Final Walk of the year....The Fruin at last

Hill: The Fruin
Category: Sub2K
Height: 361m

Last walk of 2019 so it had to be a new hill. Looking at my map this was the nearest driving from home so time to get it done.
In truth I had been putting it off because of its reputation. Walkhighlands description ‘The Fruin is a wet moorland above the Faslane Nuclear Base between Glen Fruin and the Gare Loch’. Wet being the polite way to say a sodden boggy hard tramp across featureless terrain, walk reports concur.
Still the forecast was for beautiful blue skies and great views, this might not be high and a sod to get to but the views will more than compensate.

Misty start

Or so I thought. Still dark when I defrosted the car and set off. When I reached the Erskine Bridge it was dense fog and this continued all the way to the walk start, what had I done?
Here anyway so off I set along a familiar path, the 2nd section of the Three Lochs Way, reminder finish that off as well this winter.

How old is this cracker?

Plenty of old trees in this wood with stories to tell, who does not like old gnarled trees? 
Good news was that the direction I was going did have blue skies and sunshine. But, the landscape has changed since my last visit. The upper trees in Highlandman’s Wood, which you skirt is being deforested but thankfully no workings today.

Head for the treeline and blue skies

Leave the main path to head up the moor. There is a noticeable swathe through the moor, the cattle have been here and their big heavy weights sink into the ground creating huge water and mud filled holes. No other way to go so just plough through. 

Looking back still blanketed in fog

After about 100 metres of gloop the ground hardens and is now just moss water traps to sink into.
I spot a pair of roe deer looking at the carnage, thinking that used to be our home!! 
Followed this track upwards to the trees and the dyke, scramble over the wet fence and surprised on the other side to see a narrow track continuing to the first high point at Tom na h-Airidh. Already the views are picking up with the Luss hills on the right particularly standing out.

Air vents, what lies below?

Secret Scotland up here as well. Spotted these air vents so something is hidden under the moor, MOD secrets.
The frustrating bit is that this point is only 7 metres lower than The Fruin. I can see it ahead. It is about a kilometer away but the terrain in between is where The Fruin fully merits its reputation.
No tracks and the moor has been prepared for tree planting at some point in the past so regular deep channels are another obstacle. Not hard going but great care needed, reminds me of Tullich Hill.
A fence is running on my right so I head for it in the hope of better terrain, nope.
Another junction fence reached and at this one I should have crossed sideways as there was a good path on the other side, unseen from here, which I found and used on my descent, much easier.
Still more wading through very soft grassy areas where you went in deep at times. The previous mud all gone, boots clean, this is just pure Scottish water.
Three red deer hinds appear, got a blurred snap but far too big to be anything else.
Another barbed wire fence, I crawl under the bottom. The top is just over there but next barrier is a big gate, locked of course, with wire across the top to hinder climbing over it. It is either this or the barbed wire, the farmer is obviously not keen on walkers.
Small cairn then about 20 metres away a slightly larger one, another one done. Time to take in the views and enjoy my flask of soup. The fog is still full on down below but up here superb views. I have often said you get more for your money on the small hills and this is another perfect example.

Luss Hills

A cracking view across Glen Fruin to the Luss Grahams of Chaorach and Mhanaich with The Strone ridge, memories of a very warm day.

Arrochar Alps and typical terrain in foreground

Of course the Arrochar Alps are all clear, another different angle to admire The Cobbler. 

Arran & the mast

Arran hills stand out above the fog and nearer a mast pokes through the cloud. This is brilliant and worth the effort, just 90 minutes to the top.
Time to descend. Staying east of the dyke the path was good until the fence junction. Then back over and the slog to Tom na h-Airidh where I speak to the only other person I saw on the hills, but he is a local and not daft enough to go onto The Fruin.

On descent western fog lifting

Reversed my route, took in the views, thought of the people below the cloud blanket unaware of how good it is nearby.

Last barrier still foggy down in Helensburgh

Objectives fulfilled for today, a short walk, another hill bagged and the end of a first class walking year stacked full of memories.
Time for a dram or two, Happy New Year.

Wildlife: Roe Deer; Red deer; Wood Pigeon; Snipe; Meadow Pipit; Redwing: Redshank; Carrion Crow.
Time: 3.02
Ascent: 1002ft 
Distance: 6.19m 

Three Lochs Way Helensburgh - Garelochhead

A change of plans gave me the opportunity to continue the Three Lochs Way sooner than expected. I knew that this section would be the most straightforward with more tarmac walking than I would like but the views actually more than made up for it. 

Car park start

I followed the route guide, albeit starting from the waterfront, which added .7 of a mile, following the rising gradient up Sinclair Street, reaching Helensburgh Upper Station, a quick left then right onto Upper Colquhoun Street straight uphill to the car park. Then go left onto a path signed for Rhu Marina and Glen Fruin.
A pleasant woodland walk crossing several bouncy railway sleeper footbridges, think some might need replacing soon.

