A sad day to go to a top with nae view.....Strathfinella Hill

Hill: Strathfinella Hill

Type: Sub2k

Height: 414m

It was a time for reflection that age catches up with us all and nobody knows what is round the corner. Two days ago I was reading the BBC news on my phone app in the hairdressers where an item about the death of an ex Scotland rugby cap caught my attention. At the same time I received a a ping on my phone, the good lady sending me the same article. I went to a very small Borders business college and I remember on my first day of a new course this monster of a boy/man sat beside me. Who was this long haired git he thought? A Borders giant but a gentle giant. I have many good memories of him at college and particularly of Murrayfield trips with the student gang where more than a few beers were taken. As a Gala player and local hero Ken never did have to pay for his beer in his home town. Died the day after completing a 3 week charity bike ride. RIP big man.

I was debating about whether to make this short but as I said, you never know what's round the corner, so why not I asked myself? No good reason so off I went.

To start I was looking for a short hill to break my journey and identified Strathfinella Hill as it was only a 10 minute diversion off the A90.

I reckoned about an hour each way and that proved about right.

My main concern was the weather as I had been in mist/haar/fog since leaving Perth. The NE was meant to have the only good weather in Scotland hence my trip. Thankfully the weather gods were on my side as with about 5 miles to the walk start I was out of the gloom and into bright sunshine, yippee.

Impressive cast stags, there were two more at the other entrance

I parked beside the private entrance to Drumtochty castle, an impressive place to start a ramble with these magnificent gates. How much for each cast stag?

Girth seen better at this angle compared to the other trees

My ramble left the castle and headed along the road for a couple of minutes where a dirty trail revealed the start of the forest sections but first of all there is a mightily impressive tree, one of the earliest Sitka spruces planted in Scotland. And it is a whopper, mightily impressive both in girth and height, a real giant. 

The climb was described a series of 4 sharp ascents, each leading to a forestry track. I had read that it had been used as a MTB descent and I can confirm that it still is. Thankfully I did not meet anyone but the fresh tyre tracks indicated very recent usage. I have ridden a lot of MTB trails but you would not have gotten me on this one even in my fearless prime. In terms of grading this descent would be a Black trail, the hardest there is. It is extremely narrow and tight twisting, extremely steep with tree jumps. There is so much deforestation debris along with the new plantings that if you came off at speed you could easily impale yourself. It was difficult at times descending it just walking. Then looking at the lines for the bike, never mind high speed descending, Wow factor.

Sector 1

Sector 2

On the first two sections the trail was rutted by the bikers but also very steep hard packed earth. At times I had to spike my poles in like ice axes to get enough leverage to haul myself up. The descent was worse.

Sector 2 a bit higher MTB tyre marks show clearly

After section 2 I walked up and down but could not find the start of the track into 'a nice wooded section'. I had a signal so got the Walkhighlands App and read a few of the reports. One even had a picture showing 3 trees and the pylon behind. I was trying to orient myself with this picture when it dawned on me that there had been more deforestation here and the trees that identified the pylon had been chopped down. Rather than clamber across the debris I followed the road to the base of the pylon and after a clamber up a bank there behind it was the track.

Image is so much brighter than the reality in all of the woodland snaps

This was a serene ramble through a dark forest mostly in silence, only the odd bird calling, unusual but satisfying.

There was an offset jump just before this chute, high speed finish to sector 4

Another walk up the next forest rod and another deep brown chute indicated the start of the final section.

The high speed jump is to the right of the tree base as I look, not for the faint hearted

The ascent was through an old plantation followed by a new plantation. These new trees were already overlapping over the very narrow track and I suspect that in a couple of years time this track will be no more.

It all levelled out and a pleasant soft on the feet walk through the darkness of the oldest trees was again satisfying.

Hidden trig

I knew from reports that the summit trig was enclosed in the trees. As I followed the MTB tracks something pinged in my brain an alert, had I gone too far? I decided to retrace and sure enough I spotted the trig which was sited off in a dark cutting. The green moss on the trig camouflaged it well. I presume the tree planters are not allowed to demolish a trig point. Some reflection time as I ate my banana, I don't think I have ever been to a trig, located in trees with no views, one for the record books.

