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 Monnaghan
Posted by Graham Lumsden (highlandp) on Jul 29 2010 at 6:54 PM
Highland Travelogue >>

Anyone who reads my humble stories will know by now that I love Rannoch. I am drawn there by its uniqueness and beautiful desolation - yet it is only 20 miles or so from Pitlochry. My visits there have mostly been to the North shore. This time I crossed the bridge in the beautiful sleepy village of Kinloch Rannoch and headed off along the narrow road that follows the South bank of Loch Rannoch. I found myself in a different world again. The Southern shore is completely different from the North. The South shore reminds me of Loch Earn, with heavy woods right down to the waters edge. The road is such that I spent most of my driving time in third gear. I passed the controversial Dall Estate and turned into the drive of Camgournan Farm, where I was kindly allowed to park (O/S NN549564). I made my way up the track, passing some lovely waterfalls on the way.

The rough path climbs slowly and easily until you enter the famous Black Wood of Rannoch.

The going through the mostly deciduous woods - unusually not coniferous - is hard - I crossed many muddy fords until the path eventually meets the old track to Glen Lyon.

Here I turned North again and downhill until I came to a stone bridge.

The first of the twin Lochs soon comes into view on the left - Monnaghan. Loch Monnaghan is bordered on its East shore by an earth dam and is approached by climbing a metal gate.

Loch Finnart can just be seen in the background.

As is usual, I spread a groundsheet and had lunch. I was pleased to see that the heather is beginning to turn. I also found more beautiful wild flowers here than at any other Loch I have visited.

One of my favourites - Bog Cotton.

Walking along the dam, I found a huge Swan egg.

 It was late afternoon and the wind was freshening - rain was on the way from the West.

Leaving the Loch, I turned left and followed the easy track by the river.

On the way, I passed these wonderful falls.

The track meets the main road at O/S NN548564. From there it was just a few yards back to the car, then back along the narrow winding road to rejoin the A9 and home, leaving wonderful Loch Rannoch behind. In this photo, you can just see Glencoe in the distance.

All in all, a wonderful walk through stunning countryside. I wholly recommend it.

As usual, I would love you to leave your comments.

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