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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!
Once again the weather flattered to deceive. I set off from Perth in blazing sunshine. I took today off work because the forecast was promising. And so it was all the way up the A9 untill I reached the Drumochter Pass, where I suddenly hit grey cloud. Hey-Ho, never mind. Loch Ericht actually begins in the Highland Region and winds its long narrow way South West into northern Perthshire. Loch Ericht was wearing her Winter Cloak. The trip North is 55 miles through stunning countryside. I hit snow just North of Pitlochry, but the Snow Gates were still open, so I pressed on. I turned off at Dalwhinnie and then left just before the garage, and parked at the railway bridge.
I went under the bridge and through the little gate and the Loch came into view.
Ericht is very long and narrow and stretches for miles. The map showed a path on the North West shore only, so I crossed the dam and went through the gate at the far end
(on reflection, I will travel the South East shore next time), then turned left along a good 4 x 4 track. I had to pass close to this lovely house, but the owner was friendly and gave me a nice smile. The house is lovely, with a little chapel attached with fantastic stain glass windows.
I made my gentle way along the path, then I found a ramp down to the snow covered beach and started lunch. A double layer of tarp kept the cold out and some melted snow was the base for hot soup (snow is also great as a pot scourer!)
Wrapped up warm, I was quite comfortable and I could have stayed a lot longer, but snow flakes started to drift from ominous clouds, so it was back by the reverse route and down the busy A9 to home.
In summary, the light let me down again, and the photos are a little contrasty, and on my next visit, I will walk the South East shore. But a lovely Loch, well worth a visit in the right weather. As always, I would love to hear from you!
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