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 Benachally
Posted by Graham Lumsden (highlandp) on Feb 02 2010 at 11:18 PM
Highland Travelogue >>

Its been around six weeks since my last expedition.
Just back from Africa, I've been more used to desert weather rather than cold Scottish Autumn.
To break myself in gently, I decided to find nearby Loch Benachally, North East of Dunkeld.
Because of the short days at this time of year, it was an early start up the A9 to Dunkeld.
Turning off to Butterstone, I started up the blacktop to the hamlet of Riechip, where I parked up.
Through a wooden gate and on up the steep hill, past Reimore Lodge.
Although Autumn is almost turning to Winter, there are still some stunning coppers, reds and browns to be seen amongst the trees.





The road soon levels out to stunning views over the distant Grampians, with the first signs of high top snow.
The Loch then comes into view on the left.





Running roughly West to East, its a standard sized Loch, with a small Dam and weir at the East end.



The only other man-made feature is the obligatory Boat House at the East End.



The biting wind made lunch in the lee behind the Boat Shed a must!



The Highland weather at this time of year is incredibly changeable, it can, and did, change from bright sunshine to rain squall in less than ten minutes.



After a lesuirely lunch in this beautiful location, it was back to the car, perhaps two miles, whilst there was still daylight left.
The stunning scenery of Perthshire made for a memorable day out.






I hope you enjoyed my little travelogue - please let me know if you did - or if you didnt!
If there is a Highland Loch or Lochan you would like me to visit and write a travelogue, please leave a message below!

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