Glen Douglas Grahams

[Gavin99]

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I had read a couple of nice reports from these hills so with only a small window of decent weather forecast I made an early start and was parked up at NS 310987 for 0800 . Walking towards Invergroin Farm I was met with this festive , if slightly bizzare scene :

Festive sparkle

Just past the farm and across a cattlegrid a gap in the fence allows access to the hill and the long slog up the SE ridge of Tullich Hill . My last day out had been on an ill-fated expedition to Beinn Bhreac-liath when five of us were blown backwards off the hill by a screaming gale . Three days later and here I was wandering up a hill in the dark in flat calm , down to a T-shirt and overheating , what a change ! As I climbed the sky slowly lightened and the views opened up .

Glen Douglas from Tullich Hill

Ben Reoch and Ben Lomond

View south to Luss hills

As I reached the summit of Tullich Hill the sun started to break through the low cloud ,with great views of the Alps to the north and Loch Lomond to the south .

Tullich summit

Sunrise over Beinn Dubh

From Tullich hill I headed NE , descending through crags to reach the bealach at An t-Sreang , losing a lot of height which would have to regained on the short and steep climb up to Ben Reoch . From the bealach a line of iron fenceposts leads uphill through the crags towards the summit .

Onwards to Ben Reoch

Arrochar from descent to bealach

Fenceline

Looking back to Tullich Hill

Summit cairn on Ben Reoch

The cairn is a great vantage point, looking south along the ridge to Beinn Bhreac, east to Ben Lomond and north along the loch to the munros around Crianlarich .

Ridge leading south

Ben Vorlich and Ben Lui (zoomed )

View north

Ben Lomond

The route to Beinn Bhreac is straightforward but crosses through an area of peat hags and bog , before long the ground improves as the ridge rises towards the summit , passing above Firkin Point on the lochside far below. The ground to the east of the summit is not a good place to go wandering , split by fissures and cracks, evidence of massive rock slope failure.

Loch Lomond, landslip features in foreground

By the time I reached the final summit the temperature had dropped and the wind risen so jacket, hat and gloves were back on , a quick snack at the trig point and I set off SW to descend to the corner of the forestry above Invergroin .

Looking back to Tullich Hill (l) and Ben Reoch (r) from the summit

Invergroin , the mornings ascent to the right

Skirting around the west of the plantation on very wet ground brought me back to the layby , completing a very nice circuit , these really are lovely hills , judging by the lack of people and paths a good spot for a bit of peace and quiet too .

[tomyboy73]

good report gavin, i planned on doing these a while back and got soaked in the lower part of the forest and headed home, will keep this report in mind for next time, cheers

[luckyguy68]

Well done on getting so many clear photos on what will probably be the last decent day of the year.

[daveh]

Great report Gavin and pity i was not fit enough to join you.I remember the pull up after Tullich hill and a great wee range of hills.Interesting to note the lack of snow on the Alps at the moment but reckon that will change over next couple of days.
Dave

[malky_c]

Nice - looks better than Christmas Eve!

These hills have great views of the Arrochar Alps. Definitely somewhere to try and sneak off to next time I'm in Glasgow.

[kevsbald]

Nice one, Gav. Looks a lovely wee day out.

[Gavin99]

Hi folks, lovely wee hills indeed , just minutes from the A82 racetrack . Winds under 80 mph are a help too .

[Johnny Corbett]

Nice report thanks for posting, i've had my eye on all the Grahams in that area for a wee while now. Hope to venture there soon