A cold summers day for a Pubil Corbett double

Hill: Meall Buidhe (907m) (Yellow rounded hill) & Sron a’ Choire Chnapanaich (837m) (The nose of the knobbly corrie)

Type: Corbetts

A return to one of my favourite glens but is this summer I asked myself as I stood at the end of Glen Lyon with the wind howling, the clouds grey, smirry rain and it was cold.

Start from houses

The double Corbett circuit seemed less attractive at this moment. Nevertheless hardy souls we are and off we went doing an anti clockwise circuit following the Cicerone route and not WH or SMC, highly recommended apart from the longer lochside walk at the end.

Up through the Pubil estate following an estate track until we reached the small hydro dam, the coos were aplenty but they ran away, yipee. Avoiding the numerous large pats was harder than avoiding them.

We initially stayed lower down, heading across the moor, wet and boggy at times, small hags, typical upland moor before, cutting up to the ridge to find the iron fence poles. After that it was a straightforward walk to the 1^st summit of Sron, under 2 hours good going. The number of frogs around today was unreal. 

Good views down over the very low reservoir of Loch an Daimh. There is a big drop but you are not aware of it.

Heading for burn and then up to the bealach

The next section to the 2^nd Corbett was to be the most awkward and as such the hardest. A steep descent to find the burn, peat hags to be avoided.

Then followed the burn upwards before peeling off to head for the ridge to find the next set of old fence posts. The contouring and rubbish terrain was hard work.

At the old posts there was a faint track, amazing how much easier the going is when the ground is flattened to a track, I was not complaining.

The next top is visible on our left but we are following the poles and taking a circular route before heading directly for the obvious cairn. Once again big is not always best as the true cairn is the smaller one further on. 

Summit plateau

Not the true top even though the cairn is miles bigger

It was pretty cold, almost freezing but the couple of Spaniards with us thought our weather was great compared to the oppressive summer heat they are used to. Surely there is a compromise to be found.

Our route now differs from the other routes as we headed due south down the steep grassy slopes. Stopping on same slopes for food and to enjoy great views over Loch Lyon and the impressive Coire Eoghannan, got to be some deer in there.

Found the required gate

Next a burn crossing before through the open gate in the deer fence. There is a very faint ATV track to follow through the newish plantation but beware there were a lot of hidden holes where trees had not been planted, care required.

Long walk back to the dam

Finally, we reached the loch and the long walk back to the cars with one steep climb to finish that I would rather not have had.

Overall, an excellent ramble in good company but some heat please.

Ascent: 1026m

Distance: 16.9

Time: 6.09

Wildlife: Common Frog; Small Heath Butterfly; Chimney Sweeper moth; Hare; Red Deer (hinds); Golden Eagle: Raven.

Could not see much yellow.....Meall Buidhe (Glen Lyon)

Hill: Meall Budhie (Glen Lyon) (Yellow Hill)

Type: Munro

Height: 932m

Today was meant to be a double up and down Munro bash but the forecasted weather made me think twice. I had a long drive to the start and heavy rain was forecast to arrive between 2 & 3. Additionally a grey day with thick cloud so nae views so only one hill.

It was also meant to be a completion of my Glen Lyon Munros, maybe tomorrow.

Met a huge timber tractor vehicle on the very narrow road but thankfully we got past each other as I headed to the normal starting spot at Loch an Daimh. One car parked up (never saw them) and another arrived as I was walking off. Looked a bit of an odd chap and I barely got an acknowledgement as I walked away.

There are another two Corbetts down there somewhere in the gloom

There were low clouds around and drizzle as I started. I suppose this route breaks into three sections.

The estate route

Following the stalking advice I took the standard route (path 1) up-to the the main plateau. A decent gradient and slightly boggy but decent progress made.

Loch na Daimh

Section 2 is the peat hags, I seem to have come across much more of these than normal over the last few months. An intermittent track through the hags but again could have been a lot worse. Then a short pull up to the cairn at Meall a’ Phuill (possibly the hill of the mud, I wonder why?)

Open top

Further on small cairn not sure for what

Section 3 is the ridge walk to the summit with Glas Choire on your right but seen much better on the return. When the clouds lifted this was a very green coire definitely not grey. Lots of deer droppings but none spotted.

Top in view

Reached the summit cairn where I am assured there are spectacular views over Loch Rannoch, Scheihallion, Ben Nevis and lots more, but not for me today.

Looking back

Returned by the same route passing Mr Odd on the ridge, who was accompanied by his obvious clone, son of Mr Odd, poor boy. Again a brief nod from Mr Odd but nothing from junior, not even an eye glance, brought up well!!

At the far end clouds still not coming over the ridge

Great views of the atmospheric clouds swooping into the corries but never coming over the tops onto the ridge. Superb atmospheric viewing and I’m glad I am seeing some views.

