A Pilgrim ramble.....St Ninians Cave

Walk: St Ninians's Cave

This short ramble was inspired by the Pilgrims walk from Glasgow to Whithorn but this is certainly not the full walk, only a very, very short section, the final mile or so. A recent visit to the Govan Stones and a chat with the staff kicked it off. Many pilgrims past and present would have visited the Govan site en route. Well worth visiting.

I was in the area for a break with the good lady site who was happy with a short walk to visit this historic place.

Scotland has so much history of all kinds and on my rambles I enjoy stopping and immersing myself in locations and try to imagine the sounds, sights, smells etc. of that history.

St Ninians Cave has been documented as a place of worship and healing back to the 8^th century. St Ninian is reputed to be the 1st Saint in Scotland, 397AD. That's a huge wow for me. The Latinus Stone on display at the Priory is the oldest surviving Christian memorial.

The ramble will be narrated mainly via the snaps.

Well sign posted

Despite the time of year the birds were still singing in this lovely wooded section

Out of the woods there are options

But we continued straight on down Physgill Glen where the water soon came into view. Despite it being summer the weather was cool, the water was gunmetal grey rather than Mediterranean blue but this is Scotland.

Colourful flora such as this Campion all around the path as we walked down

Evidence of geological upheaval 

A true shingle beach to cross to wards the cave seen ahead. Not much different to what the 8th century pilgrims would have seen

How smooth are these?

A recent podcast suggested that rocks with this quartz strata lining had a good chance of containing a fossil. Same podcast examined rocks from Nairn area and found some minerals had only be found in rocks in Estonia. Considering they started being formed sub equator they have travelled a long way.

Just reflect on the exact spot and cave entrance, those early travellers all stood here. The interior has collapsed so only the entrance is clear, although danger of rockfall signs around.

Not quite sure she is a pilgrim!

Free Sea Kale for your foraging diet

Rock Pipit

Trail back that away

The season is coming to an end

So an excellent short ramble. For those a lot more adventurous the walk can be comfortable extended by doing a circuit from Whithorn or including some of the way marked coastal paths.

Time to relax, some mead would be appropriate.

The good lady's type walk.....Port Appin to Clach Thoull

 Walk: Port Appin to Clach Thoull (Hole in the Rock)

View across Loch Linnhe to Kingairloch, beyond the bright blue sky day!

The weather forecast was for clear blue skies all day and it might have been for some as you can see in the snap but not for us!!

After our very misty short hill walk we came back to sea level and drove along the single track road the delightful small hamlet of Port Appin. I had hoped to visit this spot earlier in the year to get the ferry over to Lismore and cycle the island. The good lady was with me today so that was not an option. Instead the short circular walk to Clach Thoull was more her idea of fun.

Despite the lingering low cloud slightly higher it was lovely at sea level.

Ferry pier on right and Lismore on left

The walk starts behind the hotel walking past some nice houses and steep tree lined crags, then soon coming across a viewpoint area. Three different information boards and superb views over to Lismore and beyond. People were standing on the jetty, presumably waiting for the ferry, a lovely spot to spend some time.

Great Northern Diver

On the calm waters we potted a couple of Great Northern Divers, many cormorants and shags all regularly diving for their lunch.

Canada Geese

The sound of silence was rudely interrupted by the loud honking of geese. Around 20 were flying low across the water but then they kept coming in waves, I reckoned about 200 in total.

Walking on the trees were full of the normal suspects, Robins, Blackbirds and Thrushes.

Clach Thoull

Next stop was the first of two natural sea arches, this one named as Clach Thoull, both of which you can walk through. It was interesting to reflect on all the current climate discussions that at one time the sea level was clearly higher than it is just now for the crashing sea waters to have cut out these arches.

Lynn of Lorn

Cormorant

We took the short track through the bracken to the point of the headland, another tranquil spot with great views. On the near rocks a Grey Heron stood hunched and motionless, probably already fed. A Great Black Backed Gull on the further rocks and a Grey Seal’s snout and head showed briefly.

Walking back a great shot of how trees grow straight out of granite rock, no soil structure, quite amazing.

2nd arch, tried to get away but she found me

We rounded the headland and walked through the second arch with plenty of birds around. Airds Bay was at low tide but had very few birds on the mudflats today.

Then a short but beautiful woodland walk, amazing autumn colours still hanging on here. Birch, Oak, Hawthorn, Ash, Rowan, Holly & Sycamore, quite a mix.

Finally back to Port Appin and the unusual lighthouse lantern full of local information boards, a local historical exhibition. Some were hard to read because of condensation so a wee winter restoration project for some locals perhaps.

Overall a delightful short ramble in a beautiful part of the country and a large and varied amount of birds for a short ramble.

Ascent: 43m

Distance: 2.49km

Time: 1.01

Wildlife: Grey Seal; Canada Geese; Buzzard; Great Black Backed Gull; Hooded Crow; Herring Gull; Coal Tit; Blackbird; Robin; Redpoll’ Redwing; Dunlin; Goldfinch; Chaffinch;

A fabulous short ramble.....Glencoe Lochan

 Walk: Glencoe Lochan

On a short trip with the good lady I was looking for some short but scenic rambles that she could enjoy and this looked like a perfect opportunity to explore a rarely visited part of Glencoe village.

