Fintry Hills new rambling ground for me

Hill: Stronend
Category: Sub2K
Height: 511m
After two weeks of the flu lurgy I was fair looking forward to getting out this weekend hopefully both days. Then, on Thursday, the good lady announced that the girls were coming on Sunday. Five weekends in a row, excepting my ill one last weekend, are we being taken advantage of?
So Saturday it had to be and coming off the flu effects I opted for a new Sub2k that shouldn’t be over challenging.

The descent crags

I had never walked on the Fintry hills before. Like most walkers I had intended to do this as a double with Carleathern and from a different starting point. 
Today it was just the one hill, but the highest and started from Fintry itself.
Never having been here I followed my sat nav into the small village. Drove through to the end but no sign of the village hall where we were meeting. So drove back through again and parked at the Kirk. Luckily a local appeared who told me it was a village of two halves and the hall was half a mile down the road in the other half!! Can they not just give it a separate name?
Still the crags looked impressive from down here, that is when the low cloud let you see.

Muddy!!

A walk through village part 2 and up to Culcreuch Castle Hotel before heading though a farm and up a very muddy track to enter the fields. Farmer taking no chances here warnings for bull; calves; cows; sheep; horses anything else?

Follow the dyke

A short climb gets us up to the dyke which we then follow along a narrow eroded sheep trail, very awkward walking as we contour below the crags. 

Rainbow

Conic Hill and Loch Lomond open up through the gloom, a rainbow appears nice one.

Rolling landscape below the crags

Looking along the crags the terrain down below was an odd looking scene, small humps dotted all over. It did not look natural, I wondered if there was some mining hereabouts. Apparently natural, a quote from the Edinburgh Geological Society...The Fintry Hills are part of the Clyde Plateau Volcanic Formation to the south-west of Stirling, and show good examples of varied basaltic igneous rocks that formed close to eruptive centres, in a landscape of craters and cinder cones

Stronend Cairn

A final push up through the crags and out onto the open moor where before long the large cairn appears out of the gloom. 

Trig

It is a very large stone construction encircling the trig. No point in hanging about nae views in the low cloud.

Descent crags

We then followed the ridge eastwards across the moor along to Double Craigs. You certainly wouldn’t want to fall of some of these crags, steep drops.

Fintry on the left

I had anticipated a much boggier walk up here but actually it was pretty good going. The weather had improved so good local views down to the village(s).

Lochan with its winter coat

Off the crags and headed down to the farm before heading along past the pretty Lochan before meeting up with the out track and back to the cars.
Just what the doctor ordered an excellent short walk with plenty of good chat helped the time fly by.

Wildlife: Crow, Rooks; Blue Tit; Grey Heron.
Time: 4.27
Ascent: 1746ft 
Distance: 7.17m

It should have been a lot easier up Beinn Bhreac

Hill: Beinn Bhreac (Luss) (Speckled Mountain)
Category: Graham
Height: 681m

It was a ‘will I, wont I’ decision this morning. I had not prepared to walk but the forecast apps suggested that this was going to be the only decent walking day of the week, indeed a lot more awful weather due.
Once the ‘will I’ had won next decision was where? As I was later leaving  it had to be a shortish up and down. So, I decided to add on the missing hill from last weeks ramble in Glen Douglas and hope that the terrain was better.

Follow that muddy track

I parked up at the same spot but noticed a forestry machine had left a track from here so this became my starting point instead of wandering up towards the farm and the formal start. From the indentations I think this had been one of the nearby MoD’s tanks lol, definitely caterpillar tracks and ground well flattened. Of course the downside was a wet boggy slippy track particularly after the weekend rain.
Still the track went up and around the wood to the top of the tree line where it became more like a quad back track. But no complaining it was much better terrain than its pal across the way.
The terrain was good but once again my mind and body were in different universes. From early on my calves were burning and I was finding it hard going. Unusually for me I was picking spots ahead to focus on, make the hard yards and have a rest, glad I was on my own and making my own pace. Interestingly after the event my heart monitor showed I was not stretched, a strange one.

Looking up the An t-Sreang to the Alps

Despite this stop start I was still making progress up the hill. I think the faint quad tracks helped the motivation.
Stopping was no hardship as there were fantastic views up the An t-Sreang and on to the Arrochar Alps and the neighbouring Corbett’s. There were some heavy grey clouds around which for me meant push on, maybe the storm forecast for later was blowing in early.

Ben Arthur fore and Beinn an Lochain behind

I could see a fence above me which was where the quad tracks went, a new fence sturdily constructed and of course barbed wire on top. A few futile half attempts made me reconsider. From this angle I could see a gate in the fence down below but descending was not an option. 

Helpful rope with Tullich Hill behind

Optimistically I continued to follow the fence as it contoured away from the top and my instincts were good. An assisted crossing point. The rope protected me from the barbs so all good again.

