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

Like a large Highland Loch on your wall?  - click here!

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

Back To The Griffin - glorious failure
Posted by Graham Lumsden (highlandp) on Oct 12 2008 at 8:01 PM
Highland Travelogue >>

I must be mad.
Those of you that have read of my earlier visit to this huge forest plantation between Dunkeld and Aberfeldy will be aware of the awful time I had last time, when I left the track and became stranded in this impenetrable conifer forest.
The Griffin must be my least liked hike, because there is nothing but mile after mile of  monotonous tree wall on either side, with virtually no landmarks, and almost no wildlife except a few tantalising deer tracks and the odd bird or two.
However - there are four sizeable Lochs in there - and I must access them!
It was back up the A9 and turn left just after Dunkeld, onto the Crieff Road.
Bear right before Amulree and up the back road to Aberfeldy.
Just before Aberfeldy, you come to Loch Na Creige on the left.

~Opposite is a small car park signposted for Griffin Forest.
Access to the forest is over a high stile



There was a dusting of snow on the day and a searing Northerly wind that kept wind chill well below zero.
The track is good and climbs steadily upwards and to the left.




Navigation (~at least for me!) in a forest is difficult.
I took a slip to the right, but this was a mistake, and I had to retrace my steps back to the main track.
Something happened - I began to doubt my map - absolute madness - but I was so paranoid after the last escapade that I would not trust map or compass.
The one thing I was certain of was that I would never again leave the track.
A track led off to the right, sharply uphill, and I climbed it with the help of my camera monopod which I use as a pole.
The views from the top were stunning, but I was blasted by the Arctic winds on the top.







From the top, I could clearly see my target - Kinnaird Loch - over to the North East, perhaps two miles away.
So it was back down the slope and on up the track.



The track branches right and uphill and meanders long and hard for quite some distance.
It was well after lunchtime and I took a break and set up my Trangia (I recently ditched my liquid gas stove - actually I drop-kicked it as far as I could - useless piece of kit!)
The Trangia does its job fine and with an added cup of tea, I was soon ready to find my Loch.



This is where my story falls apart.
Last night,a nice neighbour kept me awake for two hours banging on his door untill 3.00 a.m.
This lack of sleep now took its toll on me.
I am ashamed to say that I ran out of energy.
Even a sugary cup of tea and a Mars Bar did not fill my tank.
The snow clouds were becoming ominous, and I took the safe decision to hike out.
So - Although I saw Kinnaird Loch, I did not reach or photograph it.
All in all a very frustrating day.
By the time I reached the car I was exhausted and drove home in a dark mood.
Never mind - I will be back another day!
Keep watching this space!

ADDENDUM:  Now that I have re-examined the map at home, I have discovered that the signposting in the Griffin is misleading - at the "Y" junction of the track, the signs advise a right turn to approach the Loch, and a left turn to walk to Aberfeldy - this is wrong - you must use the left track to approach the Loch!

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