There is a well appointed car park but be warned it is a pay car park that does not take cash/card, mobile phone only payment system that come with dodgy reputations so you might be better to park in the village and walk the ‘hard’ extra 5 minutes.

This short circuit was a blockbuster for this time of the year, a short option but one that I would highly recommend for anyone wanting to stretch their legs on their way north or staying in the area.

Good lady eager to get on with it

What's good about it? Actually rather a lot. It is mainly a woodland walk, the trees being planted back in the 1800’s by The Earl of Strathcona to make his Canadian wife feel less homesick, didn't work as she went back to Canada. Still there are a lot of impressive trees, unfortunately a lot non native along with invasive shrubs . Throw in a small but very scenic lochan. There are 3 official coloured walking routes but our ramble incorporated all three.

She is doing well

But still more to come

Pap of Glencoe from the top of the trail

Initially a short but steep climb through the trees, up the blue ‘Mountain Trail’, steep for the good lady, before we got some hill views dominated by the Pap of Glencoe but also more views across Loch Leven.

Down to the lochan and out of the trees, Beinn a Bheithir was silhouetted on the calm water, stunning Autumn view.

No sooner up before we were heading back down to the lochan. We had seen some Redwings in the trees up top but out in the open they were flying over the lochan in huge numbers, hundreds were seen.

From another angle looking back is The Pap

Rounding the lochan a Great Spotted Woodpecker was hammering away, so loud. I cannot remember hearing one so obvious like this at this time of the year, always associated them knocking with Spring. It is a beautiful spot with Beinn a Bheithir silhouetted on the calm water. That brings back memories of a very hot day.

On the final section this American invasive shrub dominated, Gaultheria Shallon

Antler scrape?

The last section was another lovely woodland but at times many trees by storm damage. Mighty Douglas Firs and Sequoias amidst our traditional trees like Ash, Beech, Rowan, Oak etc. Also passed this which was the right height for a red deer to scrape its antlers against.

Looking across to the Corbett Mam na Gualainn with interesting clouds forming

Back at the car zoomed in on these dramatic Altocumulus clouds

A cracking short term ramble which highlighted the beauty and impact of a Highland woodland. The colours and structures were amazing. I was also taken by just how much bird noise there was. As it is Autumn it was obviously not the breeding season but clearly there was a lot of bonding calling going on as groups moved through the trees.

A wee ramble we will do again.

Ascent: 147m

Distance: 2.9

Time: 1.14

Wildlife: Great Spotted Woodpecker; Great Tit; Coal Tit; Long Tailed Tit; Robin;

Warmth at last for a short ramble.....Meigle Hill

Hill: Meigle Hill

Type: Sub2k

Height: 423m

I was on a wee break with the good lady and was not expecting to get a hill out of the trip, but she indicated a ramble might be good with all the fine dining calories we had taken on. Checking my to-do list I found a short Marilyn with a track all the way and only a short drive.

Yarrow valley fog

Looking out of the window it was a pea souper but I was confident that it would quickly burn off.

A lovely winding single track drive through the rolling Border hills to the start at Clovenfords.

It was a beautiful morning when we started, real heat, wow summer is all but over so this warmth was very welcome.

No obvious spots so parked up in a housing estate and walked the short distance to the start proper, which very unusually begins by walking through a working farm. No signs for walkers so hope it is the right place.

Through the buildings where a dirt track led up to another part of the farm, empty cow sheds, so the beasts might be encountered on the hill, don’t tell the good lady.

A wooden sign post indicated that there are a few walks around this area. For our ramble we initially followed the signs for the Meigle circuit.

The track was now a grassy and all around sheep were making plenty of noise as we passed them, presumably thought we had brought food. Ominously there were fairly fresh coo droppings and she had spotted them!

So the tactic was that I was on point walking about 20m ahead of her just in case I stumbled on the beasties.

Clovenfords on the right

Getting steeper I am ignoring the moans lol

Thankfully the gradient and ascent was as straightforward as I hoped, although there was still a few moans behind me which I chose to ignore.

Because it was a low gradient there was always the chance of meeting the beasts so I was on alert but so far so good. These rolling Border hills are a delight and the views were superb.

Cow tracks on the grass

Another signpost junction was reached, none of the routes that we were taking, our summit was the communication masts which were clearly visible. The walking tracks went cross country but we continued on the grassy track. Deep hoof prints and coo dung on the track but still no encounters with them.

Arrived at the first mast where the map marks something called Wallace's putting stone. I presume this round boulder is it with its cup and stone markings.

However the true summit is just after the 2^nd mast, a trig is on this side of the wall but a huge cairn on the other side of the stone dyke is the true top although there does not appear to be any difference.

Proof she made it

Still it was a beautiful day, the good lady was enjoying the views which included looking over our old stomping ground of Galashiels and beyond the Eildon's at Melrose. 

Wall butterfly. Been in the wars chunks out of its tail and wing

A few butterflies were flying around but one in particular caught my attention. This was a Wall butterfly which was my 1^st sighting this year and only my 3^rd ever so a lovely surprise.

After taking in the views we enjoyed a slow descent taking in more views and enjoying the warmth.

A good ramble and no coos spotted so good news all round. Time to go for a wee drive and find a nice cafe.

Ascent: 262m

Distance: 5.56m

Time: 1.55

Wildlife: Buzzard; Meadow Pipit; Wood Pigeon; Wren; Pheasant; Kestrel; Small White butterfly; Peacock butterfly; Wall butterfly;