On the trail I had spotted regular Pine Martin scat, some of it so glistening black it had to have been fresh. At the trig there was a large pile of droppings on a nearby stone, regularly marking its territory.

Viewed on the descent from the new plantation

I returned the same way, enjoying some views over the Angus hills and countryside, until I reached the pylon. Delighted to hear some roaring stags over in the nearby Angus glens.

Spotted a silent Magpie smirking as I tracked back up again

From detour had this glimpse of the country pile

I decided to extend the walk along the forest road but it began to take me away so I returned and awkwardly descended down the MTB tracks to the road.

Overall it was a tougher wee ramble than I expected for its lack of height. But it was satisfying and peaceful so turned out to be a good ramble after all.

NB: I was intrigued by the name Finella but appears to be from this with a slight misspelling 'Its name perpetuates the memory of Fenella, daughter of a thane of Angus, who was slain here after betraying Kenneth II to his enemies, who (according to local tradition) made away with him in Kincardine Castle'.

Ascent: 325m

Distance: 5.2km

Time: 2.21

Wildlife: Crossbill; Coal Tit; Wren; Robin; Goldcrest

A lazy Sunday ramble.....Beinn a' Chuallaich

Hill: Beinn a’ Chuallaich (Hill of the herding)

Type: Corbett

Height: 892m

I was in glorious highland Perthshire just as Autumn arrived and the trees were beginning their colour transformation but probably another 2 weeks before the full spectacular effect kicks in. The beginning of autumn also means the start of the red deer rut. This ramble was chosen with that in mind.

This Corbett has been on my list for quite a few years as its huge cairn was a prominent landscape viewpoint when I was fishing for the brownies at nearby Loch Rannoch.

The delay in completing it was that it had a poor reputation for parking and access along with its lower slopes being covered in dense bracken. But a couple of years back I read a report on Walkhighlands by Strathlassie which gave a good alternative starting point.

I parked up at the roadside clearing at Drumglas, rough ground, room for 3 cars at a push and hope nothing wide comes down the road as the side of the car pokes out a bit.

I had a wander to the start but re tracked and followed the advice of ‘Walking with Kids’ to cross the field to avoid going through the house garden, which is probably an invasion of their privacy.

The tups are waiting

The question was what livestock could be in the field on the hidden side. It turned out to be about a dozen tups. Some had evil looking horns but the ones without had evil faces, if looks could kill this lot were right up there. But thankfully they have serviced their sheep and testosterone has lowered so I safely crossed the field.

A wide dirt track, sometimes stony, winds its way up the hill with a few gates to get through. EU grant funded to plant native trees. The track goes through the crags and bracken of Creag Bhudie without difficulty, just me huffing and puffing.

There were great views over Loch Rannoch before I turned and headed upwards once more. There are options for the more adventurous to go rough country and ascend over the heather clad peat hagged slopes of Tom na Moine and then going directly to the top.

But not for me today I simply followed the ATV track, boggy in places but by and large a good gradient with no issues.

I spotted some heads on a ridge watching me, red deer hinds, not too fazed as they gradually appeared in full on the ridge, some still feeding. When they decided to scarper I counted 18 hinds. But a couple of minutes later a smaller group emerged from the heather camouflage onto the ridge where a magnificent stag was profiled, well chuffed. No need to roar he had his harem.

Nearing the bealach I was aware of loud calls of Raven but was surprised to see over a dozen in the air. A gathering of ravens has the rather odd name as ‘an unkindness’. But this lot were not unkind to me. The ariel displays were a delight to watch. For about 15 minutes the display was mesmerising. I suspect these were birds bonding but I could be wrong and maybe it was just for the fun of it.

I knew I had to leave this track and go across the moor but I could see no obvious point. As always I took a direct line and wound my way through the peat hags and then up the short stony slope.

It flattened out and then the trig and big cairn came into view. Despite its size surprisingly this was my first sighting of it on the walk today.

The wind was bitterly cold so it was a shorter stay on the top than I would have liked. It was worth being cold for a while as the views did not disappoint.

Schiehallion showed its top very briefly

Loch Tummel & Vrackie

Loch Rannoch

Across Dunalastair Water lay the huge bulk of Schiehallion whose top remained in cloud. Beyond Loch Rannoch the jagged peaks of Glencoe. Along from them the Corrour Munros. Behind me Beinn a Ghlo and Ben Vrackie. And below me peat hagged terrain.

