Blood shed on Ben Bowie

Ben Bowie (some maps have it as Ben Bouie) 314m
Sub2000/Marilyn
Another fantastic winters day with clear blue skies forecast so an opportunity not to be missed. The good lady came along so it had to be scenic and straightforward.
We headed to Balloch, temperature -6.5, a very cold start. The walk took in part of the 3 Lochs trail which I completed with a group a few months ago but we excluded Ben Bowie that day, so that was our objective.

Open moorland the coffin trail

From the Lomond Shores follow the marked sign taking the footbridge over the A82 then straight uphill via the road before it breaks out into open landscape. The views across Loch Lomond are already starting to open up.

The coffin stone, ignore my shadow

Followed the old coffin road until we reached the fence and the coffin stone, resting place for the coffin and spend a few minutes soaking in the views, the loch and snow covered hills, superb. 

The tree climb

Then we followed the deforested landscape trail until the short climb through the woods. Ben Bowie can be seen from here but a short detour first.

Ben Bowie ahead

Up to Gouk Hill viewpoint and a surprise for the good lady, the fir tree with all its Xmas decorations. I believe local children do this good work. The last time I was here rain spoiled the view but no such barriers today. Fantastic view of the Luss hills, Ben Lomond, Loch Lomond and much, much more. Scenery to die for, quite a view.

Gouk Hill Xmas tree

To get to Bowie Hill I followed the John Muir trail for about a quarter of a mile. Where I expected the forest trail to be is now a deforested zone and very unappealing walking. So back up the track to the fence line. Previous reports on Walkhighlands have this as a bog but thankfully the severe cold has made the walking relatively easy. 

The fence trail, the deer were crossing the gap between the trees from our left to right

I picked a spot to climb the barbed wire fence and then clambered up the heather slopes to the high point. Checked GPS reading but another point looked possibly higher so tramped across to it to find GPS reading said it was 2 metres lower, just my eyes. Not sure why some stones lying about. Mrs B hung about at the fence, no barbed wire climbing for her.

View from the 2 metres lower top

Back over again and a trail was found taking me back to the fence about 50 metres down from where I crossed and guess what, barbed wire covered over an easy crossing.
Now the fun began, we spotted a pair of roe deer down below on our track. One jumped the fence, the other ran up and down the side of it, not prepared to jump. It had spotted us descending and then jumped the fence but got tangled. It was thrashing away so we hurried down. Its right hoof had somehow twisted the barbed wire around it really tight. It looked at us with its big sad eyes but calmed down and we managed to get walking pole tips wedged in enough to raise just enough space to free it. I had my hand on the hoof to push as well. However, when freed, the tension in the barbed wire sprung back and took its frustration out on my hand, multiple barb cuts and lots of blood as Bambi looked back at us before entering the trees. No camera snaps of the deer as it did not feel right clicking on a trapped and distressed animal, it’s rescue came first.
First aid kit finally in use from bottom of rucksack and then the walk back to Balloch without incident.

Deforestation viewed through some of the remaining trees

So another hill climbed on a beautiful day with a memory I will never forget. Take care, Bambi.

Time: 3hr 46min.
Ascent: 484
Distance: 14.53