Ben Tirran

Hill: Ben Tirran (aka The Goet) (Hill of the hillocks)

Type: Corbett

Height: 896m

What a difference a day makes. Although yesterday had showers today's forecast was much bleaker and the reality did not disappoint. Heavy rain, becoming bright, becoming heavy rain, which then turned to prolonged hailstones, back to bright for a spell then light rain that stayed on for the rest of the walk. Did we not use to say ‘Flaming May’ because of its high temperatures? Certainly not today.

Today I was tackling Ben Tirren which is a bit of a misnomer as the as it is not the actual top, the real one nearby is called The Goet, so why is the summit not known by that, answers to SMC not me.

My walk started in the rain from the walkers car park, just over the bridge in the direction of Glen Doll, god forbid not the Glen Clova hotel parking. 

Looking back to the hotel start

In pouring rain I followed the footpath sign for Glen Esk. When I reached the open hillside the rain had gone off. The path has been reconstructed recently with a mix of traditional track and stone ladders. 

Clouds coming my way I love it when they hug one side of the hill

Eyes watching the clouds coming down Glen Doll knowing that they were going to engulf me sooner rather than later.

After yesterdays efforts I was blowing a bit and my legs a tad reluctant to drive on up the hill. I could see walkers ahead and then seemed to meet them all at Loch Brandy. Did not see anyone on the walk after this. 

Loch Brandy

Loch Brandy is a spectacular water filled corrie with the slopes of The Snub on the left. I was going to go up via the Snub but the looming clouds and rain put paid to that so the easier route for me.

Taking the easy way round

The improved path continues for some way up the Broom Shank but half way up the rain turned to hailstones making the easier ascent more gruelling. Some noise as they thudded off my hood. 

The Snub disappearing in that cloud not hugging one side any more

Still I was glad I did not climb the Snub as nae views. I had seen a couple of mountain hares but suddenly out of the rain this monster sat on the track just ahead of me. When it moved I thought it was a wallaby, it was huge. Big grey body but still with its winter white socks. Of course by the time I got the camera out of the dry bag it was gone but a sighting I will never forget.

Loch Brandy with hailstones

Slightly higher up same view without the hail

The problem with hood up, head down, rain/hail hammering down is even an easy ascent seemed never-ending as you look at your feet. Finally the cairn reached and dry again.

Plateau & hags

Now for the featureless plateau, at least I got some views of my route as this can be tricky for navigation in poor visibility. As per yesterday I also spied the peat bogs but thankfully not as severe.

Keeping my head down as I dodged the hags I followed the deer fence on the left and instinct kicked in, it did not seem right even though there were some small route cairns, why when there is a huge deer fence to follow? I should have gone through a gate way back and come up the other side of the fence.

I knew that I was vearing away from the route so I decided to climb the fence. Easy apart from my hanging foot got stuck in the wire  so quite a pickle to get out of, few sweary words then onward.

Still snow patches as I look down to Loch Wharral

Continuing featureless terrain and this time I hung too far right, quick position check and realised my mistake, I was heading for Ben Tirran not The Goet, 

Goet summit trig

I climbed back up towards the deer fence and found the trig marking the Corbett summit. And of course looking across there was a gate in the deer fence right here!! Numpty.

I was tempted to retrace my route but elected to continue the circular route. 

Ben Tirran top 

Firstly heading across the barren top to reach another cairn, this time Ben Tirran would you believe. Then an easy descent across grass and heather with excellent views of the corrie surrounding Loch Wharral, another impressive piece of landscape.

Loch Wharral

I could see an estate track from Loch Wharral so headed towards it. When I reached the gun butts there is a path of sorts but it was more a running stream but it got me there.

Green Glen Clova below the clouds

A long walk down the estate track in light rain but with good views of the very green Glen Clova.

Sad times

I was going to cross the burn near the deforestation but it was running high and very fast so crossing would have been dangerous. Risk averse I followed the estate track down to Wheen cottage and accepted the extra road walking. Looking at the deer fences down here any cross country stuff probably would have met these.

