A true Galloway reminder on Shalloch and Tarfessock

Hill: Shalloch on Minnoch, Tarfessock, 
Category: Corbett/Donald
My granny used to say ‘that’s a long way for a shortcut’ and that’s how I felt about today. It was a bit of fun, it was cold and windy, and a find your way home element to finish with a river crossing.

Bells memorial

The proposed three tops route looked like too long a time challenge so I was glad at the start to hear it was not going to include Kirriereoch. Not only because I had 20k and almost 1000m in my legs from yesterday but also it was a grey day with low cloud. And this was not a traditional route from the start.
We were 30 minutes late in starting as one of the group had not arrived but we could wait no longer so off into the grey day we ventured. Phone signal very poor around here. More of the missing person later.

Ruins

Starting from Bells memorial we followed the track from Laglanny and then the burn to the ruins before entering the start of Galloway’s legendary underfoot carpet of wet bog and tussocks, the joys!!

One fire break that did exist

We clambered through a fire break before following the Shalloch Burn to the edge of the forest, with the crags of Rig of the Shalloch on our left. Found a deer track to follow which eased it a bit. I was cursing as I realised my brand new beanie had fallen from my pocket, a gift, not pleased.

Plenty of follow that burn today

At the end of the trees then straight up to point 659 before heading to the Corbett of Shalloch on Minnoch. We were well and truly in the low cloud and the easterly wind was a lot colder than yesterday’s tops.
Suddenly out of the gloom, heading our way, appeared a figure, it was our missing walker. After missing the start point she opted to do a quick up and down of Shalloch from a different location. Quite a chance encounter.
Lunch at Shalloch’s cairn then across the rugged ridge via the Nick of Carclach to the Donald of Tarfessock.

Tarfessock

From here we headed down in the direction of the cars. Great to get out of the clag and start to get some views. Even better to be sheltered from the wind, it was feeling warm.

Spawn

Lots of small pools laden with frogspawn but no frogs spotted today.
Looking south a group could be seen making the descent from Kirriereoch, so not the only people up here today.

Kirriereoch

At the top of our descent ridge we looked over the ground we had to cover. Hearts sank a bit as we could see that the forestry operations had altered the landscape considerably. Indeed the fire breaks we planned to use as per OS maps no longer existed. The GPS mapped route was no good either. The cars looked a long way away. Needless to say the group were not all in agreement re the best way forward, fun times!
We headed to a new forest track and a short walk up it confirmed the fire breaks were no longer there. 
We decided to skirt the edge of the new plantation hoping to find a break in these dense plantations but nope. 

Crossing the Water of Minnoch

Finally we hit a marked track on the map which we could see started taking us away but no choice other than to follow it to it’s end then head for the Water of Minnoch and walk it back up. Thank god for deer tracks which again eased the walking. Of course we were on the wrong side of the Water but by this time it was a case of, I want home, so wading through, wet feet or not.

Of course the clouds are lifting

Finally a walk up the outward track back to the cars where of course we looked to the hills blue skies and clear tops, the joys of hill walking.
A far longer than planned walk but a good example of how the forestry operations can make a big dent in your plans.

Wildlife: Buzzard, Curlew, Raven, Skylark,
Time: 6.37
Ascent: 827m
Distance: 19.6km

Blue skies for the Glen Sherup circuit

Hills: Tarmangie Hill & Innerdownie
Category: Donald x 2
Height: N/a
A cracking walk on a perfect blue sky day with views to fully appreciate this great landscape. It does not get much better than this for a walk in late March.

Just a few of the geese

A good start was a red squirrel in the trees beside the car park and a huge skein of geese flew over heading north, too warm for them, spring is here.

Nice wee brig along the burn

Rather than follow the woodland start as suggested in most descriptions we walked along the burn before taking a gradual walk up the dry grassy track to meet the original track at the junction with the forest. A good decision as we were in the sun much quicker. So warm that gear was discarded before the climb.

Fife hills and Loch Leven in distance

Already good views, looking back I can see West & East Lomond peeking through the gap.
Superb rolling hills with great views if you ignore the turbines. 

Innerdownie peaking out

Another straightforward uphill ascent and our first summit is reached, Innerdownie. A cooler breeze here so down a slope for elevenses.

