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- Scotland is just stunning!
Having been up a few hills over the last year, my best friend decided she fancied coming with me on my next adventure. We set a date and toyed with which one we wanted to do. We eventually settled on Ben Vane but after looking on the highland walks website I saw how people were also incorporating Ben Vorlich too, so I printed off the details.
We sat off from home at 05:40hrs and headed from Ayrshire to Loch Lomond, eating some porridge in the car at Inveruglas. As we got ourselves ready a small bird the size of a robin came up to me as I was putting on my boots - I put some of the leftover porridge on my finger and it came right up and ate it out of my hand, it really was lovely and I love when animals/wee creatures are not scared of you.
Leaving the car and starting out at 07:30 we walked up past the Hydro along the path and turned right under the railway, walking up the road roughly 1/1.5 miles we came to the first signpost, took a selfie and then discussed if we wanted to do Ben Vane or Ben Vorlich - as it was my friends first Munro we tossed a coin.
Heading up Ben VorlichHeading further up the road the Dam started to come in to view - as well as the bridge that had been stated on the walk report for Ben Vane, we then realised that if we had taken the left at the signpost we would have got ourselves lost. We carried on along the road as the coin had decided our adventure for the day.
- Sloy Dam
We found the path on the right hand side which resembled more like stairs if I am honest. We continued up the path taking a few breaks (we were not in any rush) and sitting on rocks to take in the views. The weather at this point was sunny with a few clouds (although not many) in the sky. We could not see the top of the mountain. We kept going with a few people passing us.
The path was steep and relentless but we kept plodding upwards into the clouds. A few times you really have to look for the path - but it is definetly there although its not a clear path that you can see well in advance. The views down into Sloy Dam were pretty amazing and over to Loch Lomond ( i think) was just stunning.
- Stunning Views along Loch Lomond
- Loch Lomond I think
The further up you get it becomes less steep with a few bits that are enjoyable but it is a good thing due to the clouds we couldn't see all the way up, as there were 2 or 3 false summits.
- Sloy Dam from the clouds
- Getting higher now
We just laughed and plodded on eventually getting to the top where we could see absolutely nothing! Bit windy so we took our obligatory selfies and found a boulder to sit behind and have some lunch and had a chat with a lovely woman who then said she was going to do Ben Vane - fair play to her!
Back down and the walking poles were a godsend. I am normally struggling with my knees but honestly came down no probs. Mountain was starting to get busy and we stopped and chatted with everyone who was coming up past and passing the time of day with them. The day was a bit nicer when we came out of the clouds and the views we had missed on the way up were stunning to say the least.
Back down to the stairs (I mean path) with no issues other than slightly tired feet we decided to walk the half mile or so to Sloy Dam...... literally about 5 mins along there were cows on the road which didn't bother me..... until I saw the Bull!!! There was no chance in hell we were going to pass the big fella so we decided to head back and agreed we could do that the next time. I reckoned there is a reason there are warning signs on fields to beware of the bull so wasn't taking any chances.
Back to the car park and some of the people we had met were starting to arrive too.... were we really that slow? Hey it doesnt matter - we had a great day, very relaxed, our own pace and good fun.
Very proud of my friend as I think if that had been my first Munro I don't think I would have made arrangments to do another next month. So roll on Ben Vane on 25th Sept and lets hope the Bull doesnt make an appearance.
Can't believe I printed off two maps thinking we might do two!!! Beginners eh???
