Another rough and ready sub.....Carn na Loine

Hill: Carn na Loine (Tufted/Snowflake hill?)

Type: Sub2k

Height: 549m

Today's ramble was a trip to the upper moorlands of Moray. I knew from my preparation that some of the lower sections of these hills would be typical horrible moorland terrain and it did not disappoint.

Whilst a lot of the country was still covered with low grey cloud Moray was almost all blue sky so I was happy that I was here. The most frequent option is to do a circular route but with my sore calf I opted for an up and down. As it turned out the distances would have been similar.

From the parking area a view of autumn trees was a nice start

There was no obvious parking near the start of my walk so I parked up on an off road grassy spot, which would have been the finish if I did the circuit. Walked the kilometre to the start of the mast track at Knock of Auchnahannet. The kilometre was a lovely morning walk, albeit walking on an undulating tarmac minor road. The return final kilometre was just as pleasant viewing but much more painful.

Walking down the road I could see the mast track winding up in the middle of the picture

A crisp morning, autumn colours on the trees, few sounds apart from cattle calling in a field somewhere nearby. A few up market looking houses were half hidden in the trees. On my right I also had a view of the track that I was going to use for roughly half of the ascent (the easy bit).

Lovely tree walk to the moor full of birdsong and a view of the hill ahead

The track is a maintenance track for a mast on the nearby hill of Tom Mor. Clearly it was used by the farm/estate more than for mast maintenance but I was glad it was there. Lower down this is sheep farming but the upper slopes are patched heather indicating grouse shooting.

I had an option but followed this track, correct! trees were full of Fieldfare but they scattered as soon as they spotted me.

It was one of those beautiful crisp autumn mornings that made me happy to live in Scotland. Air clarity meant great viewing and as the morning grew so did the temperatures.

One field had a large flock feeding and constantly on the move. Focused the camera lens on them and delighted to see my 1^st Redwings on the year, 50+.

Walked up the track, listening to the birds, Fieldfares in good numbers; calf throbbing; probably a mistake but kept going.

As the crow flies I was less than 10 miles from Grantown on Spey but this felt like a different world, not that Grantown is big city stuff!! Big open landscape and no traffic noise, wonderful.

Entering the moor the target directly ahead

Walking up the hill path onto the open moor it was absolutely stunning enjoying that beautiful autumn day. Just me and a lot of sheep. You know, when you go past an enclosure or a transportation van full of sheep the smell can be overpowering and frankly not pleasant. But out here on the open moor, in their natural environment it was actually a pleasant smell, a gentle reminder that I was here at one with nature.

Finally the good track walking was over and it was time to go off piste and head up towards the ridge. For a couple of minutes I wandered up and down but there was no path that I could see. So I just took the plunge onto the moorland. My first steps was full confirmation of what lay ahead for the next half an hour and it was not going to be pleasant.

Horrible, headed for the thin line in the middle hoping it would be better going, it wasn't!

Think of your worst terrain and this was probably comparable. It was constantly changing underfoot to just remind me that the landscape was the boss here.

This section went something like this. Heather which was waist high at times making movement awkward and hiding everything underneath. Alongside and mixed with the tussocks, not quite Dumfries & Galloway worst but not far off, constantly twisting and rotating my feet thus constantly throwing me off balance. Bad thoughts beginning to be vocalised.

Not content with just those there were the boggy bits with the many hidden leg breaking water routes I could hear but not see. At one point when one leg was sunk into a narrow water slit, almost to my crotch, I did question my wisdom about this ramble.

My glass half full side was clinging to the belief that as I got higher the going would improve and thankfully it did but only marginally.

If I had kept heading to the ridge I would have met an ATV track but as I did not know that at the time I was now taking a contouring route to where I thought the summit was.

On the flatter rough ground at the top I now encountered proper peat hags which were shallow but still had to be avoided. I rambled around knowing the map showed a trig point but where was it?

Then over the top of a peat hag top I spotted a flat concrete shape. Finally reached it and it had a small peat hag trench right beside it.

Foreground the ridge I should have walked, beyond the Moray Firth.

As it is a stand alone hill the views were good all round. Looking North the ridge I should have walked but further on were the waters of the Moray Firth which shimmered in the sunshine. 

A good view of the best side of Corbett of Ben Rinnes

Turning towards the east the pointed peak of Ben Rinnes was so clear on the horizon. Memories coming back of my hike up there which was a few years ago, probably one of my earliest Corbetts.

As I was heading down I was glad to see the track along with a superb view of the Cairngorms.

Looking back the way I came I had a landscape view over Speyside with the Northern Cairngorm mountains in the distance. Some of the tops under cloud but most were clear. Worth the effort for these views.

