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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. I dont know how long they will be there for us, but I have to record them as they are now. 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!
A warm, sunny day in Perth, but ominous black cloud to the West as I headed for Glen Quaich once more. Right at Gilmerton and through the Sma' Glen, left at Amulree. Once more, the shepherd, or rather his two dogs, was moving his sheep to a new pasture and I, along with ilka others watched spellbound as these incredible dogs worked tirelessly and without instruction of any kind to move the flock. All the shepherd had to do was trundle along behind in his tiny tractor. Fantastic experience to behold.
I eventually drove the length of Loch Freuchie and parked at the North West end.
I made my way along the path past the Loch end and through the farm steading.
You need to bear left here otherwise the Rob Roy Way will take you back to Amulree
The track climbs steeply and you soon reach the heather level. The heather has turned, and I had a glorious pathway to follow
Some beautiful flowers up here and some gorgeous views too
You head up towards these two shooting bothy's. The Grouse season starts next week and these hills will echo to the sound of "Slaughterin' Guns"*
I disturbed several groups of these fine birds enjoying their last few days on earth. The good track will take you all the way across to The Griffen, but I wanted to find the elusive and reclusive Loch Fender set in a deep corrie North East of Creag an Loch. This means that I had to leave the track at this point and climb through heather and bog to the summit at 2004 feet.
I found Wild Blaeberries growing on the summit
At this point, the weather changed dramatically and within just a few minutes, a rain squall swept down the Glen and I was soaked These two photos were taken just minutes apart
Over the crest and Loch Fender appears. This is one of the hardest Lochs to reach that I have attempted. It has no approach paths of any kind and is well hidden in its deep corrie
Although rain-sodden, I sat and enjoyed lunch and experienced that unique solitude that I only ever find at my Lochs The silence was complete, apart from the gentle drumming pattern of rain - I actually fell asleep to the rhythm. I then made my (very careful) way back down to the track. Great care must be taken to avoid a twisted ankle. Also, there are many peat "islands" up here, surrounded by sucking bog, and careful navigation is needed. The way back is the exact opposite of the ingress, or you could return by the Griffen path if you can arrange a pick-up at that end The News From Rannoch - this is where I get political and I will apologise to no-one for it, such is its importance, but I do have to be careful what I say, so some phrases have been toned down from what I really think. The recently announced multi-billion pound leisure development at Rannoch is totally unacceptable. It matters not how much money is thrown at us, or how many jobs are created (yes, I know its not me without a job), you cannot simply buy up this country. There is only one Wilderness, and once its gone, it is gone forever. I know this development will not be the end of The Wilderness, but it will be the beginning of the end, as foreign investors are never stopped by planners - witness the the Pitmedden affair, the treament of Martin Ford, and the fight for the scraps at Trump's table. Do we really want tartan-clad servants toadying to the whims of foreign billionaires? It would be a step nearer to fulfilling the image of the "shortbread tin" land. I will fight with my last breath to stop this and I urge anyone who loves this land to do likewise End of sermon. I hope you enjoyed my trip and that you will leave me a comment - good or bad! * Now Westlin' Winds by Robert Burns, arrangement by Dick Gaughan. " Now westlin winds and slaughtering guns The partridge loves the fruitful fells Thus every kind their pleasure find But Peggy dear the evening's clear We'll gently walk and sweetly talk
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