Beinn Dubh and the Luss horseshoe

We finally get a couple of days of high pressure, yahoo, golf at Seafield yesterday and a good walk today.

Loch Lomond from Beinn Dubh, Luss to the right

We opted to ease the legs in with a reasonably gentle but scenic walk. The views on this walk are well worth the effort. The walk starts at the village of Luss on the banks of Loch Lomond. You can park in the main Luss carpark and walk over the footbridge but at this time of the year they like to take money off you for that privilege, so being tight fisted Scots we parked at the start of the road that takes you through Glen Mollochan.
The forecast was good, the sky fairly blue but clouds were scudding over so the 1st decision was whether to carry all the gear or not. But, this is Scotland, so extra clothing was carried in the rucksack just in case.
Immediately there is a marked stile and you are straight into the ascent of Beinn Dubh. After 10 minutes the sweat was already breaking out so my light jacket was off and into the rucksack. This is sheep country and also lambing season and we had a dog with us so its lead was on for a good bit of the day. As it turned out I saw less sheep than expected and no lambs, maybe they were all elsewhere. The climb is constant from the off and fairly wet and boggy underfoot. Its always worth looking back as the views of Loch Lomond and the village of Luss are superb and get better as you climb. The sun was not in our favour for good photographs but still worth looking at. Also the additional benefit, it allowed us to get the breathing regulated again.

With my walking partners English Pointer 'Hudson'

Skylarks kept us company, rising regularly out of the heather, climbing high into the sky, to hover and sing beautifully before descending. Apart from an acrobatic raven that was about it for the birdlife on the ascent. 
The clouds had gathered and the wind-chill was significant so back on with the jackets and even gloves, yip it was cold. After about an hour and 20 minutes we reached the summit of Beinn Dubh, 641 metres of climbing. 

The summit Beinn Dubh

A touch slower than normal but it is early season. There are good views of Ben Lomond but today its summit kept its cloud covering.
If you want a shorter day you can simply retrace your steps and go back down to Luss. You will save about 3 miles or so but miss out on some great views. Although chilly it was a nice day for walking so we continued to do the horseshoe ridge. The walk takes you around the top of Glen Striddle although you don't really see into the glen until you start your descent.
Although you are on the top of the ridge the ground is still boggy in places with your feet frequently going into the marshy ground up-to your ankles. Did we bring gaiters, no.
As you continue the walk from Beinn Dubh to Mid Hill, 623 metres, take it slowly as the views are magnificent in all directions. On your right you still have Ben Lomond but the views are opening out so you are seeing the loch at the same time, magnificent.

Beinn Breac

Ben Lomond with its cloudy top

Stop and look down into Glen Douglas, the road goes from Loch Lomond to Loch Long. From up here it looks a good route for the bike, one for the future.

Arrochar Alps, The Cobbler in the middle

Now look straight ahead, north, and you have the Arrochar Alps. 

Stob Gobhlach

The distinctive Cobbler is prominent aside the larger Munro Beinn Narnain. In the foreground there is Beinn Breac & Stob Gobhlach, all future trips for the season ahead.

You can just see another walker on the ridge starting his descent

To your left Doune Hill & Beinn Lochain. All in all stunning views.
We have now reached Mid Hill and the beginning of the descent. It is a fairly steep grassy slope but walking conditions were good. Suddenly on the slopes of Beinn Dubh I spotted a small herd of red deer grazing. They were mainly hinds with at least one stag. Further on another herd was spotted at least twice the number of the first group. Great to see.

The deer were just to our left

As we progressed further down a pair of birds caught my attention, my first wheatears of the year, back for the summer. The views are all towards Loch Lomond but take care the apparently flattest area was actually the most treacherous. Suddenly we were slipping and sliding, the ground was sodden as were my trousers after one slip. Thankfully we reached road without damage to life or limb and a gentle half hour walk brings you back to the carpark. I frequently hear an early season cuckoo along this stretch but sadly not today.
The walk took us about 4 hours but we were not pushing it. The distance walked is around 10 miles with a few detours on the summit to take in the views. This is a super walk for a good day and one any reasonably fit person can do but do dress for the occasion and not the weather forecast.