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!

Loch a Choire and Ben Y Vrackie
Posted by Graham Lumsden (highlandp) on Feb 02 2009 at 10:08 PM
Highland Travelogue >>

Target for today was the Loch at the foot of mighty Ben Y Vrackie, which dominates the skyline behind Pitlochry. While not quite a Munro, Vrackie is still an imposing mountain and is popular with casual and seasoned walkers alike. The weather promised a brief high presssure system before reverting to the usual Atlantic Lows, so I managed a day off work and made my way up the familiar A9 to Pitlochry. I turned off the main road and went through Pitlochry town itself, then turned right up the hill to Moulin Village. Opposite the Hotel is the road that takes you to the Car Park. I parked up and noted the signs warning that Vrackie is not to be taken lightly, and that sensible precautions should be taken. I set off up the hill until I came to this fork.

You should take the right fork (I didnt, and added half a mile to my trek!). You cross 2 slippy wooden bridges.

Its a stiff climb all the way.

I got this spectacular view of Pitlochry and the Tay Valley shrouded in fog.

Eventually, you come to this involved gate/ford system, and you move onto the actual path that takes you up to Vrackie itself. 

Its a sair climb all the way and I was glad to take advantage of a wooden bench halfway up. You pass between the saddle of two hills and you emerge into a vast ampitheatre that is wonderously quiet, peaceful and spiritual. A special moment.

The path then drops down to the Loch, where it crosses the Dam at the East end . The Loch was completely frozen over. This is where the real climb begins, with the help of a clever pathway of stones that give you something to grip.  The path gets steeper now, and it becomes a scramble to the top.

It was completely cloud covered by the time I reached the summit, so I did not manage any photos for you I'm afraid. It was bitterly cold at the top and I soon made my way back down to the Lochside, where I cooked lunch in the lee of the gathering breeze.

This is marked on the map as a reservoir.

A cup of soup, some fruit and a mug of tea beside the frozen Loch then it was time to get back before the short daylight hours ended. The journey back (its around 2.5 miles each way, plus the summit climb) was easy and I was soon back at the car (I passed a bloke who was running to the summit!!!!).  This is a strenuous hike, and a degree of fitness is required, but, if you choose a sunny day, the views are quite spectacular, and the winter light today was just wonderful.

I came across this wonderful rock. It looks hand carved, but in fact it has been worn into these fantastic shapes by water erosion.

By the time I made my way down, the fog had burned off

I hope you like my photos and enjoyed my latest trip.  If you have any comments or questions, or even requests, just leave me a note below.

Comments

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