Beinn Bhreac from Inverbeg

Hill: Beinn Bhreac (Glen Douglas)

Type: Graham

Height: 681m

I had been up the summit before but from a different start, further down Glen Douglas. So a new route appealed but the weather didn't. The forecast was poor and the reality married with the forecast. Constant rain which became hail up top. Saturated moorland. Winds gusting to 50mph. The top was serious stuff trying to stay on my feet. Still it got me out and after a couple of weeks break my walking fitness needed it. Soaked but a good walk. Very few snaps taken.

Head up the treeline

Steep start, Loch Lomond behind

Bhreac appears out of the gloom

Ascent: 618m

Distance: 7.4km

Time: 3.39

Wildlife: Buzzard; Red Grouse

It should have been a lot easier up Beinn Bhreac

Hill: Beinn Bhreac (Luss) (Speckled Mountain)
Category: Graham
Height: 681m

It was a ‘will I, wont I’ decision this morning. I had not prepared to walk but the forecast apps suggested that this was going to be the only decent walking day of the week, indeed a lot more awful weather due.
Once the ‘will I’ had won next decision was where? As I was later leaving  it had to be a shortish up and down. So, I decided to add on the missing hill from last weeks ramble in Glen Douglas and hope that the terrain was better.

Follow that muddy track

I parked up at the same spot but noticed a forestry machine had left a track from here so this became my starting point instead of wandering up towards the farm and the formal start. From the indentations I think this had been one of the nearby MoD’s tanks lol, definitely caterpillar tracks and ground well flattened. Of course the downside was a wet boggy slippy track particularly after the weekend rain.
Still the track went up and around the wood to the top of the tree line where it became more like a quad back track. But no complaining it was much better terrain than its pal across the way.
The terrain was good but once again my mind and body were in different universes. From early on my calves were burning and I was finding it hard going. Unusually for me I was picking spots ahead to focus on, make the hard yards and have a rest, glad I was on my own and making my own pace. Interestingly after the event my heart monitor showed I was not stretched, a strange one.

Looking up the An t-Sreang to the Alps

Despite this stop start I was still making progress up the hill. I think the faint quad tracks helped the motivation.
Stopping was no hardship as there were fantastic views up the An t-Sreang and on to the Arrochar Alps and the neighbouring Corbett’s. There were some heavy grey clouds around which for me meant push on, maybe the storm forecast for later was blowing in early.

Ben Arthur fore and Beinn an Lochain behind

I could see a fence above me which was where the quad tracks went, a new fence sturdily constructed and of course barbed wire on top. A few futile half attempts made me reconsider. From this angle I could see a gate in the fence down below but descending was not an option. 

Helpful rope with Tullich Hill behind

Optimistically I continued to follow the fence as it contoured away from the top and my instincts were good. An assisted crossing point. The rope protected me from the barbs so all good again.

Trig comes into view ominous cloud

I knew that the top could not be far away but no tracks here. Suddenly Loch Lomond appeared in the haze, great view and to my left I spotted the trig, all was good.

Looking north from the trig

The views from the summit were stunningly beautiful particularly the snow covered tops which stretched miles and miles away.

Snow capped Ben Lomond

 Ben Lomond so close over the water. Conical Ben More very white. The Lawers range looked so clear. 
It was to be fair exceedingly cold on the summit, the feel like temperature well below zero so I was not lingering for long. The ridge looked tempting but that is for another day, maybe coming up from the hotel side, on a good day it will have excellent views.

Follow fence to gate on descent Arrochar Corbetts behind

Still back down the same way but heading to the gate this time. About half way down I heard powerful car engine break the silence. Then below came a few vintage cars, numbers on their sides so part of a formal rally. As I descended there must have been at least thirty passing by, not a convoy, well spaced out. Not racing but interesting, all shapes and models but all made a spectacular noise. I found out that it was a 4 day trip from Lands End to John O’ Groats.

Vintage

So that was that. Objective achieved and much less stressful than the ramble up Tullich Hill.
I have just realised that my last 3 walks were not on my winter list, need to get focused on that.
PS: That night a massive and very painful virus hit me, that was the reason for my out of form. It was a nasty few days.

Wildlife: Stonechat; Raven; Chaffinch (flock); Fieldfare (flock).
Time: 2.45
Ascent: 610m
Distance: 5.3km

More solitude and isolation, Arran this time.

Hill: Beinn Bhreac Arran

Start at Lochranza

Category: Sub 2k
Height: 575m
I decided to tick off one of my outstanding Arran hills. After the bedlam of the ferry and the bus it was nice to start my walk just outside Arran distillery in Lochranza. I didn’t expect to see anyone on this walk today and I wasn’t far wrong.
The route I chose looked straightforward, a 3 mile walk through the tranquil and isolated Gleann Easan Biorach to Loch na Davie, then pick a spot to my right and go uphill to the summit. More on that later.
The bus was late arriving in Lochranza so my tight trip was even tighter to get my bus back.
The route through the glen has a burn all the way on your left so no excuses for getting lost here. To begin cut in at the bridge, there is a sign and now there is a straightforward but steep track which leads to a deep gorge which can be bypassed before it opens out into the moorland.

