walkhighlands

Share your personal walking route experiences in Scotland, and comment on other peoples' reports.
Warning Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. Summer routes may not be viable or appropriate in winter. See winter information on our skills and safety pages for more information.

October light

October light


Postby HalfManHalfTitanium » Fri Oct 18, 2019 5:37 pm

Route description: Ben Challum, near Tyndrum

Munros included on this walk: Beinn Eunaich, Beinn Udlamain, Ben Challum, Càrn Liath (Beinn a' Ghlò), Sgàirneach Mhòr, Stob a' Choire Odhair

Date walked: 15/10/2019

7 people think this report is great.
Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).

A wet week in October in the Highlands, who would have thought it.

However, there was occasional sunshine between the showers, and some beautiful effects of light and shade. So I thought it was worth posting up the best photos from the week, from across Perthshire and Argyll, as a single TR.

My first day was Sgairneach Mhor and Beinn Udlamain, in rain and low cloud, so no pics of that day. The next day I set off for Stob a'Choire Odhair, a hill I have often admired from Rannoch Moor. This is looking back to Victoria Bridge.

ImageIMG_6231 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

The school at Clashgour. Was it a gentler era back then? - or was it all rickets and Hitler?

ImageIMG_6257 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Looking back from the school towards Beinn an Dothaidh

ImageIMG_6260 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Hello

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Log outside the school door

ImageIMG_6278 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Stob Ghabhar

ImageIMG_6345 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

A nice cairn on the summit of Stob a'Choire Odhair

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

A break in the clouds on the way down and sunshine on Bridge of Orchy

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Light on Beinn Achaladair

ImageIMG_6317 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Taken from the same spot, a glimpse of Coirein Lochain

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Slopes of Beinn an Dothaidh

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

A wider view

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Scabious near Allt Toaig

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

One of many waterfalls and one of many old walls

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Some nice heather and lichen on the way down, on one of walls near the Allt Toaig and the school. This area carries a strong sense of its departed population, atmospherically described in dogplodder's TR "Where are the children now in the glens of the Black Mount?" - https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=38867

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Late afternoon light on the Abhainn Shira and the slabby west ridge of Beinn nan Aighenan

ImageIMG_6381 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Fading light

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

The next day, MWIS forecast heavy rain and, more worryingly, dangerously high winds on the tops. So I spent the morning in the civilised surroundings of the Mill bookshop and cafe in Aberfeldy. But then the sun came out and I visited the charming gardens at Bolfracks

ImageIMG_6458 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

ImageIMG_6481 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Glen Lyon hills above the gunnera

ImageIMG_6483 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Cioch Mhor and Meall Tairneachan from the gardens

ImageIMG_6578 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Autumnal scenes

ImageIMG_6512 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

ImageIMG_5929 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

ImageIMG_5821 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

ImageIMG_6552 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Then I went on to the Croftmoraig stone circle

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

ImageIMG_6627 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

And the shores of Loch Tay near Kenmore

ImageIMG_6690 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

ImageIMG_6670 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

After that I did the short walk up to the Falls of Acharn. Fungi were much in evidence

ImageIMG_6695 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

This whole walk was a delight. I did it in reverse from the WH route, and I was pleased I chose to do that. I think it is nicer to go uphill through the woodland, and downhill on the track

ImageIMG_6698 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Note the brown-stained waters from the recent rain, like something Augustus Gloop would fall into

ImageIMG_6719 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Doing the route this way round saves the Hermit's Cave and its secret view of the Falls as a final treat

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Peaty waterfall

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Meall Greigh from the entrance to the Hermit's Cave

ImageIMG_6723 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Bucolic scenes on the way down

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Arcady, Perthshire

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Back down on the road in Acharn. Tescos has a lot to answer for

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

I would also really recommend adding to this walk the short stroll along the riverside path to the loch shore. This gives wonderful views across the water towards the Lawers range

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

The road along the south side of Loch Tay was very scenic

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

The next day followed the same pattern - wet and windy in the west, marginally better further east. I drove over to Blair Atholl and walked up the superbly-constructed path on Carn Liath

Loch Moraig

ImageIMG_6784 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Summit of Carn Liath, a breezy spot

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

After that I went on to Killin where the river was in full force after the recent rains

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

The following day I explored part of the old kingdom of Dalriada, and some remnants of even earlier times.

Loch Awe and Kilchurn Castle

ImageIMG_6831 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Crinan canal at Cairnbaan

ImageIMG_6849 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

On the woodland path to "the most extensive prehistoric rock carvings in the UK" - the Achnabreck cup and ring marked rocks at Cairnbaan

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Some fine examples!

