Ben Dearg Callander via Ben Gullipen

Hill: Beinn Dearg (Callander) 

Type: Sub2k

Height: 427m

I wanted a short morning walk so opted for a Marylin just outside Callander, another one on my winter programme ticked off.

Almost got off to a non start as the walk start was plastered with yellow timber operations warnings and I could see and hear them. They had obviously started at the road and were working their way up into the forest. But at least the signs did not say’ no entry’ so on I went.

No warm up here straight into a steep climb and heavy breathing already. I soon met up with the workies who were working slightly in from the track. Not many trees left here but the air was still full of calling birds, larger numbers in a smaller space.

Gullipen comes into view

Them Coos are somewhere on this road

According to the map the good track is a service road for the Ben Gullipan transmitter, so far so good, breathing back under a control when I reach a gate with a sign saying no more waymakers, appropriate clothing and all that, this is not somewhere you would expect to die but hee ho.

The sign had omitted any mention of livestock which I took as good news for about two minutes with lots of trampled ground and coo pats, but they looked old.

I could see the transmitter and followed the winding and actually quite steep track. What was noticeable was that as I progressed the coo pats looked less old and were soon decidedly fresh on the last climb. Was I going to be ambushed?

Ben Ledi from the Gullipan track

Reached the transmitter and the coos had clearly been here but still no sign. 

Over the style with Beinn Dearg peaking out but a bit to go yet

I crossed a fence and presumed that they couldn't so headed across the moor towards Dearg. There is a faint track as the route descends almost 60 metres to climb back up another 80 metres. The track is faint but there. Intermittingly wet and boggy amid patches of solid grass. At least it continues onto the small ridge of Dearg so no heather bashing. Well there was when I lost the track for a bit but soon recovered.

From summit Loch Venachar and the dimple of Ben An in the middle

From summit looking back to Gullipan

Good views across to Ben Ledi and the Crianlarich hills beyond. Spotted some smaller peaks; Ben An; Dumyat; Dumgoyne. It was a very cold wind and for a few seconds small balls of hail were bouncing off me.

Lochan Balloch & Ledi behind

Down below the Lochan Balloch is a pretty water, wonder if there is any fish in it?

The winding road back down from Gullipan, Callander behind in the valley.

Dumyat just seen on the right

Headed back the same way, chatted to a couple who were only going to do Gullipan as they did not know Dearg was the real hill, wonder if they went over. Got the nod from the timber guy as his machine was now stripping trees at the track edge, amazing machinery.

All in all just what I wanted, never seen the coos, a good wee ramble and another one off the to-do list.

Ascent: 424m

Distance: 7.7km

Time: 2.14

Wildlife: Chaffinch; Wren; Blue Tit; Great Tit; Meadow Pipit; Raven; Red Grouse

That was a tough ramble.....Beinn a' Choin

Hill: Beinn a’ Choin (Hill of the Dog)

Type: Corbett

Height: 770m

The skies were a vivid blue when I left Barassie so I was driving with optimism of a better forecast than Met Office readings predicted this morning. En route I phoned my good lady who was in Edinburgh to be told it was pouring, wish I hadn't lol. By the time I reached the East Kilbride junction grey clouds were overhead and I could not see the Campsies so optimism was downgraded a notch or six.

I will describe this walk in two sections. The 1^st section is the lower half of the walk via my route and is the out and back section from my start at the RSPB reserve at Garrison Farm to the deer fence. The 2^nd section is the out and back from the deer fence to the summit. There are alternative routes for this hill which eliminate this start.

The only good track I would see

Grey skies but dry as I headed along the track leading to the reserve. When you get to the ruins it is suggested you start your hill climb here. I did and I would not expect you to repeat this mistake. The terrain between here and the deer fence is a tree plantation from a few years ago. It is steep along with plenty of tussocks, heather, loads of holes dug for trees but unfilled. Most holes hidden by the long grasses. It is ankle rolling, slow, step by careful step and seemed never-ending. So unless you are a masochist who enjoys this extremely rough ground it is not for you. Although I can think of one or two who might relish the challenge but they are not the norm.

Continue on track do not turn!!

Instead keep walking along the track for about 3 minutes where you will find an ATV track. It is at times rough and boggy. It also at times leads you away from where you want to be but stick with, it leads you all the way to the gate in the deer fence.

Horrible walking

I spot an ATV track

It took me about 30 minutes to get through the plantation and I had thoughts of turning back a few times. I did meet the ATV track at one point point but stupidly left it after a brief ascent as it it was heading away from my direction. A mistake not repeated on the descent, this old dog can learn a new trick.

Finally found the gate in the deer fence

From the deer fence gate Walkhighlands takes a steeper route to the left via some crags but looking at the map the gradient appeared a lot easier by turning almost immediately right and following the obvious burn (Allt Trosdain) up towards the Bealach a’ Mheim. 

Now leave the burn and head for the flat area on right

It does take you away from the summit target but worth doing. I stayed on the right side of the burn where some of the deeper gorges appear intimidating to cross but the good news is if you stay on the right you don't have to cross it. The bad news is that there are no tracks apart from animal ones which routinely appear and disappear just as quickly. The going is better than the plantation but still energy sapping.

Lots of crags to be wary of if descending this way

When I reached the Bealach it was now peat hag ground before the final ascent. Pick whatever grassy rake between the crags that you fancy and go for it. After the brutal start my legs were really feeling it but kept telling myself not far to go now.

View from false top over Loch Katrine. Note clouds on left which was coming my way and quickly

Finally reached the point on my map that I thought was the top but of course there is a slightly higher point across the way. From my poor eyesight there does not look much of a difference between them but one has a few stones and the other a big cairn so it must be right.

