Monday, August 30, 2010

Walk Corserine Scotland


Walk Corserine, Scotland.

Fantastic walk to Corserine in the South West of Scotland on 30th August 2010.

Starting from Garryhorn, we passed the old Lead Mines and failing to find a path, took to the tussocky slopes of Coran of Portmark. A beautiful view awaited over to Loch Doon and Loch Doon Castle.

Our next target was the Donald of Meaul, and was quickly reached on the excellent ridge. Carlins Craig was passed next before a short pull up to Corserine. We've climbed the hill before, through the forest from the East and I must say that the approach today was much better.

We returned over Cairnsgarroch to the Lead Mines for an excellent round.


Dyke on Cairnsgarroch.


Merrick from Corserine.


Carlins Cairn. Carsphairn Hills.


Merrick from Meaul.


Loch Doon from Coran of Portmark.


View to Loch Doon Castle.




Old Lead mines near Carsphairn.

Loch Doon Castle Galloway Scotland


Loch Doon Castle, Galloway, Scotland.

Loch Doon Castle in Dumfries and Galloway Region of Scotland is an impressive structure. This morning it was looking particularly well bathed in sunshine.

The Castle originally sat on a large island on the Loch, but was relocated when the valley was flooded for a Hydro generation scheme. Still looks good though!


Loch Doon Castle.


Loch Doon Castle, 30th August 2010.

Mist on Loch Doon 30th August 2010


Mist on Loch Doon, 30th August 2010.

The previous night camping at Loch Doon was a treat, with the star gazing potential of the Galloway Forest Park at its peak! The moon rose over the hill shimmering in the still Loch!

This morning was just as joyous, with the sunrise chasing the dancing mist away. Just breathtaking!


Loch Doon, Galloway Forest Park.


Sunrise on Loch Doon, 30th August 2010.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

View to Talla Cleuch Head Scottish Borders August 2010


View to Talla Cleuch Head, Scottish Borders, August 2010.

A nice long weekend walking in the Scottish Borders saw us climb a few of the rolling, Manor Hills. Whilst they're not as rugged as many hills in Scotland, they provide a fair challenge for the walker and some lovely views. We enjoyed seeing the wild bluebells in bloom and sighted both kestrel and peregrine falcon. A lovely relaxing place to enjoy walks in Scotland!


Thieves road, Scottish Borders, August 2010.


Megget Reservoir, Scottish Borders, August 2010.


Talla Linnfoots Farm, Scottish Borders, August 2010.

The Kings Seat Sidlaws Perthshire 25th August 2010


The Kings Seat, Sidlaws, Perthshire, 25th August 2010.

On my way to Dundee, I couldn't help but stop and take photographs af two of my most favourite hills. I've been regularly walking on the Kings Seat and the Black Hill in the Sidlaw hills, Perthshire, for more than forty years and still get a thrill from the views at the summit over the Vale of Strathmore to distant Glas Maol, Schiehallion, Ben Lawers, Ben Vorlich and countless other treasured hills.

25th August 2010 had a distinctly Autumnal feel, sunny but chilly, with the harvest ready to be gathered and the tatties not far away. I love these mornings.


Perthshire tatties ready to harvest soon!


The Black Hill, Sidlaws, Scotland.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Walk Ben Ledi The Trossachs Scotland


Walk Ben Ledi, The Trossachs, Scotland.

Reminded today of what a lovely part of Scotland that the Trossachs are. Rugged hills and Lochs combine with beautiful swathes of woodland and carpets of wild flowers. Ben Ledi is a lovely walk providing some great views. Try it sometime!


Orchid in the Trossachs.


Camping in the Trossachs.


Loch Katrine The Trossachs

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Walk Carn Eighe Scotland


Walk Carn Eighe, Scotland.

A walk over Carn Eighe in Glen Affric, Scotland takes you to the highest summit North of the Great Glen.

One of the greatest pleasures of the walk is starting and finishing by the fantastic Loch Affric. The remnants of the scots pine of the Caledonian Forest stir my heart to imagine the woodlands we enjoyed centuries before.


Loch Affric on 19th August 2010


Glen Affric, 19th August 2010.

Walk Mullach na Dheiragain Scotland


Walk Mullach na Dheiragain, Scotland.