Descent

I headed back the same way. About half way down I could hear two stags roaring, one of which was more of a loud cough than a roar, no hinds for you I suspect. They were far away, possibly over on the Schiehallion side with the sound blown by the wind across the water. 

A bit further on I could hear one much closer but did not get a sighting.

Thistles on the turn still make an attractive snap

As it turned out my access fears were not realised. It was a good ramble and made all the better for the sounds of the rut.

Ascent: 708m

Distance: 10.8km

Time: 4.08

Wildlife: Raven, Red deer Stag +30 hinds, Buzzard, Coal Tit,

The Scrape

Hill: The Scrape

Type: New Donald

Height: 719m

The forecast suggested a mostly dry day, blue skies but strong and cold northerly winds. Well I can get layered for the cold so a dry day was to good to miss.

I decided to pick off another New Donald and my nearest one left was The Scrape. I have fond memories of the Drumelzier round so this was no hardship to return. The last time I was here I was in company so would probably not have made the detour to The Scrape anyway.

It was a pleasant drive taking in the autumn colours and before I knew it I was at the small parking area where there were already 2 cars and a van. If one of the cars had parked up closer to the others it would have avoided a many point turn and tight parking but got there. No room for any other cars if anyone else turns up.

This area is reputed to be the burial place of Merlin, the Arthurian sorcerer. Buried on the banks of the River Tweed according to ‘Vita Merlini Sylvestris’ a medieval manuscript held at the British Museum. 

Lovely colours from the start

Walkhighlands suggests taking the track behind the cottage but I remember from my previous visit it did not end well so I stuck to the main track. I was higher above the suggested route and could see that it had disappeared in a bracken jungle, seem to remember that from before, a good choice made.

The track is soft grass for about the 1^st third, very nice indeed. As was the scenery even in this harsh low light, should be a lot better on the descent. Through the trees and it was noticeable how prominent Robins have become recently.

Spot the track

I followed the track to Pykestone from where I would head for its subsidiary top. I was surprised at how high the bracken still was, glad that there was a track winding its way through it or it would have been left for another day. It was much warmer than forecast so it was jacket off all the way to the top.

After the soft grass the track is now more awkward, loose stones, laid to help the grouse shooters ATV’s get traction to power up the hill no doubt.

Middle Hill (left), Dollar Law (centre) and Drumelzier (right)

Still, it was a kind walking gradient but from here the tops still seems far away. When the track eases off it becomes more peaty and grassy. The terrain is now full on heather which would be awkward walking. Sprung about half a dozen red grouse, not many for the size of this heather moor.

On left 1st view of The Scrape

Views opening up Broughton Hills foreground, Pentlands behind

When I spotted The Scrape I considered going off route and cutting the corner earlier but chose to continue with the path up to the fence near Pykestone Hill, no rush and no accidents please.

The Scrape

From the stone cairn I could see The Scrape clearly and it was just a case of following a faint track alongside the fence all the way. Looking from above at the bottom section I just knew it would be wet and boggy. 

Looking back to Pykestone

Indeed it was, but only for a short section and 10 minutes later I was on the summit of The Scrape, at a fence crossroads, marked by about a dozen stones, better than some others I could name. It was now a very cold wind, particularly when the sun disappeared, but at least the wind was not the howling gale predicted.

Looking back ascent route

Always a fence

Layered up again before taking in the views which are very good. Looking east the Broughton hills in the foreground and beyond The Pentlands so clear. Behind me the other Donalds of Middle Hill, Drumelzier and Dollar Law.

Back towards my descent the Culter Fell range looked very enticing indeed.

Patchwork grouse moor. Culter hills left and Tinto right.

Too cold for food up top step so I retraced my steps until I found a boulder to sit on, in the sunshine, lapping up the views.

Full zoom to the Larsen trap

On the descent I spotted another Larsen trap, as usual well off the walking track. Looking through the binoculars this looked to be in good condition but nothing could be seen inside it. But yet again no corvids or raptors seen today!

Jacket back off I enjoyed the descent in the slight warmth from the sun but visually warmed by the stunning autumn landscape, indeed a great time of the year to be outdoors.

Another successful ramble on a glorious day. The extra time from Pykestone to The Scrape and back added less than 40 minutes.

