. by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrThe reflection of Schiehallion is out of line with the real Schiehallion.
Has it been pulled sideways by the force of gravity?
"Read the scene where gravity is pulling me around
Peel back the mountains."
(REM, Feeling Gravity's Pull)
Of course, my walk had to start with the memorial.
IMG_0002 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrMuch of my doctorate dealt with the history of science, and I'm always astonished by what was achieved in past times with rudimentary equipment and sheer hard work. The Schiehallion Experiment is a classic example of that heroic age of science. Wikipedia states:
"The density of the Earth had been computed with an error of less than 20%... a testament to the accuracy of Maskelyne's astronomical observations."
And Hutton's calculations (apart from its by-product, the invention of contour lines) led him to conclude correctly that the core of the earth must be made of dense metal.
I took no photos on the gradual ascent to the summit ridge. The morning was overcast and dull, with a steely brooding sky. The surrounding hills were featureless dark outlines against the sky. After a full-on soaking the previous day on Ben Ledi, I was glad that at least I wasn't being rained on... but it would be nice to have some sunshine.
Ben Chonzie on the left hand skyline, and Ben Lawers on the right.
IMG_0003 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrAnd then, just after I reached the high cairn where the constructed path ends, I glimpsed some gaps in the clouds, and could see Dunalastair Water below.
IMG_0005 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrA tiny speck of blue (top right of photo)
. by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrI walked along the summit ridge, with hopes of improvements in the view. This is the circular shelter just before the final rise towards the summit, with a view of distant sunlit fields in the valley of the Tay.
. by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrAnd then - some spots of real sunshine.
. by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrLooking down towards the River Tummel.
. by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrAnd then, as I reached the summit, the magic happened. The clouds all ripped apart.
IMG_0010 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrLoch Rannoch stretching far into the west.
IMG_0013 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrLooking back along the summit ridge.
IMG_0008 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrCloud still swirling around the Glen Lyon hills.
. by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrDunalastair Water
. by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrA small bit of magic close to hand - this fern was growing in a crevice right next to the cairn.
. by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrKinloch Rannoch.
IMG_0011 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrA wider view.
. by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrOn the way down - note the circular lichen on the nearest boulder.
. by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrAfter getting back to the car, I drove over to Loch Rannoch to see the famous view of Schiehallion. There was a sense of the loch stretching out towards the open wastes of Rannoch Moor, and glimpses of peaks in the faraway west. And the little bays and shores of the loch had their own kind of magic...
. by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
. by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
. by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
. by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
. by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
. by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
IMG_7548 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
