A fabulous short ramble.....Glencoe Lochan

 Walk: Glencoe Lochan

On a short trip with the good lady I was looking for some short but scenic rambles that she could enjoy and this looked like a perfect opportunity to explore a rarely visited part of Glencoe village.

There is a well appointed car park but be warned it is a pay car park that does not take cash/card, mobile phone only payment system that come with dodgy reputations so you might be better to park in the village and walk the ‘hard’ extra 5 minutes.

This short circuit was a blockbuster for this time of the year, a short option but one that I would highly recommend for anyone wanting to stretch their legs on their way north or staying in the area.

Good lady eager to get on with it

What's good about it? Actually rather a lot. It is mainly a woodland walk, the trees being planted back in the 1800’s by The Earl of Strathcona to make his Canadian wife feel less homesick, didn't work as she went back to Canada. Still there are a lot of impressive trees, unfortunately a lot non native along with invasive shrubs . Throw in a small but very scenic lochan. There are 3 official coloured walking routes but our ramble incorporated all three.

She is doing well

But still more to come

Pap of Glencoe from the top of the trail

Initially a short but steep climb through the trees, up the blue ‘Mountain Trail’, steep for the good lady, before we got some hill views dominated by the Pap of Glencoe but also more views across Loch Leven.

Down to the lochan and out of the trees, Beinn a Bheithir was silhouetted on the calm water, stunning Autumn view.

No sooner up before we were heading back down to the lochan. We had seen some Redwings in the trees up top but out in the open they were flying over the lochan in huge numbers, hundreds were seen.

From another angle looking back is The Pap

Rounding the lochan a Great Spotted Woodpecker was hammering away, so loud. I cannot remember hearing one so obvious like this at this time of the year, always associated them knocking with Spring. It is a beautiful spot with Beinn a Bheithir silhouetted on the calm water. That brings back memories of a very hot day.

On the final section this American invasive shrub dominated, Gaultheria Shallon

Antler scrape?

The last section was another lovely woodland but at times many trees by storm damage. Mighty Douglas Firs and Sequoias amidst our traditional trees like Ash, Beech, Rowan, Oak etc. Also passed this which was the right height for a red deer to scrape its antlers against.

Looking across to the Corbett Mam na Gualainn with interesting clouds forming

Back at the car zoomed in on these dramatic Altocumulus clouds

A cracking short term ramble which highlighted the beauty and impact of a Highland woodland. The colours and structures were amazing. I was also taken by just how much bird noise there was. As it is Autumn it was obviously not the breeding season but clearly there was a lot of bonding calling going on as groups moved through the trees.

A wee ramble we will do again.

Ascent: 147m

Distance: 2.9

Time: 1.14

Wildlife: Great Spotted Woodpecker; Great Tit; Coal Tit; Long Tailed Tit; Robin;