Just a half a ramble today.....Beinn Bhreac Cairngorm

Hill: Beinn Bhreac (Cairngorm) (Speckled Hill)

Type: Munro

Height: 930m

I was still feeling tightness and tenderness with the medial calf that I strained a few weeks ago so I was a bit troubled about what to do today. I had signed up for this walk which I knew should be a straightforward Munro double. The distance was the issue as I was not convinced that the calf would survive a 30k hike so I opted to reduce that by cycling to Derry Lodge. My plan was to decide after Beinn Bhreac whether to continue or not but the tightness/pain had gone up a few notches on the morning of the walk so decision made, just a single Munro.

Derry Cairngorm in the shade, Carn a' Mhain left of centre

At the Linn of Dee start Gillian from ADRC was the only other walker apart from the guide. After I had told the organiser I was cycling part of it it appeared that we all did. We all cycled the almost 4 miles to Derry Lodge which was less than 30 minutes from Linn of Dee, where the walk officially started, time saved. Heard a cuckoo calling, must be about time for the males to start migrating back to Africa.

Start of ATV track

Views opening up Tor of Beinn Mheadhoin

All the reports that I had read described walking a kilometre before cutting up the hill. But after only a couple of minutes the guide surprised me by heading off up an ATV track. His reasoning was that it was less boggy and less populated. Both correct as no-one else was seen on this route until we neared the normal track.

1st view of Beinn Bhreac on left we continue up to the right

This turned out to be a nice gradient and a pleasant walk, the weather good. Views getting better as we rose. We continued on the ATV track almost to the top of Meall an Lundain at 777m.

Full view of Beinn Bhreac 

Just before the top we headed cross country. We dropped about 70m and the terrain involved a lot of dodging the many peat hags. I could see a couple of walkers about half way up the final pull to the coll of Beinn Bhreac. There were other walkers around but I recognised their outfits as being the pair who were just in front of us at Derry Lodge. Although I enjoyed the different route it was a longer walk, added another 70m of ascent and about 30 minutes extra to the top. No issue for me but If I had been doing both it added extra on an already long day.

Ascent track on right, descent on left

Looking at the final climb our route was taking us up via a clear path on the eastern side but slightly further west walkers were using another track, the main one.

A straightforward ascent, losing and re finding the track a few times but no difficulty to the ridge.

The cairn was a short crossing across the boulder field but pretty easy going normally but today the rocky terrain was testing my calf. 

View to Lochnagar

Beinn a' Chaorainn in the centre

Great views all round. A bit hazy over to the Lochnagar group but the main view dominated by Derry Cairngorm and the torr's on Beinn Mheadhoin were spectacular.

With regret I had to leave the others. Disappointed as the other Munro involved no major ascent but as said not for me today.

I wandered across the stony terrain before deciding to just head down where I soon picked up the main track. I could see a small cairn in the distance. Again the track came and went but just headed to the cairn and picked it up again.

From the cairn another good view of the track heading far down but surprisingly nobody ascending. Solo time again.

Quite boggy in parts but once I hit the trees the bog factor went up considerably so 15 minutes of gloop avoiding before I hit the return track.

Azure Hawker

Then walked the kilometre as mentioned earlier back to to Derry Lodge and the bike was still there. It was a good section for birdlife and I had a brilliant bonus, an Azure Hawker. Pretty sure that it was my 1^st sighting of the year.

Bike park

Biked the same track but when I reached the road I extended the cycle by a few more miles to get a bit more out of the day.

Back at the car my leg was throbbing a bit more so the right decision had been made to do just the one hill. A good ramble and an opportunity is there to return one day for the other Munro.

Ascent: 801m

Distance: 21.5km

Time: 5.02

Wildlife: Red Grouse; Red Kite; Common Frog; Vole; Redstart; Willow Warbler; Peacock Butterfly; Meadow Pipit; Coal Tit; Chaffinch; Goldcrest; Azure Hawker; Cuckoo;

Not quite what I imagined for my 200th.....Knockan

Hill: Knockan

Type: Sub2k

Height: 372m

My last wee ramble of the day was a trip to Knockan which I knew was not much more than a wander up a wind farm track.

Walkhighlands describes Knockan as a sprawling upland that divides upper Glen Isla from Glen Fiddich. The summit area is now part of the site of an extensive wind farm (indeed it is).

The couple of miles or so on rising track coming up from outside Keith was like driving through a burn as the water cascaded down the single track. I was glad of the cars water assistance technology as I did not want any aquaplaning on this narrow track.

Safely arrived at the Hill of Towie wind farm and tucked my car in nicely so hopefully no big bad energy people will scrape it.

Very low cloud meant I could see the nearer turbines but the higher ones were alternating between visibility and then disappearing along with the mood of the weather.

Not a lot to describe on this ramble, a hard packed wind farm track is the same wherever and I have walked on quite a few of them.

Farmer John appearing beside the tank

It was a lot colder up here and sadly on came the rain again, heavy enough to get the hood up. I was amazed when another person appeared out of the gloom.