Trig comes into view ominous cloud

I knew that the top could not be far away but no tracks here. Suddenly Loch Lomond appeared in the haze, great view and to my left I spotted the trig, all was good.

Looking north from the trig

The views from the summit were stunningly beautiful particularly the snow covered tops which stretched miles and miles away.

Snow capped Ben Lomond

 Ben Lomond so close over the water. Conical Ben More very white. The Lawers range looked so clear. 
It was to be fair exceedingly cold on the summit, the feel like temperature well below zero so I was not lingering for long. The ridge looked tempting but that is for another day, maybe coming up from the hotel side, on a good day it will have excellent views.

Follow fence to gate on descent Arrochar Corbetts behind

Still back down the same way but heading to the gate this time. About half way down I heard powerful car engine break the silence. Then below came a few vintage cars, numbers on their sides so part of a formal rally. As I descended there must have been at least thirty passing by, not a convoy, well spaced out. Not racing but interesting, all shapes and models but all made a spectacular noise. I found out that it was a 4 day trip from Lands End to John O’ Groats.

Vintage

So that was that. Objective achieved and much less stressful than the ramble up Tullich Hill.
I have just realised that my last 3 walks were not on my winter list, need to get focused on that.
PS: That night a massive and very painful virus hit me, that was the reason for my out of form. It was a nasty few days.

Wildlife: Stonechat; Raven; Chaffinch (flock); Fieldfare (flock).
Time: 2.45
Ascent: 610m
Distance: 5.3km

Gruelling Tullich Hill a hard earned tick

Hill: Tullich Hill (Hillock)
Category: Graham
Height: 632m
I was carrying a couple of injuries and had debated last whether to do this or not but when I woke I knew that I could not waste this blue sky day.

I have often said on this blog that the Graham category of hills are frequently the most awkward and this one did not let the side down. Another mini adventure on what looked a straightforward outing.

Tullich Hill from parking area

The temperature en route had varied between -4 and zero. The drive along Glen Douglas, a winding twisty very single track iced road to the start was interesting. Only met one car and thankfully it was at one of the few passing places, I didn’t fancy reversing far on the ice. Started the walk at the normal parking spot before Invergroin farm.

Cannot get lost at this start

Followed the sign onto the hill after the farm and here the adventure began. There was an iced terrain track and from the looks of it this could be a mudfest under other conditions, today fairly solid.

Then I realised my GPS had not been locked together properly when I input the batteries and only the backing was attached to me. I had been meandering between tussocks but headed back more in hope than expectation as the stuff was deep. Luckily it was lying on an open area, relief!!

1st deer fence

Continued on this same track towards a deer fence. I had spotted two stiles and decided to head to the one on my right as the ascent from there looked less steep, its all relative this was a steep climb. Over the stile onto the open hillside.

The 1st deer fence is met circa 150m and the 2nd circa 400m, the bit in between was the killer zone.

A view of Ben Reoch from ascent

There was no obvious path and I thought I had spotted a stile high up at the 2nd fence so aimed roughly in that direction. The walking in this stretch was probably the most awkward of anything this year. This area between the fences is a tree plantation probably done 3-4 years ago. There are many hidden trenches and deep ones. Even the tussock ridden terrain was very difficult, like walking on fresh snow. Each step felt ok then the top gave way sinking up to calf and often knee deep. This was slow and torturous as well as potentially dangerous.

Oh I almost forgot, in between the two deer fences they also throw in a rusty barbed wire fence to climb, that one drew blood.

I had to delayer as the effort had me sweating heavily even with just a base layer and a light jacket.

Beinn Bhreac with Ben Lomond behind

As I neared the 2nd fence my heart sank as it was not a stile and I had read previous reports of walkers climbing the deer fence. Luckily the angle I arrived up there allowed me to spot a stile away to my right.

Grassy slopes, top up to the right

Once over this the final stretch was contouring up the slopes. The only views ahead were the grassy slopes until finally I reached the last section and found a path!! 50 metres later it all opened up and by god it was stunning.

The top was just ahead marked by a cairn. Time for soup and a roll and take it all in. 1 hour 40 from car to top slightly behind my predicted time.

Arrochar Alps

The Arrochar alps are majestic particularly The Cobbler but Ime, Vane & Venachar were in cloud. Ben Lomond mainly clear but in the distance the Lawers range looked cloud covered. Loch Lomond impressive but the bright low sun did not allow me to get good views of the other Luss hills. Still glad I am here.

The Cobbler from an unusual angle

I had thought about doing the double with its buddy Beinn Bhreac but I was not up for a 300m descent with a similar ascent possibly back up the same stuff I had just climbed, no way.

On the descent view from top deer fence

On the way down I followed my newly found path which although disappearing a few times got me back down to within 50 metres of the 1st fence and the style. I stood on top of the style looking around I realised this was not the one I had initially crossed, this one (and the path) was another100m east.

