalking notices have been up at the estate, without a sign of any activity.

Oh wow so that was pretty recent then

Yeah...I did feel pretty bad about it, if people start ignoring the rules then all sorts of access laws will get challenged But you're right, there was no stalking that day!

Who's been playing with their new toy, then???

Well, it's been worth it: some really great panoramic pics here - they look particularly good when blown up to fill a big screen .

I haven't done these yet, but I too faced a moral dilemma when I did the munros on the north side further down the glen...

IMG_1076[/url] by Alter Knacker

I can't begin to describe how hard my conscience wrestled with the moral dilemma here....

I would not take any heed of signs in this area ...

Love the "photoshopping"

Incredibly clever use of drone to take photos of somewhere you didn't go?

Once again, most of us would probably have taken the easy option, and just done one hill that day instead.

Collaciotach wrote:I would not take any heed of signs in this area ...

So I've heard, this "estate" has the reputation of posting misinformation to discourage visitors.

Convincing bit of photoshopping - I'd have sworn you were actually there on Cam Creag

Some great zoom shots with that fancy lens of yours. Looked an interesting day with good weather and views. Well done for defying the dubious signage to bag the Corbett. I think your decision was the morally right one.

Mal Grey wrote:Incredibly clever use of drone to take photos of somewhere you didn't go?

Once again, most of us would probably have taken the easy option, and just done one hill that day instead.

Collaciotach wrote:I would not take any heed of signs in this area ...

So I've heard, this "estate" has the reputation of posting misinformation to discourage visitors.

Is everyone mistaking it for north chesthill? I remember a board with a large harveys map with preferred routes if they were stalking but nothing discouraging whole hills.

Alteknacker wrote:Who's been playing with their new toy, then???

Well, it's been worth it: some really great panoramic pics here - they look particularly good when blown up to fill a big screen .

I haven't done these yet, but I too faced a moral dilemma when I did the munros on the north side further down the glen...

IMG_1076[/url] by Alter Knacker

I can't begin to describe how hard my conscience wrestled with the moral dilemma here....

My new toy is amazing
Im glad it's not just me facing these sorts of dilemmas. I'm assuming you swam across the river

Collaciotach wrote:I would not take any heed of signs in this area ...

I was a bit worried about being shot Except that there were no dear anyway and I was wearing some pretty bright colours

KatTai wrote:Love the "photoshopping"

Amazing skillz eh

Mal Grey wrote:Incredibly clever use of drone to take photos of somewhere you didn't go?

Once again, most of us would probably have taken the easy option, and just done one hill that day instead.

Collaciotach wrote:I would not take any heed of signs in this area ...

So I've heard, this "estate" has the reputation of posting misinformation to discourage visitors.

Aye these drones are pretty good eh
I was missing Corbetts and needed one to make me feel better

dav2930 wrote:Convincing bit of photoshopping - I'd have sworn you were actually there on Cam Creag

Some great zoom shots with that fancy lens of yours. Looked an interesting day with good weather and views. Well done for defying the dubious signage to bag the Corbett. I think your decision was the morally right one.

I'm glad you agree - I was worried I might get told off

prog99 wrote:

Mal Grey wrote:Incredibly clever use of drone to take photos of somewhere you didn't go?

Once again, most of us would probably have taken the easy option, and just done one hill that day instead.

Collaciotach wrote:I would not take any heed of signs in this area ...

So I've heard, this "estate" has the reputation of posting misinformation to discourage visitors.

Is everyone mistaking it for north chesthill? I remember a board with a large harveys map with preferred routes if they were stalking but nothing discouraging whole hills.

When I returned to my car I did study the board - I don't know how I missed it; guess that's what happens when you're chatting away
The two munros were accessible via the paths (ie two out-and-backs) and they allowed you up Cam Chreag from near Bridge of Balgie but not to link onto Meall Buidhe. Bit annoying really, especially as it's 4 months of the year. Who stalks in July?!