North from Innerdownie

The views are outstanding with stacks of white flecked tops as we look north. Some debate re which hills but the Lawers range definitely, Drumochter Hills probably Cairngorms just and many more to argue over. What a cracking viewpoint with conditions allowing you to relax and take it in.

Track to Tarmangie

No navigation problems today as we head straight for Whitewhisp Hill before a 90 degree turn to Tarmangie where the top according to the GPS is the small cairn nearer the fence!! The larger cairn does have the slightly better views.
As expected, on a super day like this, we are not alone, stick figures can be seen on most of the distant and close Ochil tops.
Now the high level return/descent above Glen Sherup.

Ben Shee & Glensherup reservoir

A debate, go up Ben Shee or not, of course we had to. A short steep 100m ascent. Glad we did.
Reservoirs everywhere in this area, from up here we see Lower & Upper Glendevon on our right, I remember a not so fruitful day catching nothing down there. Glensherup down below on our left. A few boats out fishing and a rise in progress as ripples appear all across the water. A good day for fishing for the trout.

Dam

The final descent route twists back round to the dam of Glensherup reservoir before a forest track walk back to the car park.
A super day out in good company with fantastic views, everything a good walk should be. 

Wildlife: Red squirrel, buzzard, magpie, skylark
Time: 5.32
Ascent: 703m
Distance: 16.4km

A lovely spring day on Cleuch & Ever

Hill: Ben Cleuch (stony mountain) & Ben Ever
Category: Graham
Height: 721m
On my way back from Pitlochry I opted to break the trip and meet up with some others to cover these hills, the highest point in the Ochil range of hills. As you drive along to Tillicoultry these hills dwarf over you, very impressive looking indeed. They look steep!!

Mill start

The forecast was for a dry beginning to the day but rain due at 3pm, lets see.
Started at the traditional spot in Upper Mill Street, plenty of walkers getting ready, going to be a busy hill. 
The initial stages are interesting. A good path runs through the woods following the fast running burn, there are a few bridges to cross and height is gained quickly.

Typical waterfall

There are numerous waterfalls of various sizes to keep the snappers happy, the water is flowing fast but I'm sure these can be even more impressive.

Quarry

The only blot on today's landscape is this quarry, it is a huge grim area thankfully now defunct.

A bridge across the gorge

The gorge hemming you in gives a different feel to the start of this hill walk. The dampness from the spray has made the rocks slippy so care required.
The ascent on the far side is rocky so the short scramble is also slippy but easy if care taken.

Looking back from the flanks of The Law to the gorge

What follows is now a good grassy track heading up to The Law. After Thursday’s labours this is a breeze today, blame the bio-rhythm’s. Good views of the surrounding hills and walkers can be seen heading in all directions. As said earlier not a place for solitude today. Also looking back excellent views of the meandering Forth and environs.

Ben Cleugh ahead

The wind is now fierce and cold so extra layering for the walk along the ridge to our target which can be seen.
A fence runs along the top of The Law, handy if weather poor.
Some walkers are coming across from the east having been on Andrew Gannel Hill. 

Trig with its stone surround

The views were excellent showing the full Ochils in all its grandeur. The wind shelter surrounding the trig was welcome to hide from it for a bit and have lunch.

View marker Ever ridge on right

We followed the Walkhighlands route to Ben Ever. We tracked the fence line until it met another fence, but there is a good path, then descended more steeply towards the col which separates Ben Cleuch from Ben Ever. The wind had died, it was warm so a delayering stop.

Fence or track to Ever

Crossed the stile over a fence which lies across the way and continued down the good grassy path up to the cairns on the summit of Ben Ever. 
On a day like today this is a very good viewing position in its own right. Compared to recent walks the ground is really good going, dry with only the occasional peat hag.

Optional ridge descent ahead

For the descent we followed the right hand route descending eventually to Silver Glen where we following the path through the Woodland Park Wood. This would be nicer when the trees were in bloom but still a pleasant stroll back to the start.
Time for a beer in the nearby Woolpack and just as we drove away the heavens opened, good timing for once.
An excellent walk in good company, glad I decided to break the journey home.


Wildlife: Buzzard, Treecreeper, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Robin, Blue Tit,
Time: 4.23
Ascent: 856m
Distance: 11.5k