free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
Got a new pair of boots in June which still needed to be broken in - just never had the chance. Have not had a decent walk since early August and the old body is beginning to seize up. Joe, my older brother who is 75 next month, is in the same boat. He doesn't do steep hills any more but he likes a good walk. Although we had done Loch Venacher a number of times in the past using a number of different routes we always found the walk different depending on season and weather. We have done it in heavy rain, gales, frost, fog, snow and even sunshine - always different and always a real pleasure. Yesterday we had the promise of a weak warm front clearing the area from south to north during the morning. It never did clear and we were left with a cloudy day with a few spots if rain. The cloud was on the surrounding hills and visibility was not great. Nevertheless a lack of visibility draws one's attention to closer things like the trout which jumped clean out of the lochan quite unexpectedly or the flight of geese flying directly overhead in perfect 'V' formation - usually common enough occurences but today somehow very special.
We set off mid-morning along the very familiar track noting the warnings about tree felling and noting also that the track was a bit cut up by heavy traffic and machines - none of which were evident during our walk. We also noted that the trees which were still standing were very much bigger than before - must have been a good couple of growing years - because some of the viewpoints in the past are no longer viewpoints. Further along however there has been a great deal of de-forestation resulting in the opening up of splendid views - at least they would be if the visibility was better. Anyway, up to the lochan we wandered at the easiest of paces - we were in no hurry - to find the scene as sublime as ever - the same but somehow different - the autumn colours were radient - the fish jumping was a treat and the flight of geese completed the scene. Lunch was taken at the little picnic table on a little hill adjacent to the lochan. This used to be a great viewpoint but the views are now supressed by quickly growing trees - what a shame - but no doubt those eyesores will soon be harvested. After lunch we wandered down the Rob Roy Way past the lochan just to experience the peace, tranquility and haunting ambience of the place and it's then that the camera came out - I just had to try to somehow capture the scene albeit virtually impossible - my efforts follow and show something of the vividness of the colours with which nature presented us. When the time came to return to the car it was with great regret that we had to leave however the promise of scampi and chips tipped the balance and so it was home to the wee wives - two happy if ageing gentlemen. Enjoy the pics and thank you again Walkhighlands - your site has been an inspiration not to mention a source of valuable information. PS the weather seems to be settling so I will hopefully get up Ben Lui with my daughter early next week.
![Loch Venacher 043.jpg]()
