In Lone Glenartney's Hazel Shade

[weaselmaster]

The stag at eve had drunk his fill,
Where danced the moon at Monan’s rill,
And deep his midnight lair had made
In lone Glenartney’s hazel shade’
Walter Scott - Lady of the Lake

I had been asked to lecture in Perth on Wednesday so decided to head through the night before and take in a couple of hills on the way. The 2 Donalds, one of which is also a Graham, in Glenartney seemed to fit the bill. Had the dentist at 9 - a check up only, fortunately, so set off after that. Misty on the road through but the forecast good for the day -I was sure it would burn off. Arrived at the car park at Glenartney Church about 11.20 and prepared to set off. I couldn't remember which direction we'd taken last time around, I do remember streams in spate and clag. Today would be much nicer.

uamhx.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

Set off up Auchnashelloch Hill, which had an ATV track to follow then cut across to begin ascending the northeastern shoulder of Uamh Bheag, finding a plank bridge by chance. Not that there was much need for bridges today as the water level was low and the bog factor reduced. Up to the trig marker on Uamh Bheag for lunch then a quick skip to the summit. From here it was a kilometre to the summit of the Donald Top, Meall Clachach - some peat hags to be traversed. back up Uamh and onwards to the intermediate summit of Beinn Odhar. I had been wondering about stalking being on today, having heard a distant shot and sometime after seeing 4 hinds rush away - I could see a couple of folk on the top of Beinn nan Eun and thought they might be stalkers- would I be in for a hard time?

P1170480 by Al, on Flickr

Looking across to the north
P1170481 by Al, on Flickr

Uamh Bheag
P1170482 by Al, on Flickr

Meall Clachach
P1170483 by Al, on Flickr

Summit Uamh Bheag
P1170484 by Al, on Flickr

Down to Meall Clachach
P1170485 by Al, on Flickr

Vorlich & Stuc
P1170486 by Al, on Flickr

Beinn Odhar
P1170487 by Al, on Flickr

P1170489 by Al, on Flickr

As it turned out there wer three older people out enjoying the hill - all Munro compleaists and two of them also Graham completers. We spoke for a while, sharing hill stories then I pressed on down towards Findhu Glen. It was a lovely afternoon now, I had no rush to get to the hotel, so I decided to add on the short steep ascent of Cnoc Brannan. Ben Vorlich and Stuc a'Chroin rose sharply to the northwest and across the road the curved form of Beinn Dearg sat - a challenging Graham that one! Back down to the track and the car for a short drive to Murrayshall Hotel in Perth.

Summit Beinn nan Eun
P1170491 by Al, on Flickr

Cnoc Brannan
P1170493 by Al, on Flickr

Beinn Dearg
P1170494 by Al, on Flickr

Beinn nan Eun
P1170497 by Al, on Flickr

Vorlich & Stuc again
P1170498 by Al, on Flickr

P1170499 by Al, on Flickr

murrayshal.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

The early evening was so fine that I had a look to see if there were any nearby wee hills - Murrayshall Hill was only a mile from the hotel and was a Hump- - Bob's your uncle! Did have to cut across golf courses which were unpopulated, thankfully then a wee rise through the edge of some woods before coming out at the Lynedoch Obelisk - to Lord Lynedoch who fought with Wellington in the Peninsular War. From here a clear path leads to the McDuff Memorial, a folly from the 1780s. The sun was setting beyond the monument as I followed the path down to the road and back to the hotel.

P1170501 by Al, on Flickr

P1170502 by Al, on Flickr

Lynedoch Obelisk
P1170504 by Al, on Flickr

P1170505 by Al, on Flickr

P1170508 by Al, on Flickr

McDuff Monument
P1170510 by Al, on Flickr

P1170513 by Al, on Flickr

[Graeme D]

I could also tick off one of my 4 remaining Donald Tops

As one does!

Very poetic Al, very poetic!

Been a while since I was up Murrayshall. Used to be a regular dog walking haunt before she got to the stage now where she can barely walk the length of the garden!