Wee hill with big views.....Meall Chomraidh

Hill: Meall Chomraidh

Type: Sub2k

Height: 466m

I had meant to do this short ramble the last time I was in the area but things got in the way. So another opportunity. The good lady was going to stick to walking the good track further up into Glen Chomraidh whilst I took the short diversion to bag another Sub2k.

1st view from the track with the crags this side

Not surprising there are only a couple of reports for the hill. I knew that if I continued up the glen there is a shorter but steeper option but looking at the map I fancied cutting off at the track junction and going up the easier inclined route from the east. It is one thing looking at the map and another thing what the ground conditions actually looked like? Although only a small hill it has steep and serious crags if bad weather was around.

The start of the herd, shaky hands lol

A quiet scenic drive to the end of Loch Rannoch where we parked at Bridge of Gaur. A well constructed track, probably for woodland purposes, saw us heading up the glen towards a substantial herd of cattle on the horizon. A bunch of Highlanders spread about. They gave us a good looking over but no bother.

As I got sight of the hill I decided to stick with my eastern ascent. At least the good lady had a good view of where my route was.

I firstly headed for a stone surrounded by iron railings which turned out to be a family burial memorial. Carved into the stone it said that the family originally came from Dankeith in Ayrshire, a new place to me.

From the memorial I had spotted a break in the crags which looked straightforward and indeed it was at this time of the year. But since leaving the track I had walked over dead bracken until I reached the crag, later in the year this hill would be covered in bracken and not so easy a walk from this side.

Deer tracks got wider and muddier

Once I turned and headed up the hill it was more a less a straight line on my bearing. I expected no paths but found many deer routes and some of the stretches were more like deer highways. The only issue was that they had churned up the peat big style so it was on and off the muddy sections.

Wouldn't be the same without tussocky terrain

No issues en route, just a series of false tops before it flattened out into a boggy section and then the trig appeared. The usual tussocks but not of Galloway standard.

View towards Rannoch Station and Corrour

Because it is a stand alone hill it has cracking views in all directions. Looking down Loch Rannoch the peak of Schiehallion is prominent.

Rannoch station is clearly seen along with the Corrour mountains. In the distance behind is probably the Creag Meagaidh range but these tops are covered in cloud.

Black mount and Orchy

Glencoe peaks on left

Loch Rannoch and Schiehallion's peak

Looking west the Black Mount and Orchy hills stand out and behind me the Glen Lyon hills. It really is worth the short effort.

Bridge of Gaur at the trees

Home track with Leagag behind and Glen Lyon Munros behind it

Back down the same way enjoying the views. The view of Leagag brought back good memories of one of the largest red deer herds I have ever seen. Lots of tracks and droppings but none spotted today. The views of Loch Rannoch were less favourable. A fishing trip with nothing caught. A local talked to me and said you don't catch fish here if there is any snow showing on nearby hills and there was, local knowledge.

Got down just as the good lady arrived back from her stroll, good timing for once. I reckon the price to pay for my walk will be a visit to House Of Bruar, coffee and cake and the kids inheritance being frittered away.

Ascent: 275m

Distance: 5.4km

Time: 1.46

Wildlife: Barnacle Geese; Chaffinch;

Vrackie bealach on a stunning Winter's day

After watching the Banff mountain film festival yesterday it was our day to get out and enjoy Scotland’s great outdoors. Pitlochry was shrouded in mist this morning but being familiar with the town you don’t normally need to go too high to clear it and today was a case in point. As the good lady was with me today we opted for the Vrackie bealach circular, demanding enough for her, but should have great views if the blue skies came through.

Misty Pitlochry Kirk

After a tasty cooked breakfast it was time to work it off. We walked from the town and by the time we reached the Vrackie car park it was already the overspill park in use, a busy hill.

A straightforward, short, but pleasant woodland climb brings you to the moorland where the views begin to open out. Snow covered Ben Vrackie has been drifting in and out of view. The bright white snow contrasting with the autumn/winter coloured bracken and trees, just stunning. We had came out of the mist and pristine blue skies were now above.

Vrackie peaks out

Onto the moor to head for the junction of the bealach and also take in the views back to Pitlochry which was still shrouded in its blanket of mist.

Pitlochry & the Tummel still covered

Up here it was spring conditions, no need at this stage for hats and scarves. Indeed most other walkers we could see had jackets off as well but I knew when we soon crested the ridge it would be cold again.

Vrackie track

At the junction we decided to go anti clockwise so headed up the Ben Vrackie route. The snow and in particular ice was now prominent hence a bit of extra care needed. Vrackie was rising up and looked magnificent. Small dark figures could be seen both climbing and descending.

Frozen Loch a Choite

When we made the final turn around Stac an Fheidh the picturesque scene was stupendous. Loch a Choite was mainly frozen with occasional uniced patches of water, the sun was catching sections, surrounded by the snowy hills, quite beautiful. 

Vrackie was so tempting. In fairness the good lady did say I could go up but she could not do it and it was not fair to leave her behind. I have seen the view from the top twice but never in the snow, another day.

Into snow line again

We crossed the icy dam and headed north along its far bank, slushy, icy and boggy. Then we followed the path climbing to our highest point, 633 metres, Meall na-h Aodainn Moire, and then spent some time taking in the northern views. The Atholl glens prominent, particularly Glen Tilt, and the surrounding broad white hills just more great views.