1st Junction

After about 2/3rds of a mile a junction is reached, turn right onto a footpath signed for Garelochhead. The slightly muddy path continues uphill along the edge of the woods. 

Track to moor

At the top go through the gate and the track crosses moorland. Plenty of fresh cow pats and yes when I broached a top there they were just ahead. One by one their heads lifted to stare at me. No option, no going back, walk on through, make no eye contact, survived.
The views of the lower Luss hills are a treat to the eye, then a second gate is reached, the path goes over the Fruin Water to the minor road left through Glen Fruin.

Glen Fruin

This is now road and tarmac for most of the remaining walk, not so good for walking boots. You cannot get lost.
Today, the walk through the glen was an autumn feast of colour, tranquil for a while, just a few cyclists and one car. Then the guns were booming once again, reverberating around the hills and glen, pheasants turn be slaughtered this week. 

Glen Fruin 2

I am sure that is The Brack in the distance disappearing in a weather front, What, no rain today!! On with rain trousers just in time. As I walked on the light was constantly changing with the colours on The Strone light and dark. 

Strone House Peacocks

A loud calling beckoned and then Strone House along with its peacocks came before me. Warning signs ‘Army about‘.
The road climbs with super views around and back down the glen and a bit of history that I was unfamiliar with. A monument and seat on the right commemorate the Battle of Glen Fruin, where the MacGregors defeated the Colquhouns in 1603. 

Battle memorial

Reading the board and looking around the hills; The Strone; Chaorach & Tharsuinn, most in the sun brought it all to life.
Don’t take the MOD road beside the monument instead twist and turn uphill, the road soon levels out. 

Yankee Road

Now go right onto a tarred lane known as the Yankee Road ( American Rd on the signs, political correctness) - built by the American army in World War II. Immediately it forks; keep on the main tarred left branch, soon reaching the main A817 road. 
Good views northwards and now below to your left Faslane can be seen but no subs around.
I walked along the military road until the signpost for the route that takes me down to Garelochhead, this is on your left. 

There is a barbed wire fence here!!

Crossing the barbed wire fence was a bit of an effort. The wooded covered area swings alarmingly and not safe without someone to hold it, so I needed to use the wooden slat which was very slippy, fun!!.

Boggy track to Garelochead

Now this downhill section was without a doubt the muddiest, boggiest section of the walk, all the way down to the road. Just follow the gloopy path along the edge of the plantation, down a wall, avoiding your feet disappearing in the mud, through some woods then the road is reached. 
I crossed the road and followed the path into town and had only a 20 minute wait until a bus back to Helensburgh.
A good day. Mainly bright, blue skies, high wind chill and the odd shower. Hopefully complete the Way before the yearend.

Time: 3 hours 21m
Distance: 10.01mls (16.11km)
Ascent: 992ft (302m)

Three Lochs Way Balloch - Helensburgh

Formal sign for the way

A more sedate outing today with the good folks of KOIR, walking the first leg of the Three Lochs Way from Balloch to Helensburgh.
Parking at the car park opposite the railway station the first challenge for a few was to operate the automatic toilet at the tourist information. Sadly, not all successfully managed this so first stop in the woods!!
Such a mild day compared to yesterday's freezing wind but not the blue skies forecast.

Nice view to start the walk

On our way now pass the Lomond Shores shops, giving good views over the loch, and proper toilets for those in the know, woodlands saved.
A few twists and turns then over the footbridge and head up the steep road, watch out as quite a few cars on this stretch.

Watch out for cars

When the road ends the moor starts but just keep going following the clear track. When you reach the gate, on your right is the coffin stone, really just a big buried boulder but let your imagination go and think of the days past, manually carrying a coffin through this pass.

Ben Lomond

It is a good resting place as there are great views from here across the typical moorland terrain, of the loch, Ben Lomond, Conic hill and the Campsies.

Moor, Loch & Hills

A short but sharp climb through the trees brings you out at a small green water hole and continue on to the sign taking you up to a viewpoint. 

The only climb

Sadly rain showers diluted the views but some bedraggled fir trees with some Xmas decorations caused interest and speculation, is this the remains of last year or the start of this year? Feel free to post a reply if you know.

Xmas tree?

There is the option of taking in a sub 2000, Ben Bowie, looks a short but rough moorland ascent but not for us today.
Soon the track splits so take the left hand fork up to a gate which then gives a gentle descent towards Helensburgh. The views of the Firth of Clyde are excellent even on this grey day.

Firth of Clyde

Civilisation is soon reached, go past the school and then reach the main road. Go right and a lengthy road walk finally brings you to the railway station and the end of the section 1 walking. The most impressive building being this old school, I like the separate entrances for boys and girls.

Parish school

For us there is the excitement of two train rides (£1 with concession card, a bargain) to get us back to Balloch.
An enjoyable walk with plenty of laughs as always, very good company.

Time: 3hrs 50
Ascent: 1077ft (328m)
Distance: 8.27m (13.31km)