A cuckoo called at the start of the walk, how often has that happened recently? Along this minor road section both male and female calling trying to find each other.

A very damp walk to say the least but it had its moments of excellent views to remember.

Ascent: 896m

Distance: 17.2km

Time: 4.12

Wildlife: Mountain hare; Cuckoo (m&f): Swift (1st this year); Meadow Pipit; Red Grouse; Pheasant: Curlew; Chaffinch

Avoiding the coos on Bishop Forest Hill

Hill: Bishop Forest Hill

Type: Sub2k

Height: 392m

This hill can be climbed from Glenkiln reservoir but looking at the map it was more straightforward for me to ascend from the West after Killyleoch Hill. 

After a meandering narrow drive I reached the point I was going to start from. I could see a quad bike track heading up the flank of the wood. But and a big but! There was a coo feeding station in the way and there were plenty of Belted Galloways spread around most of them looking at me. They also looked heavy with calf so I drove along the road for half a mile and found a road junction at fab named Marglolly Bridge. I was aware that the local farmer is not a fan of cars parking at his places so I carefully parked up, half offroad, blocking hopefully nobody.

ATV track at the start

The positive was another faint quad bike track straight up the steep slope.

Not a lot to say about the ascent, head down, avoid the fresh coo pats and get to the heather at the top. 

Summit ahead

From the top some rough ground but the top was straight ahead, the large cairn standing out. A mixture of rough ground, animal tracks and the quad bike track made short work of the ascent.

Massive pile of stones for a wee hill

At the top there is a trig and a very large cairn well above par for the size of the hill, must be a reason.

Head to the rounded hill before descending

Looking across to the east I recognised the pylon of See Morris Hill and to the south Bennan, some more Sub2k's conquered.

On the top my enjoyment was spoiled. I received a disturbing phone message about tax issue, probably a scam but there was reality to it, concerning. I was going to do a loop but needed to get back to check this out. 

Remote moorland car in the centre

So straight back the same way. From the top there is a good view of the moorland. 

The coos shad stayed near the feeder

Thankfully the coos had not spread themselves to far from the feeding station so no risk.

A short walk but good views, worth the minimal effort but take the loop if you can. As I changed the farmer came past and gave me a nod, good no hassle.

Ascent: 194m

Distance: 2.7km

Time: 1.01

Wildlife: Red Grouse

Uamh Bheag circuit the day has finally arrived

Hill: Uamh Bheag (Little cave) (664) Beinn Nan Eun (Mountain of the birds) (631m)

Type: Graham/Donald 

Last week I completed the two Donalds in Glentrool that I had been putting off mainly due to lacking the motivation to tackle the terrain. On my way north this week I changed my plans and I decided to go for the most northerly two Donalds which had an even more fearsome terrain reputation. Although almost as far north as Callander these hills are technically Lowland hills so count as Donalds.

We are still in a low weather front so the forecast was for sunshine and showers, potentially heavy rain.

The early morning drive through Glasgow suggested lockdown is well and truly over with traffic jams on major roads.  But the drive along the single track road into Glen Artney was beautiful. I did hit a traffic jam, two farmers having a jaw but they moved and let me through. 

Glen Artney Kirk

Parked up at the Glen Artney church and got changed to the sound of a cuckoo calling, I did spot it as it flew between trees but sadly no snap. 

No parking here, the start after road section

An anti-clockwise round and as I walked the minor road to the cut off a golden eagle flew low heading for Beinn Dearg. A superb start. A rough riverside walk then a decision how to get across the fast flowing deep burn. 

Plenty of running water here

I climbed up the flank and found a spectacular waterfall but still no crossing point. 

Bridge with Am Beannan ahead

I continued higher up and came across an estate bridge, great, saved me a potential soaking.

Ahead is the most attractive hill of the walk, Am Beannan, it is a cracking pointed hill. But it goes up sharply and you know it is going to be pain. A hill that starts steep and gets steeper but good terrain. 

