This was walked last year but I've only just written it up.
We have walked from twice from Craiglush to Loch Ordie / Deuchary Hill but this time I started at Guay, just off the A9 South and East of the Ballinluig junction. A mile or so from the A9 there is a sharp left turn with some parking spaces on the right, as the signs say, take care not to park blocking the road. This access point gets you to Loch Ordie quicker than a start from Craiglush Lodge or Cally Sawmill. The sun was out as I headed off Eastwards, looked set for a good day.
- Near the start.
Once the initial climb is done there is a marker post and the path goes right, I headed temporarily to the left to get a better view Northwards along the route of the A9.
- Leftwards for a view North.
Before long the track coming up from the South joined in.
- Looking South at the track up from Raor Lodge.
- Loch Ordie and Lodge
At the top of Loch Ordie I turned left rather than following round the shore and carried on towards Lochan Oisinneach Mòr.
- Over the bridge to circle L. Ordie or left for the path Northwards.
Very pleasant countryside and scenery on the way North from here,
- Creag Liath
A number of decisions to make at junctions but with a bit of thought and a map it was fairly straightforward.
- Past the ruins of a house, next to a tributary of Pitrannoch Burn
There was no sight of the Lochan for a while but eventually Lochan Oisinneach Mòr was seen ahead and today it was pale blue.
- Lochan Oisinneach Mòr
With a few restful places to be taken advantage of at the edge of the Lochan.
- Lochan Oisinneach Mòr
Initially I followed the path to Kirkmichael and this led to Lochan Oisinneach Beag.
- Three Way Signpost
The path here was not very close to the very edge of the Lochan.
- Lochan Oisinneach Beag
And shortly, another choice but, guess what, it was the muddy option to the right to start turning South on the second half of the walk.
- Right fork
Hazy cloud coming over that meant the bright morning sunshine was gone for the rest of the day, Again there were some enticing rest spots at the loch side.
- Lochan Oisinneach Beag from the East
Heading Southwards alongside Buckny Burn after some open moorland, now with Capel Hill to the right.
- Buckney Burn
A bit featureless at times at this stage, the dull sky didn’t help any.
- Blasted Heath, but no Macbeth
Eventually Loch Ordie came into view after a very long right hand turn, that felt more like 180 rather than just 90 degrees, round the slopes of Garbh Chreag.
- Loch Ordie, sunshine a distant memory
And then the hunting lodge, plus crazy dog swimming out to fetch sticks, dog not shown as I just could not get it to sign a photo consent form.
- Loch Ordie Lodge
If I had been energetic enough I could have made a 3-4km detour via Deuchary Hill on the way back, but having been there twice before I chose to opt out this time.
- Last section
Overall nothing too strenuous, lots of gentle ups and downs and three different Lochs to keep an eye on as I walked around them.