The last section to the style reminded me how awful this terrain was.

It's cold down at the farm

Finally the last fence, no climbing and the icy walk back to the car, everything down here still frozen.

Glad I did as the views were superb but I cannot see me repeating it.
Even the wildlife was hiding, just these three individual sightings and all at low level.

Wildlife: Wren; Meadow Pipit; Carrion Crow
Time: 2.56
Ascent: 555m
Distance: 6.5km

Too grim up top to fiddle today

Hill: Binnein an Fhidhleir (or Stob Coire Creagaich (Peaked Hill of the Fiddler)
Category: Corbett
Height: 817
I took opportunity to tick off another of my winter list today with this ridge walk. Which I am told,  in good weather has excellent views.

The ridge is up there somewhere in the clouds

As I stood waiting at Butterbridge car park the clouds were down very low, maybe even lower than 500m, ‘excellent views’ lets be optimistic, I actually could see a little sliver of blue up there.
We were walking west to east taking the ‘easier’ way as everyone that I talk to admits that the direct route is a beast at the best of times and a winter walk could be very difficult. As it turned out most of the snow had melted away.
As I stood in the car park a number of walkers appeared heading to their cars, were conditions too bad for them? On the contrary they were hardy folk having done a bothy stay, apparently it was a very busy bothy with around a dozen sleeping overnight, hardy or what?

Easy start from the masts

Our walk started along the far end of Glen Finglas and we took the short track up to the masts then directly up the slope from there. 
The start was a boggy mud fest of tussocks which Dumfries & Galloway would proudly adopt into their domain. Full of hidden traps to do in your ligaments or worse. One person went right through a narrow crack on the descent, could have been a bad one.

Deforestation on slopes of Beinn an t Seilich

Deforestation seems to be scarring the landscape all around this season.
It is a fairly straightforward ascent route heading for An t Stor. The only issue is that the angle from down below only allows you to see a short distance and it becomes hump after hump after, yip you got it.

One of the group makes a break for it

At least the underfoot is soft, no hardpacked tracks here.

Loch Fyne

What looks on the map as fairly short becomes a a long gentle slog. There are however great views looking back down Loch Fyne and over to the Fyne Oyster bar, a few cars already in situ, early oysters maybe.

The clouds descending to meet us

Then the grey stuff descended and nae more views. It slowly cloaked us in mist, unseasonably warm at first but that was not too last long.
Navigation was now more challenging particularly knowing there were some big drops not far away on our right hand side.
The mist and cloud was now wet stuff and the camera was put away, not risking it getting wet.
Thankfully the snow had mostly gone but it was slow going today. 

Beinn an Fhidhleir last camera shot

Still we were on the flattish bit and the rocky trig/cairn of Beinn an Fhidhleir appeared out of the gloom. The trig is apparently inside of the cairn.
It was now pretty miserable, a walk along the top to the high point and then a return back the way we came. For once I wished we did the straight down to Butterbridge where my car was but not to be.
It turned out to be a far quicker descent than ascent. The odd good views but the cloud was now even lower and the rain more prominent.

Looking down to the start but taken on way up

The better views looking down from the ridge showed just how steep it was.
A good walk but one I need to redo and on a good viewing day. There is a lot of good scenery out there that I did not enjoy today, but that is walking in Scotland.

Wildlife: Raven, Meadow pipit, Vole.
Time: 5.49
Ascent: 807m
Distance: 8.9k

A Winter walk on Beinn Ime

Hill: Beinn Ime
Category: Munro
Height: 1011m
Although we did not have the crisp blue skies of previous days the forecast was still in our favour for this late Autumn walk. I say late Autumn but up here Winter has been around for weeks so snow expected up top.
Today I am rambling with the AYR OIR for a straight forward Munro outing. Traffic delayed our start so it was after 10.30 when we were booted up and on our way. Interesting that with the sheer greed of Dumbarton Councils parking charges there were only 4 other cars in the car park, an unbelievably low number. It went from £1 a day to £9, nice one, not.
Still our walk plods up the zig zags where it was already warm enough for me to take my mid layer off, too early in the walk to be sweating.

Lots of frozen ice sticking to the rocks

It was with relief that we exited the tree line and finally got a view of something that didn‘t resemble a pine tree. A tumbling burn with ice still coating the sides of the boulders.

The Cobbler

Also ahead The Cobbler, even in monochrome was still spectacular.
As far as the walking is going at least the gradient was kind as we followed the excellent path, surprised, but pleased, at how little ice there was.
A quick snack at the Narnain boulders before wandering further up the hill to the junction of The Cobbler, Narnain & Ime. 

Final 400m from here up Ime

Proper snow ahead as Ime now has its early winter coat on. It will have a few more layers soon.