ImageIMG_6927 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

The area around the carvings is beautiful

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Lochgilphead from the carvings

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Oystercatchers photobombing the bottom right corner at Lochgilphead

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Lochgilphead again

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

In the old churchyard at Kilmartin, a few words tell a sad story

ImageIMG_7041 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

An array of standing stones and burial chambers, all in a small area

ImageIMG_7012 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

ImageIMG_7054 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

ImageIMG_7079 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Like a sacred grove from The Golden Bough

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

ImageIMG_7094 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Spooky lights, don't know how that happened

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

I went on to the Ben Cruachan Inn at Lochawe to meet friends - our base for the next few days. This is the view of the loch from the pub

ImageIMG_7122 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Pass of Brander from the playground at the Cruachan power station visitor centre

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Lunch with a view of the Calmacs

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Dessert with a view of tartan

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

We walked up to the Cruachan dam, engineering on an epic scale

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Views over Loch Awe

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

ImageIMG_7210 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

We descended to the pub via the dam service road, with many interesting things to see along the way.

ImageIMG_7370 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Farmageddon

ImageIMG_7374 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Pass of Brander

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Had to snap this, even though the rain was pouring down. Boris Johnson says the UK will make "a titanic success" of Brexit, perhaps this is his lifeboat

ImageIMG_7376 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

The line of light is not a divine ray, just the camera lens is still wet
ImageIMG_7348 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

ImageIMG_7362 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

ImageIMG_7379 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

ImageIMG_7378 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Oban

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

The next day we walked up Ben Challum in wind and rain.

ImageIMG_7437 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

But the weather gods relented on the way down and we got some views - this is looking back as the cloud cleared off the summit ridge

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Ben Lui group

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Ben Vorlich

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Stob Binnein

ImageIMG_7573 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Beinn Ime

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Cloud clearing off An Caisteal

ImageIMG_7587 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Some mountains are attractive and full of character

ImageIMG_7565 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Others are just big

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Hello again

ImageIMG_7680 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Crianlarich hills

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

a view from a bridge

ImageIMG_7705 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

The last walk of our trip was Beinn Eunaich - this is the track near Castles Farm

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Chair of the reception committee

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Junior members

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Dalmally Horseshoe from the path

ImageIMG_7730 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Flower of Scotland

ImageIMG_7833 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Natural bridge in the stream

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Loch Awe and Kilchurn Castle from the corrie below Lairig Ianachain

ImageIMG_7820 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Beinn Chochuill from the Lairig

ImageIMG_7794 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Beinn Eunaich was a small landmark for me. My 95th Munro, which means I am one-third of the way through the list.

I am unlikely to ever climb all the Munros, and it is not really an objective of mine.

But Munro’s list encourages me to explore different parts of the Highlands - my favourite thing about the Scottish hills is their extraordinary variety. So here’s to the next 95!

ImageUntitled by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
User avatar
HalfManHalfTitanium
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 2992
Munros:119   Corbetts:28
Fionas:6   Donalds:6
Hewitts:152
Wainwrights:103   
Joined: Mar 11, 2015

Re: October light

Postby Grisu » Fri Oct 18, 2019 10:13 pm

Impressive documentation of your week! Blue sky can be so boring compared to these scenic pictures! Scotland simply at its best, thanks! :clap:
User avatar
Grisu
Walker
 
Posts: 492
Munros:100   Corbetts:3
Fionas:2   
Hewitts:33
Wainwrights:27   
Joined: Mar 13, 2017
Location: Norden, Germany

Re: October light

Postby allymacp » Sat Oct 19, 2019 12:25 am

Dude some of these images are incredible, superb work! Those fauna pictures really are something and a wonderful document of your adventure. Best of luck on those next 95!!
User avatar
allymacp
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 46
Munros:147   Corbetts:23
Fionas:14   Donalds:21
Sub 2000:10   
Joined: Aug 5, 2013

Re: October light

Postby Hillbeback » Sat Oct 19, 2019 3:19 pm

Hi Tim,

Shame you didn't get very good weather this time in Scotland however you still managed to climb some Munros. Good photos to add to your report :clap: It doesn't always have to be lovely blue skies to make a good image. :thumbup:

Hopefully next year if you are heading back up here we will be able to meet up and add a few more to your total of 95.

The weather forecast continues to be disappointing here. Looking forward to some clear, frosty days.

Moira :)
User avatar
Hillbeback
 
Posts: 77
Munros:67   Corbetts:6
Fionas:4   Donalds:4
Sub 2000:4   
Joined: Oct 26, 2015
Location: Falkirk

Re: October light

Postby HalfManHalfTitanium » Sat Oct 19, 2019 5:34 pm

Hillbeback wrote:Hi Tim,

Shame you didn't get very good weather this time in Scotland however you still managed to climb some Munros. Good photos to add to your report :clap: It doesn't always have to be lovely blue skies to make a good image. :thumbup:

Hopefully next year if you are heading back up here we will be able to meet up and add a few more to your total of 95.