Was almost jogging to get to the actual cairn summit before cloud got me

Followed the old fence past the lochan and there was even a worn path at this bit. Clouds had been gathering over to my right, the east, and the rain soon came hammering down. On the top, large cairn, but no hanging about as I had decided to take a more direct route back and I was not ruining camera or new phone so sorry no snap from here. 

Rain easing. Through 1st line of crags but steep grassy rakes ahead, the deer have just disappeared.

There are plenty of potentially dangerous crags so it was a case of finding as much grass as possible and taking detours to avoid them. Thankfully the rain eased as I hit the peat hags where I spooked a small herd of 5 stags. They were big beasts, no youngsters here and as soon as I appeared they quickly disappeared.

Deer fence somewhere down there with Loch Lomond fore and Loch Long behind

After slowly picking my way down the steep and wet grassy rakes I reached the deer fence. I was glad I did not ascend this way, much steeper than my route.

As said earlier no mistakes this time as I stuck to the ATV track all the way down, so much easier.

A good ramble but my legs were gubbed from all the early efforts and to be fair I did not have a lot of hills in my legs. Typical rough terrain as befits the Loch Lomond hills. At least the majority of it was in the dry with good visibility.

Ascent: 741m

Distance: 9.3km

Time: 4.29

Wildlife: Red Deer stags; Meadow Pipits; Caterpillar

Tyndrum Corbett double.....Cam Chreag & Beinn Charoach

Hill: Cam Chreag (884m) & Beinn Charoach (818m)

Type: Corbetts x 2

Today was my first big outing of the year with an assault on a pair of Corbetts that I have had hanging about my To-do list for too long.

After a big brekkie, too big actually, it was car defrosting time after a serious overnight frost. For once I had the luxury of only a 5 minute drive to my starting point, but slowly negotiated the last section as some serious potholes.

This is the start not the one on the other side of the bridge

Beinn Odhar directly ahead with Beinn Charoach on right

This ramble is not a regular route although the map suggests it should be. I headed up the track to the Shielings which should give me a good route to the bealach between the two Corbetts. I had read about meeting coos en route and it did not take long. Their feeder station’s surprise-surprise right beside the track with little room to avoid them. I got the evil eye but no more and was pleased to get that out of the way, the hardest part of the walk which would have to be repeated later.

The ridge of Cam Chreag appears far away

You can see the lines marking out the crofts

As I headed towards the shielings I noticed the fences on the hillside marking out the individual plots for each crofter. I am used to seeing these further north but not down here. The ground certainly looked like hard work required to get any reward.

Took the right fork at the shielings and the estate track up Glen Clachain took me a long way in towards the new plantation at a good gradient. The hard packed estate track now changed into the expected boggy mess. I am no expert but not too many of these trees looked like they were alive. The bulk of Ben Challum loomed over me on my right. I well remember that boggy walk.

Getting close

Cam Chreag ridge but you don't see the top until you are on it

This was a long walk in and slightly disheartening to be turning away from the target as I headed for the bealach. After existing the deer fenced tree plantation I decided to leave the faint atv track and head across the very rough ground to get to the bealach. Motivation higher as I was now heading towards my target.

Found track and broken fence

Onto the peat hagged bealach I was surprised, but pleased, to find a thin worn track. Certainly better than what I had been on before.

Precariously balanced rock

Foreground the 2 Corbetts from Auch with Orchy Munros behind

Charoch's humpack in foreground Beinn Odhar on right

Now the final stages of the climb to Cam Creag. Initially the track followed the broken fence line until it deviated leftwards but I want to go right. No track for the final assault to the top. Rough ground to be picked through and finally I was there. For the highest of the two Corbetts there was no marker of note. Never mind, the views made up for the tiredness in my legs, that had been a slog. Looking around I counted over twenty Munros and plenty of other hills, quite superb.

Track heads for the hags then find the fence

Heading down I had a boulder in mind as my marker and for once I picked the right one. Just after it I found the broken fence line back to the bealach. The descent was more tricky as icy ground kept trying to get me to heel slip.

Found the fence top on left

Back to the peat hags and from here I could see a faint track heading up the slopes of the 2^nd Corbett, Beinn Chaoroch. This was now just a long grassy plod. Reminded me of going up Shalloch on Minnoch but much drier. Further up some significant ice on the atv track but thereafter it was back to following the broken fence to the summit. 

Left to Right. Dubhcraig, Oss, Lui and Chuirn (the gold mountain)

Beinn Challuim

The summit of Cam Chreag shows up from here

Despite being significantly lower this had a trig and equally impressive views in all directions, counted 20+ Munros that I could identify.

Descent with Crianlarich Munros as backdrop

Legs getting sore glad to get off this descent

Looking back to the descent

There was a worn track beside the broken fence so I followed it until it disappeared. Thereafter it was a case of heading down the steep grassy slopes aiming for the shielings track which I could see from a long way off. This was a much longer descent than I expected and if I was only doing the one Corbett I would not be ascending this way. My knees were complaining so I was very pleased to get off the hillside.

Back same way to the coos. Two of them were sitting happily but as I neared up they rose along with my heartbeat. But again the evil eye was the only thing.

Back at the car and quicker than I expected. The couple of reports I had read suggested 6.5 to 7.5 hours. Now I know why I was feeling knackered, pushed too hard. Time for a shower and siesta, not sure in which order. Silence is golden once again. Just the noises of nature and nothing else.

Ascent: 972m

Distance: 15.8km

Time: 5.07

Wildlife: Buzzard; Field Vole; Raven