Looking down the glen with Stuc & Vorlich in the background

Surprised and delighted at how good I am feeling compared to just over a week ago, hard graft but making good time. Only issue the sun cream was running into my eyes, very painful, constant wiping. 

Looking other way back to the start

Took a few rest pauses to look down into the remote glen and back over to Ben Vorlich and Stuc a Chroin. When you go to the end of the ridge on Vorlich where I am is what you are looking at.

First of the peat hags with Uamh the point in middle

Reached the top in 1hr 15m good going. Now the renowned peat hags start to show themselves. If I thought these looked hard work the real hags come later. As it was a faint path can be followed. When the undergrowth etc starts growing this will become difficult to find and would be very awkward in a clag.

Speaking of which black clouds were moving in quickly from the west so no more sun cream, wet gear on and for the next half an hour the rain came down hard and soft. I spotted a few red deer running, if they had not moved there was no chance of seeing them.

Reached a fence which can now be followed to the Donald top of Meall Clachach.

Follow the fence from Meall Clachach

Then following the same fence a descent and short ascent brings me to the top of Uamh Bheag, a junction of fences. 

Uamh Bheag trig

The rain was heavy so I wandered around the east top briefly, then back to the fence, getting pedantic but I am more than happy that I have bagged this Graham/Donald. 

I spotted a walker who I thought was coming my way. But he veared off on the hags. I was not sure if he simply did not want to speak to me but he seemed to disappear on a vague track towards Callander, odd. 

1st view of the deep hags and Beinn nan Eun

Close up. An option to go to the right but steep

From this east top area I followed the fence heading towards the turbines. 

This was the beginning of the end of the good walking for some time and this outing was going to live up to its reputation.

Hurdling red deer

Suddenly movement and a small herd of red deer, stags and hinds had obviously seen me and were running to the fence, then gracefully leapt over. Might have been the earlier herd.

The hags have become deep trenches

At the bottom of the ascent the hags have become trenches, Deep and boggy. I stand and reflect that this is what WW1 tranches must have felt like. At least they were dryish god knows how bad it would be if they were and extremely soft and slippy.

Over the trench I still followed the fence until I take the decision to leave the fence and head north/left to head for the Donald top of Beinn Odhar. Here the hags really live up to their reputation. It was really rubbish terrain. The hags were deep and unrelenting. It was constant zig zagging, sometimes back tracking, to try to make progress. It was hard work and my walk happiness was diminishing rapidly. Then the ground improved but haha a further unseen section appeared and more torturous going to finally get to the top.

View to Eun from Odhar

Helpful grassy patches

Looking over to the next Donald there are more hags but luckily I can see grassy passages inter linking so a bit like being in a maze, wander around and try to follow one, when it ends stand on the hag top and try to spot another one. 

Another underwhelming Donald summit marker

The prize a Donald bagged and a small marker, typical of Donalds. 

I retrospect if Donald tops not to be bagged it might be easier to follow the fence for longer and go direct to Eun, I was lucky I had visibility and relatively dry conditions underfoot. It only takes a little imagination about how much more difficult and dangerous these hag areas could be in wet conditions and poor visibility.

Panorama from Beinn nan Eun

Spectacular panoramic views from up here and all that remained was a very long grassy descent heading back towards a bridge over the burn at the sheep pens. The SMC book mention grouse butts but I never saw them, not a problem today.

Definitely a walk of two halves. I enjoyed the walk until the turbine farm, great views, but the section after that to Eun not fun at all. Still another two Donalds in the bag and no more negative reputation terrain on my last Donalds.

Now time to focus on the Corbetts that was the reason for my trip.

Ascent: 807m

Distance: 15.01km

Time: 4.37

Wildlife: Red Deer; Golden Eagle; Raven; Chaffinch; Wren; Cuckoo; Blackbird; Meadow Pipit; Skylark

A very wet day on Mount Battock

Hill: Mount Battock

Type: Corbett

Height:778m

Mount Battock is the most easterly Corbett and has been on my list for a while. It is straightforward and has extensive views, really, probably but certainly not today.