An old farmer type stopped for a brief chat. I was dressed for the Artic and he just had a gilet over his jumper, a tough guy.

Feeling less manly I wandered on, a left followed by a right hand turn then it was time to leave the track and hit the moor proper.

Had to be the high point

Through the gloom I could see what looked like a trig but I knew from the map that the trig was on the other side of the road on the Hill of Towie so there would not be two located so close to each other.

Onto the moor and although it was a mixture of deep heather, sphagnum bogs etc it was fairly flat so no real issues.

Looking to the west the only view

When I reached the high point I found that it was a small cairn structure, not a trig. Also nae views except one brief opening looking west.

I had to laugh as Knockan was disappointing in one sense, this was a big hill for me, my 200^th Sub2k. Would have been nice to have had something a bit more special but I suppose that is a selfish viewpoint, just enjoy the moment I told myself.

Too much burnt moor 

I reckoned that the nearest turbine was the shortest way off the moor rather than the way I had come in. As I headed to it I was surprised to note how much of the heather was burnt. I had seen a lot of grouse droppings so there must be quite a few here. But would they allow a shoot in the middle of a wind farm? Quite possibly as our SNP government gives the rich landowners everything they want. Anyway not my problem as I wont be back here again.

How the camera lies, this was heavy rain and gloom

Typically as I headed back to the car the rain intensified, probably the heaviest of the day and that says something.

Still good to get three small hills bagged on a day when it would have been easier to stay indoors.

But now I need to find a pub to raise a glass to my 200^th Sub2k and ease my disappointment lol.

Ascent: 96m

Distance: 3.8km

Time: 0.52

Wildlife: Meadow Pipit; Golden Plover

Rambling through the trees before getting some good views.....Ben Aigan

Hill: Ben Aigan

Type: Sub2k

Height: 471m

A lovely drive through the beautiful back roads of Morayshire brought me to the Forestry commission’s Ben Aigan reserve. A great area for dog walkers, mountain bikers and walkers wanting to summit Ben Aigan or just walk amongst trees. There is also another mast for mast baggers but thankfully that was not on my hit list for this ramble.

As I drove towards the hill the skies had cleared almost everywhere, but guess what, Ben Aigan had a huge dark thick mass over its upper slopes, a few ‘I cannot believe this mutterings’.

The early stages are not the most exciting. A long walk on tree lined hard packed route was sore on the feet but good on the eye. These boots are not made for hard trails.

Softer light and more birdsong

The track seemed to turn back on itself but the route was still climbing and I had not missed any turnoffs. Positive was that I had the opportunity to stop and listen to the birds.

To get to the upper level I knew I had two options. I could follow this track up and around the mast to meet the higher route. Or take a firebreak mentioned in a couple of reports.

But where was it? The recent storms had caused tree carnage and whenever I thought it might start, peering into the forest the decision was a no-no, safety first. I had accepted that I was just going to do the long track when I spotted it, further on than expected and no markers but the trail looked used.

As expected I soon came across the first fallen trees but they were not walk breaking obstacles. The track was extremely boggy in places, at times no option but to place my boot in the gloop. However, overall it was better than expected and I quickly reached the upper track.

Out of the firebreak but Again still under cloud

Very quickly after joining it forked with an old track on the left whick looked the one to take. Although it is a decent gradient my lack of hill walking was certainly telling, I was huffing and puffing more than normal. More time stop and listen, bullfinches and Jays.

Top straight ahead but contour required

And then there was light, I was out of the trees and onto the moor. Once again it seemed a long way to get to the top. The track builders decided to contour the hill before striking upwards. Still the views were good.

Harsh light as I arrived at the trig

The last pull was tougher than I expected mainly due to my lack of walking fitness but it did not take long before I soon spotted the trig.

Looking north towards Meikle Balloch

However good a viewpoint the trig is it is not the real top. But before I despaired too much it was nearby.

Looking back to the trig from the real top

It was obvious that the slightly risen mound a short distance away was the real top, so over I went.

Looking south over Strathspey there was still cloud lingering and the bright light made it impressive but not photogenic.

Lots of trees then the Moray Firth

Instead the views down to the nearby town of Rothes and looking north up to the Moray Firth and Inverness hit the mark. 

As always the high point of this landscape, Ben Rinnes could be identified with its pointed summit. A reminder that the distillery makes a fine malt which I have not had for a few years, need to rectify that.

The town of Rothes with the Glen Grant distillery pumping out steam

Heading down I bumped into a Canadian who was delighted to visit this part of Scotland. Descending the firebreak I bumped into a young girl, her white trainers were going to be a bit less white when she hits the gloop further up.

About a mile from the end my injury was throbbing a bit so I was glad to get to the car and call it a day.

Ascent: 287m

Distance: 8.8k

Time: 2.09

Wildlife: Robin; Great Tit; Chaffinch; Bullfinch; Goldcrest; Dunnock; Wren; Treecreeper;

More of an adventure than expected on the West Highland Way.....Kings House - Kinlochleven

Walk: West Highland Way.