Relieved to reach the track and spotted this grouse butt. There were many dotted around but no tracks beside them and no grouse seen or heard.

There was a cool northerly wind, not strong but enough to chill. As said I returned more or less the same way. I thought I had spotted an ATV track that might be easier so took a slightly different route through the crap but I was wrong and it was still crap.

Quick not in focus snap of the Roe deer buck

When I approached the farm buildings I spotted a Roe deer who had probably spotted me long before I spotted it. It ran about a bit, trapped,  before it stiff legged bounced away as if on springs. That made me smile at how lucky I was to see it.

A lovely ending to a short ramble in our special country but not that terrain. With hindsight I should have done the full circular route.

Ascent: 386m

Distance: 10.1km

Time: 3.07

Wildlife: Buzzard; Roe Deer (buck); Wren; Pheasant; Redwing; Chaffinch; Greenfinch; Treecreeper; Coal Tit; Robin; Goldcrest; Great Tit; Fieldfare

On the search for wild pussycats.....Hill of the Wangie

Hill: Hill of the Wangie (Wangie is apparently an ancient name for wildcats but as expected no sightings on my ramble today)

Type: Sub2k

Height: 319m

My 2nd hill of the day was another wee Sub2k to help test whether my poor leg was recovering as hoped.

The hill lies NE of Dallas but not the famed American oil Capital but a lesser known Moray hamlet called Dallas, no drilling rigs spotted but plenty of wind turbines.

Hill of the Wangie is a Forestry Commission pine plantation with a typical undergrowth of heather, bilberry, ferns and mosses. There is a good network of logging tracks many of which are used by mountain bikers.

Parked up and as I exited the car the mooing from over the adjacent hedge was so loud it made me jump and I wondered if a coo was about to crash through it. A gentle peak over a nearby gate where about half a dozen large cows stood very close, looking my way along with unconcerned calves lying chewing the cud. For this time of the year I was surprised at how many fields had new born calves. Need to ask farmer John the next time I see him. I knew from the route description that I had to walk through a field and now I was wondering what might be in that field.

Open gate = no beasties

Sauntered up through the trees until I could see an open gate ahead, at least there would be no animals in the field. From the droppings there had been sheep here recently.

Back into the forest I was on a good trail when I came across the barrier of trees blown over by the recent storm. Some inelegant crawling to get past them. They wouldn't be the last.

Take the high road

Nice and peaceful. Further on I came to a junction, the right one appeared to be descending so go left young man.

Vibrant green fields of Dallas

Easier to negotiate this lot

Stopped every so often to listen and spot the birds. Some good ones today including my rarely seen Great Spotted Woodpecker and actually got a snap of a Treecreeper.

I spotted a couple of possible tracks to break off and head uphill but opted to go a little further. The one I chose did not look too enticing and had probably been a forestry machine as too wide for a quad. Not the best walking underfoot as the track was hidden and full of debris. I kept going until almost at the top where I stumbled across the MTB track. A lot better than what I had used.

Sadly this track only lasted for a minute before I reached the open deforested area. The usual scene of landscape devastation. But where was the trig? Moved on a bit then spotted it over to my left.

Careful walking trying not to trip and do some damage. At the trig not much to see as mostly surrounded by trees. There was an open area looking south which I think is the Hill of Mulundy but as always it was the wind turbines that caught my eye.

Much better track

Headed back to find the MTB track and followed this all the way back to the main track. No obvious bike tread markings so I doubt that this is much used if at all these days.

A pair of Jays screeched and flew across the path disappearing into the deep of the plantation, neither to be seen or heard again this trip.

Ben Rinnes is under a bit of cloud

It was a pleasant stroll back to the car but I was aware of my injury so time to call it a day and hopefully live to ramble again tomorrow.

Ascent: 126m

Distance: 5.6km

Time: 1.36

Wildlife: Coal Tit; Blackbirds; Redwing; Goldcrest; Long Tailed Tit; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Treecreeper; Jay;

An injury tester.....Burgiehill

Hill: Burgiehill

Type: Sub2k

Height: 254m

I was still recovering from my leg injury but I was fed up with my lack of activity so headed north primarily to do some biking. Thankfully my long term injury had not stopped me cycling which kept me sane to a certain degree. Despite that, within the area I was visiting, there were a number of Sub2k’s with short walks and minimal ascent, so ideal to test out my recovery. Weather forecast was mixed but I was needy.

It was not nice enough to motivate me to cycle today so Burgiehill was to be the first of the tests.

I parked at a T junction tucked in on a small patch of soggy grassy ground, the cars 4x4 capabilities might be tested later.