On the icy track now

Spikes donned as the track was icy and the final 400m of ascent is taken on. Surprised that it is mostly hard packed snow but step off line and sinking knee deep was the outcome, hard going so avoid at all costs.
We meet some workers who are rebuilding the path, a very muddy hill track in the summer, but today hardy boys.

On the snowy ascent, Narnain left and Cobbler right

Continued plodding up the white landscape, should put the sun glasses on but lazy, no snaps on the climb, just all white.
Despite the low cloud the light is stunning at times and so variable, what a landscape we live in.

Looking towards Loch Fyne

The long ascent is nearly over, we reached its steepest pitch and finally the long walk was over. The wind was now buffeting us, strong and cold but stand in the cairn top and look around, it doesn’t get much better than this.

The Summit

The snow makes it a spectacular 360 degree view of high summit tops with their snow hats on, too cold to stand and count them. 

Ailsa Craig just visible on horizon

Far away Ailsa Craig shimmers on the southern horizon. All the Arrochar Corbetts look so close as they encircle Beinn Ime, truly beautiful.

Getting gloomier time to descend

For the descent we followed the long walk back to the car park. We descended before stopping for lunch out of the wind and the workers have disappeared, not surprised. Clouds are thickening and the wind is rising.
We spotted a red deer stag in the trees near the finish. It was either not bothered or not well. I suspect the latter but still a magnificent sight to finish the walk.
No complaints about today’s walk, enjoyed by all, another mid week success, well done Dick.
Just don’t talk about the drive home, a nightmare!!

Wildlife: Raven; Robin; Vole; Red Deer.
Time: 5.29
Ascent: 1060m
Distance: 15.2km

A proper ramble to Benbrack

Hill: Benbrack
Category: Other walk
Height: 581m
Today was a bit different from the normal group walk in that we had the company of Ben Dolphin, President of the Ramblers organisation in Scotland. A really nice guy who added value to the outing and hopefully we returned that with our feedback and company. 

Ben & Jeanette

On Thursday I had climbed one of the other Striding Arches at Colt Hill and here I was completing another within a few days. Like Colt Hill I had a previous failed attempt at this hill so second time lucky. The previous outing was another group walk, this time with the Ayr & District group. Heavy snowfall was our downfall that day significantly slowing progress, turning us back before Benbrack.
Today was a totally different experience, you could not have picked a better day to walk in November. Although the temperature dropped to  minus 2 on the drive down there was a crisp but not cold feeling at the start.

The start onto the moor

Our route to Benbrack followed the Southern Upland Way but for these hardy long distance walkers their day is a lot longer than ours. Our interim bit is part of the longest section of the SUW which goes from St Johns Town of Dalry to Sanquar, a long haul at 41.5km.
Still our walk starts at the old byre and goes past the working farm. There are signs warning of dogs, working collies I presumed, but on the way back I saw the owner walking a beast of a Rottweiller type dog, huge and one to stay clear of. Probably a gentle giant but not for me to find out.
No navigation required as we followed a clear path, muddy and boggy at times. 

Plenty of SUW markers around

Keep looking up and see the yellow topped SUW marker posts for reassurance and head for them.
Up and down grassy trails we wander. Criss cross some of the estate and forestry roads  but basically keep on a straight course.

Manquhill Hill

Finally from Manquhill Hill the Arch on Benbrack could be seen in the distance, looked a lot further away than the reality.

Benbrack ahead

The views were stunning Moorbrock, Carsphairn, Blacklorg and lots of others seen from non traditional perspectives. Can’t describe this properly, it was what getting outdoors is all about without slogging up huge Munros etc.

Moorbrock & Carsphairn Hills

Now we had only one hill left, a steep ascent but a gentle walking gradient and in these warm November conditions gear was being shed as we climbed. The expected humour didn’t disappoint.

Messy top from this approach

Then the Arch was reached and we had views of the other two on Colt and Bail hills. 
Again super long distance views the radar golf ball on top of the Lowthers shimmering in the light. Even brighter was the very white snow covered top of White Coomb, I will be doing that soon, on my winter list. Looking south the low pressure had created grey clouds and limited visibility but looking north the high pressure blue sky, a cracker. We were right in the middle.

Arty shot!! Colt Hill arch in distance

We followed the same route back as there were forestry diversions around and better on the feet to tramp soft muddy paths than hard stone packed forest roads.
A top day out in excellent company but particular mention to our walk leader today, Jeanette. An excellent job in preparation, what home baking. Cannot lose her the bright colour scheme outstanding. As a person true to herself, and with the pressure of Ben Dolphins presence, well done to her, I enjoyed this one.

Wildlife: Buzzard; Crow; meadow Pipit; Blue Tit.
Time: 5.22
Ascent: 1616ft (596m)
Distance: 9.11m (14.7km)