Another remote hill, Mullach na Dheiragain offers a long day for a walk in Glen Affric, Scotland. We climbed the hill and its two munro neighbours from Strawberry Cottage at the West end of Loch Affric on 18th August 2010. By including the tops, we ended up spending eleven and a half hours on the hill! This view to Mullach na Dheiragain shows our route to the summit - a dramatic descent and reascent that I wouldn't like to repeat.

Large herds of red deer peppered the hills and a gliding golden eagle eyed me threateningly, before a ptarmigan popped up and asked for its photograph to be taken! Another great day on the hills!


Spot the Ptarmigan on Mullach na Dheiragain.


Sgurr a Bhealaigh Dheirg.

Pictures taken on our return to the Cottage on a lovely sunny evening.


Ciste Dhubh.


Crowberry on Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan.

Strawberry Cottage Glen Affric


Strawberry Cottage, Glen Affric.

Strawberry Cottage in Glen Affric is perfectly positioned to enjoy this wonderful Glen to the full. Whether walking, mountain biking, fishing, birwatching or just getting away from it all, this is the ideal location.

Star gazing also featured highly during our stay in August 2010 when we enjoyed shooting stars every minute, satellites gliding over and the fantastic milky way! The following morning we even had a fly through from an RAF jet which literally skimmed over the cottage on a training flight!

Early morning mist which promises to burn off is always a great pleasure when you are ready to set out for a walk and we made the most of our time, tackling the Glen Affric munros!


Views from Strawberry Cottage.


Bridge to Strawberry Cottage.


Bridge to Strawberry Cottage.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Walk Beinn Fhionnlaidh Scotland


Walk Beinn Fhionnlaidh, Scotland.

Beinn Fhionnlaidh is a remote hill normally climbed from Glen Affric, Scotland. The way happens to be blocked by two other munros Mam Sodhail and Carn Eighe, which makes for a long day! We climbed the three of them on the 19th August 2010 from the car park at Loch Affric by firstly climbing the impressive 'top' of Sgurr na Lapaich.

The day had mixed weather but as often happens in the Western Highlands we ended the walk in bright sunshine.


Rainbow over Beinn Fhionnlaidh.


Loch Mullardoch from Beinn Fhionnlaidh.

Loch Affric Glen Affric Scotland


Loch Affric, Glen Affric, Scotland.

We were fortunate enough to spend the 17th to 20th August 2010 in Strawberry Cottage at the Western end of Loch Affric in Glen Affric, Scotland. The Loch itself never looks the same for two days in a row. The light and feel of this special place make it a magnet for tourists. In spite of this, on our three days walking the hills, we met only three other people.

Our stay was enhanced by the sightings of golden eagle, ptarmigan and red deer along with a complete collection of alpine plants and flowers.

A big thank you goes to the An Teallach Mountaineering Club who maintain the Cottage and lease it out to other Hillwalking Clubs and members of the MCofS.


Loch Affric from Creag a Chaorainn.


Loch Affric, Glen Affric, 19th August 2010.

Walk Tom a' Choinich Glen Affric Scotland


Walk Tom a' Choinich, Glen Affric, Scotland.

A lovely walk in Glen Affric on the 17th August 2010 over the munros of Tom a' Choinnich and Toll Creagach. Glen Affric is considered one of the most beautiful Glens in Scotland and our walk through the Scots pine of the ancient Caledonian forest certainly had my heart racing.

The route follows a fine stalkers path onto the ridge of Tom a' Choinnich and presents no difficulties and an easy gradient.


On the ridge of Tom a' Choinich, 17th August 2010.


Loch Mullardoch from Tom a' Choinnich.


Tom a' Choinnich from Toll Creagach.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Loch Etchachan


Loch Etchachan.

A camping trip to Loch Etchachan in the Cairngorms National Park last weekend let us enjoy some fantastic walking, although the camp site did have a few midges and flies to contend with. These photos were taken by a couple of 'friends' with whom I enjoyed a great weekend! Thanks to Magaret and Ellen for catching me at my worst!

OK, my tent isn't the most attractive to look at, but to me it has been home on many an adventure! If you're looking for a cheap holiday in the Cairngorms and can't afford a cosy self catering cottage, then try camping at 3000 feet!


Midges at Loch Etchachan.


Summit Ben Macdui.