Descent across the hags

Looking down on the northern parts of Loch an Daimh it is still so low on water.

Stuc an Lochain and big shadow on the loch

On the descent I was now getting good views of the companion hill, Stuc an Lochain. I was studying the ascent route so much that somewhere I missed a turn from my ascent route. I realised things were not as they should be but no big deal as I was still on a well worn path so followed this back down to the estate trail. At one point I could see three walkers at the point where I left the track and started my ascent. Clearly they had seen me and spent a bit of time debating the route before heading up my ascent route. I was too far away to shout but either start would have done for Section 1.

The weather had held up although heavy grey clouds were still threatening to drop those heavy showers.

An enjoyable short walk and surely one of the quickest Munros to bag.

Ascent: 555m

Distance: 9.01

Time: 2.43

Wildlife: Meadow Pipit; Hooded Crow; Golden Plover; Wheatear,

Third time lucky....Meall Buidhe.....Glen Ogle

Hill: Meall Buidhe, Glen Ogle ( Yellow Hill)

Type: Graham

Height: 719m

On my way to a planned trip I was looking for a quick up and down hill and decided to travel via Glen Ogle to tackle this hill at the 3rd attempt. On the previous two occasions I was intending to stop off on my way home but the weather was awful both times. Not a walk to bother about without the views unless you are a don't care less bagger and to be fair there are a few of them around. This time the forecast looked good for everywhere in Scotland apart from this section which was forecast for showers and yes they arrived. The annoying thing was that 10 miles down the road Tyndrum had no rain at all, that's showers for you.

Although this is categorised as a Graham the starting point is at the top of Glen Ogle thus giving a head start so an easy walk. 

Ferns here had grown to head height

At the start the track starts beside the car park and the ferns had grown much taller here than recent hills but luckily I was not wading through them. Food for thought for planning future walks.

There is an aerial mast about two thirds of the way up the hill so unless you are a masochist and want to go cross country the service road is the one to take. This zig zags its way up the hillside making progress even easier. 

1st view of the crags at the mast

Initially the track meanders through trees but then opens up to give you a view of the mast. 

Almost out of the plantation

Further on the track escapes the trees giving good views which become better as you ascend. The clouds were rolling over but no rain yet.

High point Meall Buidhe from the mast just pick a route

From the mast the cairn can be seen but the terrain in between is full on moorland, not D&G tussocks but not far off. The walking was awkward but not difficult. There was the occasional very deep hole to keep me wary but mainly it was heather and sphagnum bogs. 

Typical peat hag moor

After about a kilometre the ridge was reached and surprise, surprise on came the rain. I had swapped to my light rucksack and had put in a waterproof jacket but not the trousers, so wet shorts!!

The big cairn as a shower passes

Once on top there are two of cairns, oddly the smallest being the high point. 

Looking down Glen Ogle towards Lochearnhead

Slightly further west there is a more substantial cairn which would normally give good views down into Glen Ogle but for me atmospheric would be a better description as the clouds prevented downwards looking, still not bad.

It had been a short walk and I was feeling good so rather than return the same way I decided to head along the ridge to the north top of Beinn Leabhainn. Strongly recommended as even in these conditions the views are so much better and on a good day would be quite stunning.

The traverse is not all ridge, there is a descent into more very wet bog but thankfully short lived before heading up the ridge again, once on top the cairn is in sight. Fresh deer and grouse droppings around but no live ones spotted.

Killin with Lawers range behind

Loch Tay

As you head towards the cairn good views of the Lawers hills directly ahead and to the east Loch Tay opening out more and more. 

Looking West up Glen Dochart to Tyndrum

From the cairn the full vista also covers the Tyndrum hills and closer the Munros along Glen Dochart. Pretty dammed good but would be fabulous with the air clarity I had on Dun Rig.

Mast ahead

From here the top of the aerial can just be seen peaking over the horizon. Easy navigation and an easy descent albeit along more poor walking terrain but the aerial mast is soon reached.

Winding track back to the start

To finish just follow the track back to the car. A young couple passed me heading up, the only people seen on the hill all day. 

Back at the car the humidity had brought out the midgies and they were having a feast with me on the menu. I had midge spray in the main rucksack but I was getting so many bites that I abandoned trying to find it. Simply jumped into the car and drove away with the windows open hoping they would be blown out. Maybe some did but others lived to continue the feast.

An enjoyable walk and definitely a small hill to return to when the weather allows the views to be enjoyed in full.

Annoyingly when I got to my digs and checked the weather forecast for tomorrow it had changed and was very poor indeed. I had planned to kickstart my Munro count with a Dalmally double but the forecast was predicting heavy rain and very poor visibility by lunchtime, so a rethink required. Next blog will tell what happened.

Ascent: 474m

Distance: 9.1km

Time: 2.28

Wildlife: Chaffinch; Blue Tit; Meadow Pipit; Small Heath