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 Meallbrodden
Posted by Graham Lumsden (highlandp) on Jan 24 2009 at 8:23 AM
Highland Travelogue >>

I'm back! Its been a while, but today promised the first good light in many weeks.

A special hello to my regular visitor from Leicester!

This little 'logue is getting very popular - I get visits from many a far off place - from Warsaw to India to Australia and Canada - welcome to you all!

There is a Loch to the North East of Crieff. I set off West on the road to Crieff for about 10 miles and turned right for the village of Fowlis Wester.

I passed the famous Celtic Stone in the village square and went on up through this lovely little village.

At the top of the hill there is a gate on your left. I parked inside and set off along the good 4 x 4 track.

Some lovely views up there.

The track then drops down towards a conifer wood. You come to a fork in the path. I took the right fork - the path is a loop around the Loch so it doesnt matter which one you choose.

The path takes you round the East side of the Loch and up to an abandoned cottage where you turn left through a gate and along the North side of the Loch.

The walk in is short, only around 20 minutes and easy on the legs.

The light was fantastic today - the low sun never got high in the sky and the warm light cast long shadows in the late Autumn day - wonderful!

I walked to the far end and set up camp at the waters edge, near to the Dam. Meallbrodden is a typical fishing loch with a Boathouse on the SouthWestern shore.

For you Fisherfolk - here is the phone number to book!

I had a brew up and lay in the warm sun and soaked up the wonderful light and sounds for a while. There were a few people around but nobody troubled me.

I decided to take the loop route out and I crossed over the Dam and up through the steep path through the woods and rejoined the track at the "Y" junction and back to the car. A great day!  As usual - I'd love to hear from you!

Comments

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