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Last of the 140 donalds - Uamh Bheag

Last of the 140 donalds - Uamh Bheag


Postby jaffa61 » Wed Jul 29, 2015 9:43 pm

Fionas included on this walk: Uamh Bheag

Donalds included on this walk: Uamh Bheag

Date walked: 25/07/2015

Time taken: 6 hours

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It’s sadly came to the time when the years of trudging in cloud over pathless tussocky grass and bogs, following a fence to a wee pile of stones masquerading as a cairn (!) all while the elements are chuckin it down, come to an end.
Only kidding, the round of the Donalds was fantastic. :lol:
Yes final Donald and tops time.
Seems a lifetime ago – 30 years ish – since the days when the ticks started to appear in the Tables, starting on Tinto and in the Ochils :shock:
So its’ Uamh Bheag and its' Top Meall Clachach.
Friends Gus,Martin,Iain and my dog Hamish set out from the usual Church car park in Glen Artney, then it was along the road
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The weather was excellent at this time, no sign of the rain forecast for "East of Callander between 10am and 4pm" :roll:
We then arrived at a bridge over the river and turned left through a gate, then along a faint path by the side of the river. Muddy in places.
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Path along river

When Allt Ollach is reached turn uphill to reach bridge over it.
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Bridge over Allt Ollach

After that it's the very steep pull up Am Beannan, but the best of this is the height gained quickly .Once at top, time for a good bit of loafing about and having some lunch.
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Hamish with Am Beannan behind

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Route behind

Then it was on over faint path to Meall Clachach.Beware, the big boulder at the fence on this hill isn't the true summit! Almost missed it and had to climb fence and head a bit further West to bag this Donald Top.
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Ben Vorlich and Stuc a'chroin under darkening skies

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Hamish and I, destination behind

So then it was time to head towards the Last Donald.
As I walked up the slope by the fence my mind went back to Donalds climbed over the last few decades: Walking the Ochils and their superb steep sided glens, going over peat hags and heather in the Moorfoots and the awesome walks in Galloway, especially the Loch Enoch circuit.
So Hamish and I arrived at the top first , followed by Gus, Martin and Iain , A wee dram of malt was consumed to celebrate. The views from this hill are awesome over central Scotland. I could see as far south as the Campsies, West to Arran and North to Ben Lawers and other Munros on the Southern Highlands.
It had taken 6 hrs to go up and down but that included a lot of loafing about. The rain came on as photos were taken but didn't spoil a superb walk.
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Callander and the Trossachs

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The guys at the top with the famous Herman Munster

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Hamish and I at top
jaffa61
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 31
Munros:202   Corbetts:36
Fionas:41   Donalds:89+52
Sub 2000:64   Hewitts:3
Wainwrights:11   Islands:7
Joined: Apr 29, 2014

Re: Last of the 140 donalds - Uamh Bheag

Postby PeteR » Wed Jul 29, 2015 11:22 pm

Congratulations on compleating the Donalds and their tops :clap:

Like you I've certainly enjoyed the Donalds, particularly over the last couple of years. They provide a good walk and a great alternative to long drives north in search of Munros and Corbetts when perhaps the weather isn't great :D
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PeteR
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 2107
Munros:282   Corbetts:173
Fionas:121   Donalds:89+52
Sub 2000:200   Hewitts:3
Islands:9
Joined: Jan 27, 2010
Location: North Ayrshire

Re: Last of the 140 donalds - Uamh Bheag

Postby robertphillips » Thu Jul 30, 2015 8:57 am

well done great walk this one :clap: :clap:
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robertphillips
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 300
Munros:282   Corbetts:222
Fionas:219   Donalds:89+52
Sub 2000:423   Hewitts:179
Wainwrights:214   Islands:39
Joined: Dec 28, 2010
Location: Kilbirnie North Ayrshire

Re: Last of the 140 donalds - Uamh Bheag

Postby jaffa61 » Thu Jul 30, 2015 9:44 am

Thanks everyone. As far as meall clachach true top is , the point at the big boulder by the fence does not match the grid ref in Donald's tables. You need to climb fence and walk for say 50 yards. The top is obvious in clear weather, although until Martin pointed it out I hadn't checked the grid ref on sat nav.
jaffa61
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 31
Munros:202   Corbetts:36
Fionas:41   Donalds:89+52
Sub 2000:64   Hewitts:3
Wainwrights:11   Islands:7
Joined: Apr 29, 2014

Re: Last of the 140 donalds - Uamh Bheag

Postby spiderwebb » Thu Jul 30, 2015 3:25 pm

Congratulations on your achievement :clap:

A lifetime of memories :D
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spiderwebb
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 1515
Munros:97   Corbetts:15
Fionas:3   Donalds:1
Hewitts:108
Wainwrights:68   
Joined: May 18, 2011
Location: Miltonduff, Elgin

Re: Last of the 140 donalds - Uamh Bheag

Postby Gordie12 » Thu Jul 30, 2015 7:20 pm

Congratulations and a good choice to finish on.

I remember the climb up Am Beannan well - pretty dam steep but at least it doesn't go on for too long.

Great pics of your day.
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Gordie12
Wanderer
 
Posts: 2152
Munros:114   Corbetts:65
Fionas:30   Donalds:38+0
Sub 2000:35   Hewitts:37
Wainwrights:32   
Joined: Sep 6, 2012
Location: Nr Forfar

Re: Last of the 140 donalds - Uamh Bheag

Postby Graeme D » Fri Jul 31, 2015 8:58 pm

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:
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Graeme D
 
Posts: 3996
Munros:251   Corbetts:123
Fionas:75   Donalds:22
Sub 2000:59   Hewitts:36
Wainwrights:28   Islands:6
Joined: Oct 17, 2008
Location: Perth

Re: Last of the 140 donalds - Uamh Bheag

Postby jaffa61 » Sat Aug 01, 2015 12:33 am

lol :D :D :D :D
jaffa61
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 31
Munros:202   Corbetts:36
Fionas:41   Donalds:89+52
Sub 2000:64   Hewitts:3
Wainwrights:11   Islands:7
Joined: Apr 29, 2014

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