The road sign beside my parking area was a classic relic from the past. Modern road signs don’t have that level of distance detail, timeless quality.

No navigation required I just followed the winding back road up the hill, no hardship as it was early morning peacefulness accompanied the birds singing, I think they think it is spring. Beautiful autumn colours, end of season fading but still grand.

I reached my turning off point, left the road and headed into the woods. tramping a track which would take me all the way to the top, ideal and so far no leg pain.

The trees hemmed me in which made it even darker but also brought the birds closer. A good moving flock of Coal Tits accompanied by my favourite Long Tailed Tits.

Sadly this section of track was obviously regularly used by a dog walker who did not clean up, not really used to that these days.

Puffball mushroom. I read that these can explode with an unthinkable trillion seeds dispersing and that only one might survive, here it is!!

I heard a loud noise and thought a small waterfall was nearby. But the reality was that it was a heavy shower pounding down on to the trees only 10 yards away. It was so amazing as I was dry and the rain was so heavy, so close. I don’t think I have ever been so close to the edge of a shower, brought a smile to my face.

A couple of minutes later more smile time. I spotted movement at the side of the track and for a few minutes observed a shrew, taking its time foraging for whatever. I got a good video of it on the phone but sadly I cannot get video clips to transfer to this blog.

The blade was operational and rotating but one blade caught.

Further on I was aware of a noise breaking the sounds of the birds. Of course the noise is sadly now identifiable as I hear it all too often. The low but loud tone of a wind turbine turning. I could not see it and then I could. Well at least I spotted the turning blades through the trees.

Ben Rinnes in the distance

Not long after I passed after the wind turbine the better views became more regular through gaps in the lower trees.

Lights came on a I approached no doubt on I am CCTV

I spotted the tops of the radio masts above the trees so even though I seemed to be walking away from them I knew my finish was close. A 90 degree turn took me back to the mast compound. From my research I knew that the trig was close by but exactly where?

Peering into the trees on either side of the approach before passing the compound where I noticed a track heading into the trees at the rear. I followed it and soon spotted the trig on my right.

The hidden trig, no triangulation with this one

At the summit of Burgiehill, instead of a view for your efforts, you are rewarded with a trig point hidden in the trees. At some point this would have been clear of trees and no doubt enjoyed good views over the landscape of Moray, but no more.

As I made my way back I stopped at a clearing and was saddened by how many wind turbines could be seen. No area of Scotland’s beautiful landscape has been spared and from a recent planning map that I saw many, many more are to come. And no benefit to Scotland. Sky high electricity prices and all the profits going away from these shores, thanks a bunch SNP you have presided over this mess.

Loads of fallen trees in the forest but none blocking the path

Then my final spoiler of the ramble. I heard a noise and looked round to see a solid Rottweiler was running at me with its its owner chasing it, shouting to me it was friendly. At least it stopped and to be fair it did not jump on me but the growling coming from it did not seem overly friendly, nor did its reaction when its owner tried to put a lead on it. At least its attention was on him until he secured it. No harm done but it spoiled my ramble especially as every time I looked back they were not that far behind me so I walked a bit faster.

Artistic shot of the day. I hadn't realised the rain was on the lens

I was happy to safely reach the car. I was aware of my injury but for the most part it had been good so another smile. A short ramble but objective achieved. Time to test it on another wee hill.

NB: The area is home to the derelict Burgie Castle, a 16th-century tower house. The castle was built by the Dunbar family. Burgie is a French surname so presumably the area is named after someone with French connections prior to the Dunbars with the hill being named after them.

Ascent: 142m

Distance: 6.9km

Time: 1.33

Wildlife: Jay; Coal Tit; Long Tailed Tit; Chaffinch; Shrew (Water I think); Buzzard;

More straightforward than expected.....Ben Lui circuit

Hill: Ben Lui (Calf Hill) (1130m) Beinn a’ Chleibh (Hill of the Creel) (916m)

Type: Munro x2

A month or so back, on a beautiful day, I drove towards Tyndrum and over on our left Ben Lui looked stunning, every bit a pointed Alpine peak. I remarked to the good lady that I was negligent to have not bagged this peak already. I reflected on why this should be as it was on my original 100 list. The main considerations were to do Ben Lui as a solo from Dalrigh or both with the day being potentially stopped in its tracks if the River Lochy was running too high to be safely crossed. The river crossing was the main deterrent.

So onto the new to-do list it went.

A month or so later the opportunity arose and my decision was to do Ben Lui as a solo by bike/hiking from Dalrigh. Everything was packed and prepared for that adventure. Bike attached to the car and all set to go early in the morning.

