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!

Drumore Loch
Posted by Graham Lumsden (highlandp) on Oct 16 2008 at 6:24 PM
Highland Travelogue >>

Who would be a photographer in Scotland?

Its been a dreadful summer - one Atlantic Low after another for weeks now.

There was a slight promise of a brief High Pressure this week - I cast envious eyes outdoors yesterday, and decided to have a day off work today. I have decided to get away from the A9 and start exploring Glenshee for a change.

I set off up the road to Blairgowrie, past the Beech Hedges at Meiklour (tallest Beech Hedges in the world!). I turned left onto the Braemar Road, the A93 and headed North.

Around 6 miles North of Blair, I turned right towards Blacklunans.

The road narrows after the old stone bridge and climbs steadily.

The Loch is roadside on your right.

I parked up nearby and wandered back down the road until I found the access gate.

You cross a Dam on the West shore.

Drumore is a medium-sized fishing Loch, with copious amounts of breeding Pheasant around its shores.

There are signs warning you to keep away, no camping, fishing, etc.

Sorry guys - but you need to read the Land Reform Act.

You must cross two small wooden bridges

I set up my usual camp on the far shore and took some photos for you.

Sorry all - the famous Scottish Cloud made for grey light!

There is an ornate Boat House on the North Shore

As I set up camp, I had a visit from a very curious Pheasant

I threw a tarp on the ground to keep the damp at bay, and stretched another between a couple of trees.

The light was very, very poor, by I tried to take some half decent photos for you.

There was a frost last night (its Scotland!), and there were NO midges!

Very few flies on the Loch either

After a lunch of macaroni cheese cooked on the Trangia, I made my way back to the car

and back down the A93 to Perth

It was a very easy trip today, more of a drive than a walk, but in spite of the weather and the not-so-welcoming signs, I had a peacful afternoon amongst the hills and woods of Glenshee.

I hope you enjoyed my trip, and PLEASE leave me a comment - good or bad!

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