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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!
Sunshine, Scenery and a Mystery. Well, its arrived - Summer has hit Scotland and we had three predicted days of great weather. Back up the A9 again as far as Dalwhinnie. Can I just say at this point a big thank you to whoever is responsible for those wonderful public toilets in the village - a walker's haven! I drove through Dalwhinnie, past the Distillery for 2 miles. Just after the Halfway House is a small bridge and a tiny car park on your left.
The first part of the walk is through light woodland and across 2 fords. There is no way of avoiding crossing water on this track. You come to this secured gate - easier to climb than unwind the wire.
After a short climb you come to open heather moorland and some magnificent scenery.
The track here is good and easy and it looked like it was going to be a simple hike - wrong! You catch sight of Loch Glas-Choire on your right and the path splits.
Now, logic and the map says take the left path, but after a short while it simply vanishes. I found myself in classic Scottish Bogland. A tip: if you ever wander into Bogland - dont panic - stop at once - if you have walking poles, dig them in hard - do not try to go on, hoping it will get better - it wont! Look behind you for a tuft of grass, rock, or sphagnum moss - they will give you something firm to stand on - place one of your poles behind you and try to step back into your previous footprint - repeat this process until you are clear - look for heather and higher ground - bogs dont like hills and heather has strong firm roots.
It was head down and struggle on, very hard work, working my way to higher ground and up the slopes of Creag na Doire Duibhe where the going was much firmer and I had some great views as Loch Caoldaire came into sight.
I was pleased to see some decidious woodland around. I crossed a lot of dried stream beds and I would be concerned about doing this trip in the wet season. Now, I get annoyed with Cairns. I can never understand why people construct these unsightly things, but today, I was very glad of them because the track is very hard to keep to, and the several Cairns on the way kept me right. (If I ever get an Indian Name it will be "He Who Loses The Trail").
It was at this point that my Mystery started. I came upon a series of tracks that I dont recognise. They are the size of a man's fist, and the same depth. The ground here is firm (my boots did not make an indentation). It has three short stubby toes, and the stride length is the same as mine. Whatever made it was heading to the Loch. And from my limited tracking skills, it had not been there long. Whatever made them is heavy, very heavy. Can any of my readers shine some light?
I dropped down to the Lochside and made my way along the Southern shore, through a deer gate, and set up camp near a hidden fishing hut. The sun was blazing down and I settled down for a nice relaxing read followed by a snooze. Lunch was beans with sausages and a cheese Ciabatta to sook up the sauce, a tub of fruit salad and a mug of tea to wash it all down. I really didnt want to leave this peaceful paradise, but time was moving on and I made my way back. I backtracked the trail this time and it led me to Loch Glas -Choire and then back to the main trail - so I would recommend this route. The ground is strewn with these rocks which I have not seen before. Can any of my readers enlighten me please?
I also found some lovely flowers along the way
The walk is wonderful but deceiving, make sure you have good boots, compass and map, and I definitely recommend a pair of walking poles.
As usual, I would love your interaction! Please leave a story or message below! BackCommentsAdd Comment Looking For Fishing? Just type the location in the box below:
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