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
If you have any questions about the places I visit, please e-mail me and I will do my best to help!
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Loch Derculich |
| Posted by Graham Lumsden (highlandp) on Aug 04 2008 at 4:06 PM |
Derculich is a sizeable Loch to the North East of Aberfeldy.
You need to drive up the A9 and turn off at Ballinluig.
Drive untill you come to Grandtully, and cross over the bridge on your right (over the canoe slalom course)
Turn left past the shop and drive untill you come to Derculich House on your right.
Take the next road on your right, uphill.
Go past the farm on your left.
I parked here, but the narrow road meanders on upwards a way if you want to reduce your hike.
Now, this is where I enlisted a local, to check that I was, indeed, on the right path.
I knocked on a cottage door, and a strange man attired in a bathrobe answered the door.
Having asked the question he said "Aye, but dinnae gae near the fairmer!"
I told him I was merely a photographer, and he replied "Disnae matter, dinnae gae near the fairmer, he's a funny lad!"
I left him with images in my head of that scene from An American Werewolf In London.
Never mind.
I passed through several sheep pastures, taking care to avoid the ewes with newborns.
It is a steep climb all the way untill you get past the tree line, and soon the heather line is reached and the landscape changes into serene beauty.
The path is a little diferent from that which I am used to, but lovely countryside all the same.
There is a collection of small Lochans to the East, and these are the first to come into view.
Derculich soon comes into view on the left, nestling beneath the magnificent Farragon Hill.
Why it is called a hill I dont undertsand - it is clearly a mountain!
I set up camp high above the Loch and had tea and lunch.
I took along my new Canon 400D digital to test it, and I liked the results, although it will take some getting used to. In future I will stick to my trusty 300D, in which I have great faith. The 400D will be kept for weddings.
After lunch I walked down to the water side and took some more pics using the N.D. x 8 filter to give extra long exposure shots to freeze the ripples.
Soon it was time to retrace my steps and I made my happy way back to the car by the reverse route.
Loch Derculich is delightful - very beautifully set below Farragon and is one of the prettiest locations I have found.
I strongly recommend a visit - but watch out for the farmer!
Fauna Seen this trip: Red Grouse, Skylark, Red Squirell.
Please let me know your thoughts!
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