According to the weather forecast a low pressure front was due to hit just after lunch. So, with the prospect of a morning weather window I had an early breakfast and was ready for walking for 9am.

Lovely start but snap taken on descent when rain off

Problem was nobody had told the weather that there was a dry spell as it was bucketing down. No cuckoo calling a bad omen. 

The ford well flooded luckily a bridge nearby

This will be one of the shortest blogs as not much to say and not many snaps, scared of ruining phone and camera.

Mount Battock through the middle somewhere

Was expecting hill track but actually goes round the side can just be seen

The ascent followed a standard estate track almost all the way to the summit. This is a huge grouse estate so when the visibility is bad like today all you can see either side is heather along with the sound of springing grouse, lots of them.

Side track still no sign of Battock

About a third into the walk I was carrying my poles and realised a leg had fallen off one. This scuppered my planned horseshoe so I returned the same way but surprisingly did not see it, an odd one.

It was the grimmest ascent I have made for yonks. Solid rain all the way. Head down looking at my feet listening to  the rain drumming on my hood. As the track zig zagged fine at your back but into your face constantly trying to adjust the hood to stop the water entering, why do these hoods never stay tight?

Grouse butts so know I am getting close to the top

Visibility was as expected on the ascent with some views of the trail until around 2000ft then visibility came down to 20-30yds maximum. On the descent the clouds lowered further and it was around 1300ft before I could see anything around me. 

Getting the eye, took me by surprise

Solidly built grouse butts appear from time to time and this one made me look up twice lol.

Summit

There is a flat area at the top from the Wester Cairn but this was like walking on a light flood plain, splashing and squelching every step to the summit, a trig and a double sided cairn, which despite its size just appeared out of the gloom. Extensive views, nope, just happy to see the fence to get me back the way down.

I did not hang about on the top, damp and cold I just wanted back to the car. The things we do to bag a hill but the trip had been booked and planned, the weather you just have to take.

Heading back can finally see but how could I not find pole end on this sandy track

Spirits rose when I exited the gloom and the rain went off allowing me to take in the moorland views back down Glen Esk.

Looking down to the ford and the small bridge

Far from the walk that I hoped for so I will probably return to see them one day but not tomorrow! 

Lots of squirrel feeders but none spotted

At least I got changed in the dry and it was a very fast walk, no hanging about today.

Ascent: 751m

Distance: 15.9km

Time: 3.33

Wildlife: Red Legged Partridge (1st of year); Sand Martin (1st of year); Red Grouse; Curlew; Peewit; Skylark; Meadow Pipit; Buzzard; Mallard.  

Back to Culter Fell with Ayr & District

Hill: Cardon Hill: Chapelgill Hill; Culter Fell

Type: Graham & Donald

I had volunteered to lead a walk for the group and these hills are excellent for a group. There are previous posts so mainly just pictures and stats. More people snaps are on the ADRC webpage.

The only change to previous trips was the addition of the Donald top, Cardon Hill which I had not been on before. It is an outlier of Chapelgill Hill. A gentle spur which only added less than 30 minutes to the trip.

Sadly solo car travelling limited the numbers allowed to go in the trip but those that attended were all good company and enjoyed a nice day and a good horseshoe circuit with fabulous views.

The steep start

Impressive flanks of Culter Fell

Chapelgill Hill

Moorland

Cardon Hill from large pile of stones on minor top

Tinto behind Cardon Hill cairn

Culter Fell and our descent ridge running right to left

From Culter summit, Cardon & Chapelgill

Chapelgill switchback shows well

Broad ridge to descend keep aiming for Tinto

Beautiful start and finish location

Ascent: 788m

Distance: 14.3km

Time: 5.08

Wildlife: Skylark; Meadow Pipit; Raven; Red Grouse; Short eared owl ( en route but my first of the year)