Ascent: 620m

Distance: 12.1km

Time: 3.32

Wildlife: Red Grouse; Goldcrest; Meadow Pipit; Great Tit; Chaffinch; Robin

Straightforward hill with outstanding views.....Beinn na Lap

Hill: Beinn na Lap (Dappled Hill)

Type: Munro

Height: 935m

Today brought beautiful clear blue skies and unseasonably warm temperatures for this time of the year. This resulted in a last minute decision to ascend this Munro which I missed out on when doing my 100. Now it was on my ‘too good to have missed out’ list. As it turned out this was the 4^th time I had planned to do this this year. I knew there were superb views so I was being fussy and the 1^st two allotted dates were abandoned due to the poor weather forecast. The third time was just last month and another last minute good weather day but I was caught up in a road crash and missed the train by literally 1 minute, lots of bad language that day. There is no road access so it is either the train or a walk/bike hike in.

Today all was going well until I rounded Loch Lomond until all traffic on the ahead came to a halt. I then clocked that I had not noticed any traffic going south for some time, oh dear. As it turned out it was a very large vehicle that everyone was stopping for, no scraped paintwork thanks.

When I arrived at Crianlarich station I was early and it was already warm. The train was on time, all was good. A busy train but a scenic trip, what could be seen out of filthy windows, come on Scotrail this is a major tourist route.

Reached Corrour Station and as I had plenty of time I headed to the cafe for a brekkie roll and coffee, Nope too late for brekkie roll, lunch menu only. Really, how many customers are here that menus can be so time prescriptive. Even then they could have started the lunch menu 20 minutes after this train as not another one for a few hours.

Beinn na Lap on left

Off along the trail I went, munching my trail food of nuts and dried fruit, healthier I suppose but it's not the same. The hill and the ridge running high above Loch Ossian, which was a picturesque view in its own right, stunning blue water.

I had already removed any outer layers before I reached the point to depart the estate track and head up the boggy grassy track. It was warm.

Boggy trail clear to see

The trek up to the ridge at Ceann Caol was just a good gradient slog. The track was boggy but not as bad as I feared so just kept following the drier sections zig zagging all the way. A few stops to wipe away the sweat from my eyes were also good opportunities to take in the views. I had plenty of time but there is only so slow I can go. One has a natural walking hill rhythm so better sticking to it.

Pointed peak of Schiehallion

At Ceann Caol the track took a right turn and became a gentler gradient as it headed NE towards the summit. The ground became rockier underfoot but nothing to cause concern. The views were increasingly spectacular.

There were a few small directional cairns dotted around, not always helpful. I spotted a circular cairn in the distance, this was it but no, it was a shelter and a good viewpoint but looking around clearly not the top.

Across stonier ground I walked around a small lochan, the main sheltered circular cairn and summit was now just ahead.

Panorama from summit from Bridge of Orchy Munros on left through to Glenco ones on right

Grey Corries

Zoomed in to the back of Ben Nevis a view most walkers don't see

Truly on a day like this this it was a 360deg viewpoint like no other. Despite the warm weather the air quality was a clear air and all that held you back was your own eyesight, quite magnificent. I cannot remember if I have ever seen so many high tops at a viewpoint before. The bulky rear end of Ben Nevis looked odd, totally different from its normal Fort William view, as it is a perspective not seen by many. 

For the very fit with other transport arrangements this Munro can be linked to the Fersit Munros but that was definitely not on my agenda.

On descent the Corbett Leum Uilleum dominates

The descent was intended to be via retracing the ascent route. But I was following a faint track through the stony ground where I spotted a cairn and headed for it. I assumed it was the ascent cairn but it just didn't feel right. Took a bit of time to check where I was then I realised I was off my ascent track. Some rough ground was crossed before I reached the upward track. I don't know if it marked an old route but it proved a reminder that not all cairns are helpful.

On the muddy track it was a slow descent with plenty of time to take in the views of this truly wild landscape.

Having missed out on my brekkie roll a cold beer (or two) and a saddle of venison sandwich finished the ramble perfectly. What a stunning day, a short Munro but one to remember fondly.

Ascent: 577m

Distance: 10.2km

Time: 4.25

Wildlife: Meadow Pipit; Peacock butterfly; Gold ringed dragonfly