Then after dinner that evening I watched the weather forecast which had changed from a reasonable day until 3pm, instead being high winds from early doors and rain by 1pm. The Dalrigh route has 4 possible route options with some routes being exposed and some routes with significant scrambling. Despite watching videos I was still not convinced of the best route from Dalrigh in poor conditions so I changed my plan.

The Munro double was now on from the River Lochy side, river allowing.

I made an early start and as I drove north it was clear that the low clouds were unlikely to lift much. I still had the bike attached so if it came to the worst I would just go for a cycle, no hardship in this beautiful countryside.

Approaching the Glen Lochy car park the positive was that the river was running low so one potential obstacle ruled out. However looking upwards Chleibh was clear but Lui was well covered. Decision made, I am here so go for it.

Crossing the river was fairly straightforward apart from testing my balance on the boulders. Crouching low enough to get under the railway bridge was not so easy, my old body not as flexible as it once was.

Just after the river spotted this Scotch Argus hiding in the grass

Over the river the track was narrow and the growth full. After a burn crossing Walkhighlands recommends crossing another burn and going into a new plantation. The trees looked well established and from this side of the burn and I could see no obvious path in the plantation so just continued on the track this easterly side. On this muggy morning it was probably full of nasty beasties after my blood. A good decision as it was boggy in places but straightforward and brought me to the forestry road.

The next track was straight across the forestry road where I was now on the boggy path from hell. Walkhighlands describes it as ‘some sections are very boggy’. Really, almost all of it, for about 30 minutes is one of the worst mud fest I have walked through. At times I was prodding my pole to test the terrain and it was disappearing easily knee high length into the gloop.

It was a major relief to reach the deer fence gate albeit with muddy legs.

Heading up to the cloud doesn't look steep from here, snaps are deceptive! 

I decided to to take the easterly route and make a circuit of it. This was the grassy slog of all slogs, around 600m straight up. The faint track came and went before disappearing altogether. 

The ridge finally appears

Summit clouds were joined by these scudding through, made for a nice snap

Unrelenting grassy slopes were getting tiring, not helped by the clouds coming in and the route ahead becoming a grey vista with the odd big shape looming out of the gloom.

Soon be time to use my hands

Finally I met up with the western ridge track from Dalrigh, but the track did not last too long. It was still a steep ascent. Poles away as a section of light scrambling beckoned good fun. The track occasionally flirts with the edge with glimpses of grey crags but no downward views. After some minor hands on the good news was that the summit of Lui was unexpectedly reached. 

Summit cairn looking back the way I had come

Sadly no views in the clag and with a strong gusty cold wind I did not hang about. A brief chat with a couple of guys before heading back to find the track to Chleibh and lunch at the bealach. 

A brief glimpse of Chleibh & Fionn corrie

The clouds parted briefly to give a good sighting of the way ahead and as most people have said Chleibh looks an underwhelming Munro from this perspective. Not that I was complaining an easy ascent I was looking forward to, I had done my hard work.

This type of rocky, stony gravel track is not my favourite descent terrain but it does zig zag so not a severe downhill. After around 200 metres of descent I was below the clouds which lifted my mood as I had views again.

No climbing that erratic today

Final track to summit

I had my nutrition break at the track junction, thankfully now out of the wind, before making the final short ascent of my second Munro Beinn a’ Chleibh. Nice to have such a short hike to bag another Munro. 

Cruachan hills & Loch Awe

More passing clouds the rain is due anytime

The 1^st cairn is the summit but I wandered along to the 2^nd to take in the views, no rush now as my climbing over, time to enjoy the views. There is a 3rd if you fancy and if the rain had not been due soon I would have. Good views down to Loch Awe and across to the Cruachan Hills but not with great detail, still better than nothing.

Lui still under cloud

Back down the corrie to the trees, Ben Nevis can be seen back right

Spotted another walker on my ascent ridge

Back to the bealach where the descent track, initially steep, was a mixture of stone and grass, all with a flow of water, of course it disappeared from time to time.

The only section of gloop with some boards for assistance

Glad to have the odd section of trees

The descent through the gloop section was slightly easier as I could spot better lines and make better use of the trees but as soon as I felt smug another gloop section barrier was reached without an alternative.

Thankfully I reached the forest road and followed my original track back to the river and the parking area. As I approached the river light rain started to fall, good timing. The river was ideal for boot cleaning.

A good but tough ramble. A shorter distance than most double Munros but that was offset by the very steep climb to Lui.

Ascent: 1124m

Distance: 11.6 km

Time: 5.55

Wildlife: Scotch Argus; Golden Ringed Dragonfly; Meadow Pipit; Raven; Robin; Wheatear;