Section: Kings House – Kinlochleven

I was reflecting that most of my West Highland Way rambles have been as a Plan B, bad weather option, which is not at all fair as I have missed out on some stupendous views whilst walking in the rain. Today was no different, another Plan B option due to the forecasted wind and rain. However even Plan B was almost a no goer.

I have been trying things differently at times this year, sometimes utilising public transport and frankly enjoying the non driving. Today the very comfortable and fairly quiet Citylink bus, 1^st out of Glasgow for Skye, deposited me at the Glencoe Ski Centre road end. The bus driver said “do you really want to do this”? As I watched the bus pull away I could have cried and yelled 'no'. The rain was lashing down, driven on by 30+mph winds and there was nobody else around. It was kinda weird, like being in a bad movie.

As I walked to the Kings House I was already considering other options, none of them favourable.

Approaching the hotel some walkers emerged, yippee a line of sight at least, luminous green covers on their backs.

Grey, wet and lonely

The weather forecast for this morning at least showed the high winds from the south east, mainly at my back. But as I stumbled along the section to Altnafeadh it was fully in my face, now a true westerly. Another reply to the Met Office app's question re how accurate was this for you today?

To throw into the mixing pot I was feeling chesty and not breathing at all normally which was concerning.

About half way along there are three mapped streams flowing off Beinn a Chrulaiste. With the heavy rain I counted that there were now 7 of them all joining into the flow above me, so I had to cross it. It was flowing fast and wide covering the obvious standing stones. There was no sign of the 3 guys ahead so they had crossed. Of course being a numpty I had not brought my walking poles as who needs them on the West Highland Way? I dithered, turning back not really an option although it would have been the most sensible. For those not versed in Scotland's public transport there are fewer public transport buses heading through Glencoe than you might think. The stop at the ski centre has no shelter so I did not fancy a long wait there. The next stop is Glencoe visitor centre, a long way from where I was and no pick up stop at Altnafeadh.

Three young frauleins turned up and crossed, not without difficulty, using poles and holding each other, whilst I watched. They wandered off so I decided to cross not very elegantly, crab fashion holding some rocks, made it. They had obviously decided I was too feart for rounding the corner immediately finding two bare backsides in front of me, toilet break. The only one with her pants on smirked as I went by, serves them right for not helping an old man across that water hazard. Smug but little did I know that a worse water crossing was en route, the frauleins would be around again.

Plenty of water outlets running off the 'Bookle'

Frauleins marching away from me

The white of the bothy stood out on this grey day

At Altnafeadh I seriously considered going back knowing I would be around the same time as a bus. But I would have to get over the burn again and my stubbornness to complete the walk kicked in.

The Devil's Staircase in the dry

Looking back from near the top

The wind had disappeared as I headed up the Devil’s Staircase. A mixture of sunshine and heavy showers. A good winding trail and my shallow breathing had eased although I am sure some of the walkers looking back were concerned about my wheezing rather than the views. By the way there are great views looking back.

I was pleased to reach the highpoint of the West highland Way marked by two cairns, no I don’t know why two. But true to form the heavens opened and the wind roared, appropriately for the high point it was bloody cold and the rain was hail for a while, sore on the face.

The water crossings were beside the dark green showing mid left

The one glimmer of hope before the rains returned

The track could be seen winding across the remote moor. Walkhighlands mentions descending and crossing a burn on stepping stones. The stones were there, quite substantial, flat topped and widely spaced. The tops were under the fast running water level but manageable.

About 30 metres further on and round a bend a 2^nd burn appears, far wider, running much faster and no stepping stones. A girl on the far side said she had crossed further up the hillside but pointed to her two friends who had not risked the same crossing as her and were now half way up a big hill, still on the wrong side. I ambled up a bit but it was too narrow with faster deeper water, no chance of jumping.

As I looked back the frauleins arrived and decided a full on attack with a line of 3 holding each other, they got very wet but got across. I think it was a nice smile they gave me, looking at my predicament, they marched on.

Slighted I had no option but to cross. I was soon in deep almost up to my knees. The current was so strong that every leg lift was moving the foot so no option other than to go crab again, to feel underwater boulders, to get stability, and then I was over. With the amount of rain still falling the level was only going to rise and would be impassable for some later in the day. Emptied the water out of my boots but kept my dry socks for later just in case there were more burns.

Excellent views over the Blackwater reservoir but the wind and rain returned with a vengeance. On the descent another waterflow was seen, a proper river in these conditions and no way that would be crossed but thankfully it had a bridge.

Descending to Kinlochleven, Garbh Bheinn ahead

A good example of the extreme water levels

Some more moor then a long tree lined descent into Kinlochleven. I had made such good time that I had a 45 minute wait for a bus. The heavens opened so I just waited it out in the bus shelter.

Water pressure too high for this pipe

River Leven flowing fast and wide

Really bad weather which made for some amazing atmospheric views including the many waterfalls, some of which were truly outstanding examples of the power of water/nature. A walk I would repeat but on a good day.

Ascent: 448m

Distance: 14.58

Time: 3.31

Wildlife: Meadow Pipit; Pied Wagtail