Past the gorge heading out onto the moor

For the first mile the track is obvious and in good condition but deteriorates after about a mile when you reach the waterfall.

Lots of small waterfalls

Now the rising track comes and goes, it is very stony and boggy, lots of boulder hopping and wet boots, gaiters on. The rains of the last fortnight have made this very wet, did we have a dry summer?

Marker stones, this snap is looking back taken on the descent

I reach a small stone cairn, indicating a turn off? From the map this would take you between Beinn Bhiorach and Bhreac. In retrospect I would have taken this and made the ascent an easier gradient.
After the 3 miles I reach the lochan which despite its small size is important. Its run back to Lochranza feeds the distillery and its fine malts. At the other side it descends into Glen Iorsa and its waters.

Loch na Davie down below, Caisteal Abhail behind

I have climbed to 360 metres with just under 200 metres of direct ascent. The first section was okay but the final 100 is rough and rugged heather moorland with plenty of holes hidden underfoot.

Castail, Cir Mhor & Tarsuinn in shot

I was glad to reach the plateau and headed towards the cairn just as a stag and 5 hinds spotted me and ran off. It looks slightly higher further across but not according to GPS but there are good views down Glen Iorsa.

Glen Iorsa

Despite the low grey clouds there are still great views from the top. Arran’s Corbett’s showing their moody best. Looking west Beinn Tarsuinn looks dark and foreboding. Towards Catacol, Meall nan Damh, another sub2k to be climbed soon.
Time is not on my side so off I went descending further along the ridge before cutting down to the track, slow but sure as still lots of holes. I disturbed another group of hinds, certainly plenty of fresh poo around, there are lots of deer here.
Walking down the track I spot a Merlin flying low over the heather, stopping on a boulder and I get a grainy long distance snap confirming it. Maybe looking for one of these?

Meadow Pipit

Also a golden eagle appears above, getting lucky today but again the advantage of solo walking.
About half way down I meet a family with a young kid, tourists it turns out. I am asked if they are near the village, what village? Map out they were heading to Catacol and were dismayed when I showed them how far away they were from it, the rough terrain already getting to them and the kid not equipped. Thankfully they heeded my advice and followed me back to Lochranza.

Scotch Argus

On the descent I was also lucky enough to spot this Scotch Argus butterfly near the gorge, getting better identifying these now.

Lochranza in sight

Back at the bus stop with 10 minutes to spare but no time to browse for a bottle of malt, there will be another day. 
An excellent short walk, I am getting used to this isolation and solitude walking lark. The constant backdrop of running water helps the mind.

Wildlife: Red deer, Golden Eagle, Buzzard, Meadow Pipit, Merlin, Scotch Argus.

Time: 3.39
Ascent: 579m
Distance: 10.9k

Beinn Bhreac Skye

The morning was spent walking along to the beautiful Coral sands, well worth the short walk and we were rewarded to see a pair of otters swimming at a fair pace on the surface, a real bonus as we have seen individual sea otters before but never a pair, a good start. 
After that the walk leaves from the same car park with a walk to the Sub 2000, Beinn Bhreac at 329m, hopefully another one that the good lady could manage. From our cottage at Stein we look onto the hill from the other side. A trig is visible from the cottage side but this is a fair distance from the real top.

Start here

If I was doing this walk again I would do my route to the summit, then the ridge walk to this trig and descend the rough pathless slopes with the car park in view.
To begin walk up the track for only a 100 metres to a stile and from here there is a great grass farm track that takes you in line with the summit top at 329m. No livestock today but no doubt there will be at other times.

Trig descent route for next trip

Once over the stile straight ahead there is a good view of the trig point and the crags beside it.

Destination in sight

The track turns right and you now look at the crags below the high point of the summit. A gentle gradient rise with this excellent grassy track allowing you time to take in the views, buzzard calling, a hoodie eating something.

Good grassy track

Just before the track ends head up to the crags. This is now deep moorland terrain but ok if you are used to the Galloway hills, not so in the case of the good lady she found this tough.

Off track here to crags

The expected high winds were kicking in as well but thankfully only spots of rain, but when we reached the crag it was enough for her. Almost all the climbing has been done now but still a bit to go.

Trig along ridge

She was settled down so I moved on to towards the high point. From the crags there are two plateaus and at this stage I can see the trig to my left but not the top so followed the GPS line. As expected this area is now very wet marshland with peat hags thrown in so progress slowed.

Summit cairn?

At the next crest I am surprised to see a 2nd trig/cairn to my left, check map nothing marked, but the high point is to my right. I head for that and confirm map and GPS, 329m point located and these small stones appear to represent it within a peat hag.

Looking back to Dunvegan Head

I did have some views back to the cottage but they would be even better from the trigs. Great views over the Tables, the Western Isles and the snow covered Cuillins. As said I will be back and walk the rest of the ridge.
As I have lost sight of the good lady my purpose was to get back ASAP as I knew she would be concerned. Met up, some Jelly Babies as a treat and descended the same way.
So another short walk with excellent views. Not a huge hill but if looking to pass a couple of hours with views at the end, I recommend it.

Wildlife: Skylark, Meadow pipit, Buzzard, Hoodie,
Time: 2.14
Ascent: 358
Distance: 6.1km