Looks like smoke from a volcano

Now it was just a case of following the bealach back round to the junction and following the route back to Pitlochry. The fog was now burning off which also gave us nice views on the descent.

Follow the markers home

An excellent winter walk with magnificent views, just what the doctor ordered.
Time for a coffee and a large slice of carrot cake.

Time: 3.41
Ascent: 532m  
Distance: 11.88km 

Blath Bhalg Hill of the rutting stags

According to the SMC book this hill translates as ‘pleasant bulge’. As we know, Gaelic is such a atmospheric and descriptive language, that I was unsure about my expectations for this walk. I suppose it depends on where you are looking at the hill from but my route was as per the book, I had quite a few bulges, pleasant or not, an individuals call.
However, this is not a negative review, far from it, I had a superb walk and I would rename it ’hill of the stag’. The timing of the red deer rut not coincidental.
I had driven north this morning and wanted a leg stretcher within my tight timeframe. Just off the A9 and on the Pitlochry-Blairgowrie road was the Graham, Blath Bhalg, 641m in height but a lot less in actual walking.

The Start

Easy to find the start, two aerials stand proud either side of the parking area. Actually, when getting out of the car the northerly wind was chilling, a combination of now no car heater and the real wind chill temperature. Seasons are progressing towards the cold front.
The view ahead from the parking area was to be fair, potentially uninspiring, but there is no such thing as a bad walk.

Boggy ATV track

To avoid clambering through heather simply follow an ATV trail past the ariel and upwards, vague at times, but it takes you uphill all the way to the fence line. At times it does become less easy to spot but it is never far away, stop and look. Some reports mention walking across the heather, fine if you want a shortcut but the easiest way is to follow the track. This track is very boggy in places, particularly after this weather, but easy enough to walk around, however gaiters recommended
Soon into the walk I heard a stag loudly roaring to my right, must be beyond that hillock. Before long I spot four hinds moving quickly across the moor heading towards the area of the roaring, coincidence?

Follow the fence

A straightforward walk alongside Dalnacarn hill and its moorland plateau leads you to the fence line and then simply follow this fence all the way to the summit, great for navigation in poor weather, albeit there are a few minor up and downs on the way. 
I spot a large bird on the top and through the binos an eagle, no doubt. Photos are too blurry to publish but on zoom the wings and tip feathering is clear.
Two other birds dominated today. It was my first visuals this year of large skeins of geese following the northern wind highway south, probably arriving from where I have departed. Plus, this does not appear to be a shooting hill but red grouse were plentiful bursting out of the heather alongside me.

Summit ridge ahead

Following the fence to the top, take a 90 degree right turn which takes you along the up and down ridge to the tops at 637 and 639 and then go the last little bit for the extra views to the south and Loch Broom I think.
On this day not another person in sight, total isolation, the only noise is that from nature, bliss.

Summit looking to Beinn a'Ghlo

For a grey day the sun is still shining in patches and there are great views of Ben Vrackie, the Beinn a’Ghlo ridge going in and out of cloud, Carn Liath hopefully a destination for later in week but not all three Munros for me . 

Scheihallion zoomed

Schiehallion is unmistakable and could that be Ben Nevis behind in the distance as seen through the binos, not in this picture?

Looking to the west top

Summit top reached in 1 hour 10 mins, a short but good walk. Walked to the west top and back. Took my time up top soaking in the views. Then, time to descend, but this took much longer than the ascent and was the best bit. Why, because my eyes could focus on the moor, going slowly and I was deer watching. The roaring could still be heard but where were they?

Lonely stag

Shortly after I began the descent I spotted a sole, but majestic looking stag, standing in the open moorland to my left, he had also spotted me and quickly ran to the trees but he was not prepared to jump the deer fence, the photo is a grainy action shot. He simply ran up the fence line until out of sight. Imagination runs riot, was he a previous Monarch of the Glen or a Young Pretender? Interestingly he was the only stag I saw without hinds.

Stag 2 harem hidden from view

Then movement away to my right. This handsome stag was giving me the eyes, not too far away, and after a minute or so of deliberation he led his small harem of 6 hinds up the same slopes that I had just descended, much quicker going up than me.

Vrackie & Carn Liath

As I came back around Dalnacarn hill I walked over a top and stumbled across a herd of about 20 hinds just below, the wind was in my favour, where had they all appeared from? They were actually very close and then they saw/smelt me and ran away going round the eastern flank whereas I would go to the west. My concern was where was the stag and was I between him and his herd. I know the danger of getting between a testosterone beast and his harem, basically don’t. I didn’t but whatever but it was exciting and I was looking out for him for a while but never even spotted the hinds again.
Further down on my left another group feeding in the distance. The stag never lifted his head from his feeding but in the binos his bulk compared to the hinds, he was a very big boy.

Typical terrain on the descent

So a fairly short hill walk, read some of the online the reports and it seems unadventurous but boy, today it was the opposite, I had a great day. That’s what the hills are about, you just never know what you will see or here.

Time: 2.32 hr
Distance: 4.66m (7.5km)
Height: 997 ft (304 m)