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 Farleyer
Posted by Graham Lumsden (highlandp) on Aug 04 2008 at 4:27 PM
Highland Travelogue >>

Paradise - nothing less.
I found Farleyer on the map, just a few miles North West of Aberfeldy.
Farleyer is a medium sized Loch in a stunning setting.
It was back up the A9 yet again on a beautifully warm spring morning.
Turn off at Ballinluig and head for Aberfeldy.
Drive through Aberfeldy and turn right over the old bridge, then left for around two miles.
Go past the entrance for Menzies Castle until you se a sign for Camserney on your right.
It was a very steep road and I took the car as far as I could on very dodgy track.
This saved me from a monster climb.
I parked up on a grass verge, with Loch Tay in the distance.

Through the obligatory gate and up the good track for about an hour.

Some lovely scenery up here, with Schiehallion just visible in places.

I came to a fork in the path - so it was out with the compass -take the right fork!

Soon I could see one or two wooded copses which I have learned to associate with Lochs!
I also met some of the natives!

The Loch soon comes into view on the left.
An easy grass track leads down to the Bothy and water edge.

Unusually, there is no Boat House, just a handy little Bothy, door unlocked, and ready for use if the weather turns!

I found a ready supply of firewood so I decided to light a fire using Flint and Steel instead of using the Trangia.
I soon had a good fire going and started cooking.

The weather was great and Farleyer is just stunning in the sunlight - perfect peace.





Once I had finished lunch, I put my Billy Can into the Loch to "steep" it ready for cleaning later.
When I went to retrieve it later, I got a BIG surprise -  a very young Trout!
Its friends scattered in all directions!
So, I have discovered a whole new way of fishing!

I packed up, put the fire out, and began my walk out by the same path.

Loch Farleyer is a wonderful place in a magnificent setting, with "wraparound" mountains on three sides.
I quickly decided that it had everything for an overnight camp which I have in mind soon - watch this space!

Please leave me your thoughts!

Comments

Looking For Fishing? Just type the location in the box below: