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With the forecast looking sunny and with very little wind it was a good opportunity to take in Ben Lawyers and Beinn Ghlas. With the clocks changing, it was an early start to make sure we had enough time to take in these two and a optimistic possibility of carrying on and Doing An Stuc.
- The lovely little bridge you drive over on the way to the car park
- Beinn Ghlas from the car park
The way up to the car park brings into view Bein Ghlas and with us being only the fourth car to park up raised my hopes of a relatively people free walk. That hope was quickly dashed when within the next ten minutes car after car arrived and also a couple of mini buses from Edinburgh University parked up and unloaded their eager passengers. I couldn’t blame them as conditions were great for climbing and I’m sure everyone was keen to get out on their walk.
So we set off through the gate and as instructed kept to the left path which would wind its way up Beinn Glas. We could see all the groups in front of us and after going through the second gate we began to catch up with the walkers in front.
- Mrs Jockstar heading for Beinn Ghlas
There was a great combination of experience and first timers (as in first Monro) whom we met along the way and would update each other on the path up as people took breathers. So it was a socially pleasant time and also meeting Louie the cocker spaniel who was having a ball. As we climbed, the cloud lying on top of Loch Tay became clear.
- The cloud covering Loch Tay
Also the higher we went Ice and frost was starting to appear. It was the first sign this year that we were going to have to be a bit careful where to put our feet especially as we got nearer to Beinn Ghlas.
- brrrr...its starting to get a bit cold and frost is forming
However after a wee bit of scrambling we made it to the cairn and managed to get the photos before the next walkers appeared.
- Su at the top of Bein Ghlas
After only a short stop we headed on to the bealach and an easy stroll down before starting to climb up to Ben Lawyers. The weather however had started to change and before we knew it we were in the mist. I managed to get a photograph before it disappeared into the low cloud.
- Ben Lawers before disappearing into the low cloud
On the way up there was a wall of stone that was frozen and looking rather splendid with the ice particles glistening.
- Su in front of the frozen wall of stone
We continued on and steadily made our way up to the top; only having a bit of a scramble to go round some ice that had formed on the ‘path’. We reached the top and found ourselves with the decision to make about going on to An Stuc.
- Su at the trig point on Ben Lawers
I decided to go further along the path and see if the mist would clear once we started to go down towards An Stuc. However, it wasn’t shifting and made the decision that we would leave it for another day. So we headed back to Ben Lawyers to find the whole of Edinburgh University on the top (slight exaggeration!).
- Su showing her expertise in dancing on ice !
Also we came across this large piece of the mountain that was frozen ....
- The frozen boulder
We headed slowly back down the Bealach, and decided to take the path alongside the side of Bein Ghlas and heading for Meall nan Tarmachan. This was a pleasant walk and when the mist cleared as we descended we had a clear view across to Glen Lyon.
- Mr and Mrs Jockstar with Glen Lyon in the background
After having a quick look at the way up to Meall nan Tarmachan. We made a mental note of coming back another day to do a quick ascent.
So in conclusion it was a great days walking at a fairly easy pace and with the weather
being so good it gave us the satisfaction of knowing we had enjoyed a lovely November
day in Perthshire.