My Highland Travelogue

Welcome to my Highland Travelogue Page.   My passion is to explore the Scottish Highland Upland Lochs. When time permits, I will drive to a remote location, park the car, fasten on my backpack and trusty camera, and trek a few miles to discover a hidden Loch or Lochan. My pleasure is to explore the smaller, hidden Lochs and Lochans, rather than the larger, well known ones that are already well documented. 

I think that certain places are "healing" , and I begin to understand why when I sit by a lonely stretch of water, with nobody and nothing around for miles. So far, most of my expeditions have been in Highland Perthshire, for logistical and economic reasons, but I hope to travel further as time passes. I think that maybe I am frightened that my Highlands are threatened and that they may vanish. Perhaps to record them on photograph is my mission? When I stumble unexpectedley on one of those jaw-dropping views, I have mixed thoughts - firstly, I want to share it with the world, then, when I think on, I selfishly want to keep it all to myself.  Often I just stand a while in wonderment.

I am no scientist, but many of our small inland Lochs and Lochans are in decline.
Each has its own mini eco system, and it is the decay of this that is the problem.
Each eco system is made up of many interactive and interdependent parts - water,sediment,fish,insects,animals,weather. Eutrophication (chemical and acid pollution) is causing serious problems to our smaller Lochs and Lochans that do not get the same level of monitoring and protection as those larger and better known examples adopted by S.E.P.A.
The decline of insect life affects the fish life, which affects the Lochan itself, which affects the bird and animal life.
This then causes (some) of the Lochans to be affected by Algae and Reed cover, which then affects light penetration, photosynthesis and the general "life" of the Lochan goes into a rapid decline.
This is happening now. Already, some of the large Raptors are coming down to road level to find food.

I dont know how long they will be there for us, but I have to record them as they are now.
I hope I am wrong.

Above all, I feel priviledged to be allowed the honour to walk on this sacred land - I am finite, my footsteps will soon vanish, but this wonderful place will stand for millions of years.

I will try to describe my adventures as best as I can and I hope that I can share my wonderful Highlands with you.

"Enjoy Life's Journey, But Leave No Tracks" (Cherokee Wolf Clan, with thanks to Sue)

"Your travelogue helped to influence our choice of destination as your pictures and details are superb and really do give that `get away from it all feeling`- Martin Rutherford

If you have any questions about the places I visit, please e-mail me and I will do my best to help!

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Auchentaple Loch
Posted by Graham Lumsden (highlandp) on Feb 23 2012 at 10:13 PM
Highland Travels >>

On Sunday, July 22nd, 2007, I drove the car up through Blairgowrie and onto the A93 Braemar Road. A few miles up the road, at the turnoff for Blacklunans, I turned right onto the unclassified road down to the hamlet of Folda.
Just at the right of the road is a little parking area and a sign indicating the pathway to the Loch.  A short, steep uphill climb on a good track leads to some wonderful views.

Once at the top, the track turns West, with a branch leading Northeast to nearby Loch Shandra.
A gentle hike along pleasant moorland leads to a high style over a deer fence, marked with the Cateran Trail Marker.
Soon the lovely Loch comes into view on your left.
A gentle descent by the woodlands leads you to the peaceful Lochside.

Just behind the lodge, if you follow the track away from the Loch a while, you will suddenly come across some amazing mountain scenery.
You can walk all the way around the Loch. Beware of the beehives on the North shore - give them a wide berth!
I stopped on the East shore to open my flask of tea and sandwiches. In perfect peace I watched the Dragonflys skip the water, and heard the occasional splash as a fish broached the mirror surface. Overhead, only a lonely Buzzard circled.  This is peace - the perfect antidote for the madness of the office.
I had the Loch all to myself untill around midday when a few people arrived.
The return route is the exact reverse.

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