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!

Children's Loch
Posted by Graham Lumsden (highlandp) on Dec 27 2008 at 9:32 PM
Highland Travelogue >>

I admit it - I was needing a hike - I had the classic symptoms - restlessness, fidgety, grumpy.
On Friday evening, I made my way up the A9 again.
I turned off at Dunkeld and took the Blairgowrie Road at the far end of the Town (City?)
Up past the golf course and various Lochs until I came to Butterstone village.
I turned up left at the sign for the Log Cabins and Butterstone Private School
I carried on until I came to a fork - if you take the right fork, you come to Reichip and the path to Benachally (see previous Trip Report)
I took the left fork on a good metalled road - suitable for disabled access - marked "Reimore Lodge"
I parked off-road on a heathery verge on the left and began the short walk.
I apologise for the lack of approach photos, but the light was very poor at this time.
You first pass the Dubh (pronounced Doov) Loch on your right.

The intruigingly named Children's Loch is on your right just in front of a conifer plantation.

There are wonderful views of Deuchary Hill from an unusual Easterly direction.

The approaches to the Loch itself are very boggy and great care must be taken.
There is a Boathouse on the far shore and it is accessed by a rough path, a stile and a gate.

I set up camp beyond the Boathouse and got to work.

I was working frantically in the fast-changing light.
I eventually got the fire going and started to prepare a supper of Potatoes, Chicken and Mushrooms in a stew.
After supper, I relaxed and listened as the birds began to roost as the sun set behind Deuchary.
It was paradise to watch and listen as the trout rose to surface feed.

The midges kept away as long as I kept within the fire smoke, but as soon as you stray, they eat you alive!
I stayed for an hour or so, and I broke camp as dusk fell, making my short way back to the car.

Does anyone (Joe?) know the reason for the Loch's intruiging name?


Footnote:  Driving home, I turned on the radio to hear that Russia had invaded Georgia, The Olympics had opened in Bejing, and a child had been knifed somewhere in England.
Although I had heard earlier bulletins, it was like entering another planet from the one I had just left.

Comments

Looking For Fishing? Just type the location in the box below: