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 Broom
Posted by Graham Lumsden (highlandp) on Aug 04 2008 at 4:05 PM
Highland Travelogue >>

Loch Broom is located to the East of Pitlochry, and is on Atholl Estate land.
The map suggests three possible ingress tracks - Via Tulliemet House, Croftinloan, or the Moulin Road.
I chose the former after consulting the Oracle that is my Father-In-Law.
So - a day off work after a hopefull weather forecast suggested a small break in the rain.
It was back up the A9 to Ballinluig, then up through the village to the Hamlet of Tulliemet.
A left turn at the sign for Tulliemet House leads up a narrow winding road best taken slowly.
Past the House is a Steading with a row of cottages where I parked.
Through the gate and the path is the usual 4 x 4 track which serves the fishermen well.



The path climbs gently most of the way, with some nice mountain scenery off to the Northwest - The Cairngorms
 - and the North - The Grampians.


The walk in took me just over an hour and the Loch came into view.


The path then veers strangely to the West through some burnt heather.
Note: The heather is burnt off regulalry to promote new growth which supports Grouse and Pheasant for shooting.


The policy seems to work for I saw several pairs of Black Grouse, as well as a grey Heron, a pair of Buzzards and a Red Squirrel, along with the obligatory fussing Skylarks and Peewits.
Loch Broom is of a standard size and runs East to West, with a weir at the West end.


Unusually, there appear to be two boat houses, one at the West end and one at the East end, as well as another unidentified wooden building at the East end.


I set up base camp behind the West house in the lee of the brisk wind and had a brew.


I then did my photographic duty and contemplated a circumnavigation to explore the East end.




A tentative probe of the South of the Loch revealed Sucking Bog.
I will traverse bog until it starts to Suck - then it's about face for me I'm afraid.
Then I tried the North shore until I came to the burn that flows from the Loch.
The only visible way across was via this bridge! - Not for me!


So I sat myself down on a sandy inlet and got the Trangia out and had lunch.


A short nap and I woke with the clouds gathering ominously, so I packed up and set off for home by the same route in.
I think the North shore would have to be approached via Croftinloan or the Moulin Road - one for another time.
All in all, a nice walk and a pleasant Loch.
I am happy to say that I met nobody for the entire walk in or out!

Oh! by the way! I almost forgot - I caught these cute newborn lambs taking the air.


Fauna Seen This Trip: Heron, Buzzard (pair), Skylark,
Please let me know your thoughts!

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