Sunday 26 July 2015

A Week by Loch Tay

Here are a few more photographs of our week in the Loch Tay area;

We stayed at the Clachan Caravan Site near Killin, using this as a base for hill walking and touring - posts for the four day walks can be found here:

Beinn Ghlas and Ben Lawers

Meall Corranaich and Meall a'Choire Leith

Meall Buidhe

Beinn Tulaichean and Cruach Ardrain

18/07/2015

Rafe - walk near the campsite on the lower slopes of Meall Liath (NN593354 approx)

The Old Mill, Killin

The Falls of Dochart, Killin

The Falls of Dochart, Killin

The Falls of Dochart, Killin with Meall nan Tarmachan beyond

20/07/2015

Fortingall Yew

22/07/2015

Happy Rafe

Killin from the lower slopes of Meall Liath (NN585358)

23/07/2015

Rafe at Dunadd Fort, Kilmartin

Kilmartin Glen from Dunadd Fort

Rafe - Dunadd Fort, Kilmartin

One of the cairns in Kilmartin Glen

Kilmartin village

25/07/2015

Glen Lyon

Rafe in Glen Lyon

Loch Lyon from the dam

Glen Lyon from Loch Lyon dam

Highland cattle in Glen Lyon

Friday 24 July 2015

Beinn Tulaichean and Cruach Ardrain

Jim and Freddie - setting off from Inverlochlarig

Another slightly iffy weather forecast - but we set off from Inverlochlarig, at the very western end of the Balquhidder road in sunshine and the tops were clear - fingers crossed.

Our two Munro's of the day were out of sight, just around the corner, above Inverlochlarig Glen. Once past the farm, we followed the track into the glen and our first objective was ahead - Beinn Tulaichean.

On the Inverlochlarig Glen track before taking to the hill - views east 

We spied a likely route up the hill on the western side of the Glen, through the somewhat boggy peat amongst the tussocks and we headed west and up, across the pathless hillside.

Jim - at the start of the ascent of Beinn Tulaichean

It wasn't long before the ascent stiffened and with the undergrowth at it's summer height, the going was pretty hard work.

Pathless ascent of Beinn Tulaichean - Creag na h-Innse

The forecasters were correct again - heavy showers - It was a waterproof on waterproof off day.

Jim - ascent of Beinn Tulaichean - Creag na h-Innse

But the views were great...

Bealach above Inverlochlarig Glen

Stob Binnein from ascent of Beinn Tulaichean

Views east over Loch Doine and Loch Voil from ascent of Beinn Tulaichean

We were soon high, and the ascent eased off somewhat, before we topped out onto Beinn Tulaichean ridge, a couple of hundred meters south of the summit.

Rafe - views over Inverlochlarig Glen from ascent of Beinn Tulaichean

We sauntered along the wide ridge, taking in the new views.

Freddie, Jim and Rafe - Beinn Tulaichean summit ridge with views to Ben More and Stob Binnein

We tucked in amongst some handy rocks, between showers. A lovely spot for lunch - with views back down our ascent route - we spend a happy half hour scranning sarnies and spotting summits.

Rafe - Near the summit of Beinn Tulaichean - a good place for lunch

Jim and Rafe - near the summit of Beinn Tulaichean

Views south east from near Beinn Tulaichean summit

It was in bright sunshine and with crisp views, that we ambled the short distance along a clear path to the summit - Beinn Tulaichean (Munro 220, 946m).

Freddie and Jim - near Beinn Tulaicheas summit

Jim and Freddie - Beinn Tulaichaen summit (Munro 220, 946m)

Jim and Freddie - descent from Beinn Tulaichean
with views to Cruach Ardrain

Before we continued on, along the ridge - Cruach Ardrain looming ahead.

Looking back to Beinn Tulaichean from the start of the ascent of Cruach Ardrain

Jim and Freddie - ascent of Cruach Ardrain

Rafe and Jim - ascent of Cruach Ardrain

It was an easy stroll across the bealach and onwards to the second Munro, but the cloud rolled in again and we got another wetting as we ascended.

Looking back to Beinn Tulaichean from Cruach Ardrain summit ridge

Rafe, Jim and Freddie - nearing Cruach Ardrain summit

Once again, it didn't last long - it was brighter again as we undulated towards the summit...

Rafe, Jim and Freddie - near Cruach Ardrain summit

Cruach Ardrain summit (Munro 87, 1046m) - views north west

And it was bright by the time we reached the summit cairn - Cruach Ardrain (Munro 87, 1046m) - just in time for the photo fest!

Returning south along Cruach Ardrain ridge - views to Beinn Tulaichean

We were soon heading back, along the way we had come, south to the bealach between Cruach Ardrain and Beinn Tulaichean - the light had changed and the views were new again.

Descent from bealach between Cruach Ardrain and Beinn Tulaichean
into Inverlochlarig Glen

Once in the bealach, we took a left turn, heading down into Inverlochlarig Glen - back on pathless ground. It was raining again!

Ben More and Stob Binnein from descent into Inverlochlarig Glen

But rain and sunshine means rainbows. Stunning... As were the many waterfalls to be seen around the glen.

Waterfalls below Cruach Ardrain

It was a touch boggy, and the grass what somewhat slippery - care was needed on the steepest bits! We only floundered a couple of times.

Freddie and Jim - descent into Inverlochlarig Glen

Inverlochlarig Glen

Inverlochlarig Glen - views north

There was an excellent track in the bottom of the glen - we continued south - until we found a likely spot for a second lunch and a chance for a breather - and the sun was out again. We steamed gently.

Cruach Ardrain from Inverlochlarig Glen

It wasn't far back to Inverlochlarig, a gentle ramble...

Descent to Inverlochlarig

Another wonderful Hill Day - in an area we're not really familiar with. It gave us some good oversight into the hills around - there's still plenty more for us to do...

Rafe - at the information shed in Inverlochlarig

Route:  Car parking area at the end of the  Loch Voil road (NN445185), W along track to Inverlochlarig House, fp S then W round house, cross fb and follow signs through farm, N along track into Inverlochlarig Glen, at approx NN434187 head NW over pathless terrain up steep slopes to Beinn Tulaichean (Munro 220, 946m), NW to bealach 825m, NW to Cruach Ardrain (Munro 87, 1046m), return SE to bealach, E into Coire Dubh on indistinct and intermittent path to track in Inverlochlarig Glen, return to Inverlochlarig House and to the start.

Statistics:  Distance: 12.5km  Ascent: 1020m  Time: 6 hours

Maps:  OS Explorer 364 - Loch Lomond North and OS Explorer 365 - The Trossachs


Beinn Bhrotain and Monadh Mor

Setting off from Glen Feshie - it was chilly - before the sun had a chance to peep over the hills...  Off we go! Jim - Setting off near Auch...