Third time lucky....Meall Buidhe.....Glen Ogle

Hill: Meall Buidhe, Glen Ogle ( Yellow Hill)

Type: Graham

Height: 719m

On my way to a planned trip I was looking for a quick up and down hill and decided to travel via Glen Ogle to tackle this hill at the 3rd attempt. On the previous two occasions I was intending to stop off on my way home but the weather was awful both times. Not a walk to bother about without the views unless you are a don't care less bagger and to be fair there are a few of them around. This time the forecast looked good for everywhere in Scotland apart from this section which was forecast for showers and yes they arrived. The annoying thing was that 10 miles down the road Tyndrum had no rain at all, that's showers for you.

Although this is categorised as a Graham the starting point is at the top of Glen Ogle thus giving a head start so an easy walk. 

Ferns here had grown to head height

At the start the track starts beside the car park and the ferns had grown much taller here than recent hills but luckily I was not wading through them. Food for thought for planning future walks.

There is an aerial mast about two thirds of the way up the hill so unless you are a masochist and want to go cross country the service road is the one to take. This zig zags its way up the hillside making progress even easier. 

1st view of the crags at the mast

Initially the track meanders through trees but then opens up to give you a view of the mast. 

Almost out of the plantation

Further on the track escapes the trees giving good views which become better as you ascend. The clouds were rolling over but no rain yet.

High point Meall Buidhe from the mast just pick a route

From the mast the cairn can be seen but the terrain in between is full on moorland, not D&G tussocks but not far off. The walking was awkward but not difficult. There was the occasional very deep hole to keep me wary but mainly it was heather and sphagnum bogs. 

Typical peat hag moor

After about a kilometre the ridge was reached and surprise, surprise on came the rain. I had swapped to my light rucksack and had put in a waterproof jacket but not the trousers, so wet shorts!!

The big cairn as a shower passes

Once on top there are two of cairns, oddly the smallest being the high point. 

Looking down Glen Ogle towards Lochearnhead

Slightly further west there is a more substantial cairn which would normally give good views down into Glen Ogle but for me atmospheric would be a better description as the clouds prevented downwards looking, still not bad.

It had been a short walk and I was feeling good so rather than return the same way I decided to head along the ridge to the north top of Beinn Leabhainn. Strongly recommended as even in these conditions the views are so much better and on a good day would be quite stunning.

The traverse is not all ridge, there is a descent into more very wet bog but thankfully short lived before heading up the ridge again, once on top the cairn is in sight. Fresh deer and grouse droppings around but no live ones spotted.

Killin with Lawers range behind

Loch Tay

As you head towards the cairn good views of the Lawers hills directly ahead and to the east Loch Tay opening out more and more. 

Looking West up Glen Dochart to Tyndrum

From the cairn the full vista also covers the Tyndrum hills and closer the Munros along Glen Dochart. Pretty dammed good but would be fabulous with the air clarity I had on Dun Rig.

Mast ahead

From here the top of the aerial can just be seen peaking over the horizon. Easy navigation and an easy descent albeit along more poor walking terrain but the aerial mast is soon reached.

Winding track back to the start

To finish just follow the track back to the car. A young couple passed me heading up, the only people seen on the hill all day. 

Back at the car the humidity had brought out the midgies and they were having a feast with me on the menu. I had midge spray in the main rucksack but I was getting so many bites that I abandoned trying to find it. Simply jumped into the car and drove away with the windows open hoping they would be blown out. Maybe some did but others lived to continue the feast.

An enjoyable walk and definitely a small hill to return to when the weather allows the views to be enjoyed in full.

Annoyingly when I got to my digs and checked the weather forecast for tomorrow it had changed and was very poor indeed. I had planned to kickstart my Munro count with a Dalmally double but the forecast was predicting heavy rain and very poor visibility by lunchtime, so a rethink required. Next blog will tell what happened.

Ascent: 474m

Distance: 9.1km

Time: 2.28

Wildlife: Chaffinch; Blue Tit; Meadow Pipit; Small Heath