Meall Garbh and Beinn nan Lus Glen Kinglass

Allt Dhoireann from Beinn nan Lus.

A tiring walk from Stronmilchan, Glen Strae, not far from Kilchurn Castle, to climb the Grahams of Meall Garbh and Beinn nan Lus. The walk up Glen Strae is very pleasant, with lots of wildlife appearing and disappearing especially the almost domesticated Mallard Ducks. The rise up to Meall Beithe is gradual, although the path marked on map is questionable at the least. The ridge stretches South West along to the munro of Beinn Eunaich, whilst we were heading North East to the first target of the day, Meall Garbh. After dropping down steeply we ascended Beinn nan Lus, enjoying lovely views of Glen Kinglass. On coming down the hill I could only stare at the 2000 feet that we still had to climb up the Lairig Dhoireann alongside the fast flowing Allt Dhoireann.

A sketchy path in places made for a slow trudge up this last climb of the day, leaving a mucky return to the road down Glen Strae!

Let's just say we'll call this one memorable!


River Kinglass from Meall Garbh.

A lovely view down the Glen!


Meall Garbh, Glen Kinglass.

When descending Meall Garbh, try and avoid the V forming the meeting of the burns as it is fairly steep!


River Kinglass.

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Maps from Bing Maps.

Mar 20 2009 - View from Beinn a' Chearcaill

Mar 20 2009 - View from Beinn a' Chearcaill.

I'd certainly settle for every day in March being like Mar 20 2009! Some of my favourite mountains in a view from Beinn a' Chearcaill in Torridon in the North West Highlands of Scotland! It really was tee shirt weather and a real bonus when you're expecting the normal March mixture of four seasons in one day!

We were so pleased we went past Torridon to climb the Graham of An Ruadh-mheallan, next to Ben Alligin later in the day!

A marvellous March day out in one of the best areas in Scotland! Sleep came easy that night in the Torridon Youth Hostel after a few drams in good company!

Bog Myrtle

Bog myrtle.

A natural remedy for detering the infamous midge in Scotland, Bog Myrtle is now being commercially harvested! I watched with amazement how one inventor, with a heath robinson machine obtained half a beaker of juice from a ton of Bog Myrtle.

The plant is plentiful in the Scottish Highlands and I always make a point of rubbing the leaves on bare arms or neck and face. I love the smell, something like Eucalyptus. I can't believe that they are now actually planting Bog Myrtle - there are thousands of acres of it already!

Silva Expedition 4 Compass

Silva Expedition 4 Compass.

The Silva Expedition 4 Compass is the preferred compass for use by the Mountain Leader Training Board and Glenmore Lodge. It is also recommended for Duke of Edinburgh Expeditions and is my preferred compass.

Currently it is a bestseller on Amazon at a price of £17.20. Normal shop price is around £25, and the best I've been able to haggle shops down to is £20.

If you're walking in the hills, this is the compass you should have.

Summit Ben Nevis in May

Summit Ben Nevis in May.

Family trip up Ben Nevis one May resulted in four seasons in one day! My Brother in Law and Nephew enjoyed their first trip up the biggest mountain in Scotland. We descended by one of the tops on Ben Nevis, Carn Dearg, and were rewarded with a stunning rainbow and a view to Steall waterfall. It was like a different day on the top rather than the summit!


James and Scott summit Ben Nevis.


Vivid rainbow on Ben Nevis.


Steall Waterfall from Carn Dearg, Ben Nevis.

St Andrews Fife Scotland

St Andrews Cathedral.

I love walking round St Andrews, one of the iconic places in Fife, Scotland. The Cathedral still offers space for reflection in spite of the number of visitors received there!


St Andrews Beach.

No one braving the waters on St Andrews beach today the 2nd February 2010! Indeed, with snow on the distant hills, and an icy wind, there were few people on the beach itself.

Not many golfers on the Old Course, possibly for the same reason!


The Old Course, St Andrews.


The Barns at Kingsbarns.

Pleasant lunch enjoyed at the Barns Pub in Kingsbarns after visiting the fabulous self catering resort at Morton of Pitmilly.

Alpine plants in Scotland

Alpine plants in Scotland, Devils Matchsticks.

One of the great pleasures I get from walking in Scotland is finding the variety of wild plants that inhabit our mountains. It never ceases to amaze me the number of plants that we walk by, on our journeys in Scotlands hills. For a few years now, I've taken a closer interest during walks and it adds a completely different dimension to my walks. Being able to pass this knowledge to others also brings its own rewards.

The best guide that I've found, which covers far more than flora, is a fantastic book, Hostile Habitats. As well as flora and fauna, it covers geology and glacial features making it an invaluable aid.





Alpine plants in Scotland, Fir Clubmoss.


Alpine Clubmoss.


Reindeer Moss.


These plants pictured in Cairngorms National Park.