The weather forecast continues to be disappointing here. Looking forward to some clear, frosty days.

Moira :)


thanks so much Moira!

Hope Spain was good!

Tim
User avatar
HalfManHalfTitanium
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 2992
Munros:119   Corbetts:28
Fionas:6   Donalds:6
Hewitts:152
Wainwrights:103   
Joined: Mar 11, 2015

Re: October light

Postby HalfManHalfTitanium » Sat Oct 19, 2019 8:47 pm

Grisu wrote:Impressive documentation of your week! Blue sky can be so boring compared to these scenic pictures! Scotland simply at its best, thanks! :clap:


Thanks very much! Glad you enjoyed the photos - I managed to avoid the raindrops on the camera lens (mostly...)

Thanks!
Tim
User avatar
HalfManHalfTitanium
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 2992
Munros:119   Corbetts:28
Fionas:6   Donalds:6
Hewitts:152
Wainwrights:103   
Joined: Mar 11, 2015

Re: October light

Postby HalfManHalfTitanium » Sun Oct 20, 2019 5:33 pm

allymacp wrote:Dude some of these images are incredible, superb work! Those fauna pictures really are something and a wonderful document of your adventure. Best of luck on those next 95!!


Thanks very much! - cheers!

Tim
User avatar
HalfManHalfTitanium
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 2992
Munros:119   Corbetts:28
Fionas:6   Donalds:6
Hewitts:152
Wainwrights:103   
Joined: Mar 11, 2015

Re: October light

Postby Bridge » Sun Oct 20, 2019 8:13 pm

Wonderful pictures!
Bridge
Walker
 
Posts: 17
Munros:84   
Joined: May 28, 2016
Location: Hertfordshire

Re: October light

Postby HalfManHalfTitanium » Mon Oct 21, 2019 6:28 pm

Bridge wrote:Wonderful pictures!


Thanks very much! (The scenery and effects of light did make it easy for me I must admit)

Tim
User avatar
HalfManHalfTitanium
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 2992
Munros:119   Corbetts:28
Fionas:6   Donalds:6
Hewitts:152
Wainwrights:103   
Joined: Mar 11, 2015

Re: October light

Postby maxie23 » Mon Oct 21, 2019 6:32 pm

Tim.

Cracking report.
What an interesting week you had.
Love the photos, Autumn is a fantastic time for colour changes and contrasts..
Very deep comment, 'The school at Clashgour. Was it a gentler era back then? - or was it all rickets and Hitler?'
Or was it tongue in cheek ?
Keep up the good work.

Regards.

Robert.
User avatar
maxie23
 
Posts: 176
Munros:67   Corbetts:16
Fionas:3   Donalds:4
Sub 2000:3   
Joined: Jul 24, 2015
Location: Central Scotland

Re: October light

Postby HalfManHalfTitanium » Tue Oct 22, 2019 7:29 pm

maxie23 wrote:Tim.

Cracking report.
What an interesting week you had.
Love the photos, Autumn is a fantastic time for colour changes and contrasts..
Very deep comment, 'The school at Clashgour. Was it a gentler era back then? - or was it all rickets and Hitler?'
Or was it tongue in cheek ?
Keep up the good work.

Regards.

Robert.


Cheers Robert! - thanks very much!

Can’t remember if I meant it tongue in cheek or not... I guess life was probably simpler in some ways - and an awful lot harder in others!

Tim
User avatar
HalfManHalfTitanium
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 2992
Munros:119   Corbetts:28
Fionas:6   Donalds:6
Hewitts:152
Wainwrights:103   
Joined: Mar 11, 2015

Re: October light

Postby EmmaKTunskeen » Thu Oct 24, 2019 10:21 am

Wonderful! I'm stuck at home in excruciating pain from shingles in my thigh, or at least I was until I went on this virtual wander. Thoroughly enjoyed Argyll and co in Autumn light through your lens, and glad you had such a cracking week. :clap:
User avatar
EmmaKTunskeen
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 348
Munros:32   Corbetts:28
Fionas:12   Donalds:14
Sub 2000:4   Hewitts:50
Wainwrights:41   Islands:24
Joined: Aug 19, 2016
Location: was West Sussex, now Ayrshire

7 people think this report is great.
Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).




Can you help support Walkhighlands?


Our forum is free from adverts - your generosity keeps it running.
Can you help support Walkhighlands and this community by donating by direct debit?



Return to Walk reports - Scotland

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: WalkingWithKids and 73 guests