free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
I had just been away on a camping trip with my girlfriend to Glen Etive, and had extremely itchy feet, as I couldn't get up any of the incredible hills around us. We had a fantastic night, wild camping by the river, and it just fueled the desire to do more, and more remote locations.
Anyway, I spent the night in Edinburgh, and it was a stunning day in the capital. I was quite keen for a chilled day in the sun, till my girlfriends mother suggested a day doing the garden!! I was at the foot of Carn Gorm within two hours!!!
The little car park was quite full, but I managed to find a little verge, and after being diverted from the original path, passing a couple of old buildings, I was on the track heading towards Carn Gorm.
- Old mill hut?
- River down the valley
The path was very straight forward, with no dramas. Big views over Perthshire opened up, it was fantastic. I met a few who had just gone up Carn Gorm, and told me the views were spectacular.
- Gaining height
The wind started to pick up, as seems to be the case every time I am up, but I managed to get my pipes out and get a tune with Loch Tay in the background! Successful day out already!
- Carn Gorm bagpiped
It was fantastic looking over the Ben Lawers range, which I had done a couple of 2 weeks previously. I looked ahead at the hills still to come, and they seemed fairly straight forward, so off I went.
- Ben Lawers range
By now the hard part was over, so I was enjoying walking between the hills, taking in the views. I met another couple of walkers, and directed them to Carn Gorm, The summit of Meall Garbh was a bit of a mess to be honest, with all the fence posts etc, but still, I made it!
- Meall Garbh Bagpiped
The wind was really picking up now, and was making things difficult. Wind chill was starting to take an affect too, but I kept going, I was having a great time after all.
Carn Mairg was achieved, again after a great ridge walk, taking in all the views. It really is the best day out, doing all the hard climbing at the start. It was here I got my best views of Schehalion, a hill I cannot wait to climb this summer hopefully!
- Carn Mairg bagpiped, Schehallion in background
Wind now was a serious issue, and I was considering bailing out, but I figured I had come this far, and there didn't seem to be and dangerous areas that could cause trouble. The ascent to Creag Mhor was a bit sheltered, and I was able to gain some shelter to get a tune played. I took time to look back over the range, and bask in what had been a good achievement.
- Creag Mhor bagpiped
The route down was a bit of a slog, and somehow I managed to lose a glove! But I got to the car about 7 hours after leaving.
I stopped off in Calender for a well earned burger in the Waverly hotel, and slept well when I made it home.
I will be raining money for Heart and Stroke Scotland soon. Please follow me on facebook - Munrobagpiper or on twitter @munrobagpiper to keep upto date with developments.