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 Mullion
Posted by Graham Lumsden (highlandp) on Dec 27 2008 at 3:19 PM
Highland Travelogue >>

I had been looking forward to my first venture of the year all week.
The weather has been very Scottish - rain, rain, some rain, and sometimes a little rain, with occasional snow flurries in Perth.
I splashed out and bought myself an Ordnance Survey Map and I found a few hidden gems that dont appear on my larger map.
One in particular caught my eye - Loch Mullion, near Little Glenshee, in Glenalmond.
My parents had sometimes taken me to this local beauty spot many years ago.
Its highlight is a little ford over a running burn -  a wonder when you are a child!
After breakast with Matthew, my grandson, I set off around 10.00 a.m.
Back up the A9 for a mile, and then left heading for Redgorton, and right for Logiealmond.
At this point driving became treacherous, with ice, snow and black ice around.
Traction was bad, and 2nd gear was used most of the way.
Aroung 4 miles along the Logiealmond Road, Little Glenshee is signposted off to the right, and the driving is much more difficult here.
Parking places are few, and I stopped at the parking place near the Ford.
I kitted myself out in full winter gear and took a bearing for the hidden Loch - 240 degrees, 60 reciprocal, and set off.
This was my first walk in snow, and I learned a lot in a short time.
Sheep pasture is fine - you walk atop the snow crust easily at a steady pace, but heather moor is the opposite - the snow is soft between the heather clumps and is like walking in sand - very tiring.

On up the slope, the scenery opened up - wonderfull snow caps to the North, and mist shrouded valleys to the South and South East.


After an hour of crunching through the white stuff, there was still no Loch in sight.
Something wasnt right, and I had to find a landmark, stop and take another bearing.
I found a farm steading and had a cup of tea and a Mars Bar.
I re-checked my bearings and there was sheep pasture where the Loch should be.
The map was wrong!
I began plan B - I looked for geographic/botanic hunting, which has found Lochs for me in the past.
First, I found a burn heading downhill -  a dead giveaway if there is a Loch in the area, and then I found some Gorse - had to be near a sizeable source of water - and sure enough, here was the Loch.
Sometimes, when I am struggling over obstacles, fences, dykes and burns, I wonder what the hell I am doing out there, but then, the water comes into view, usually just a glimmer over a hill, and it all becomes worthwhile.

Loch Mullion is a small Lochan, boomerang shaped, running North to South West.
It has several wooden hides around it. These are for studying the rare Pink Footed Goose that roosts there.
The Loch is completely frozen over, and I'm pretty sure it could be safely walked on, although I didnt try it.

Its set in a gully, with very steep sides protected by thick, sharp gorse.
The light was wonderful - a brief weather High Pressure bringing a wonderful low sun in a cold blue sky.
I made a little perch on the slope and had lunch.
Overhead was a constant stream of jets on their way out over the Atlantic.

It was time to do what I came here for - take my photographs.
It was tricky as my shadow was long and hard.
I discovered that I was sweating hard - it was so warm - I had taken off much of my winter gear to compensate, but I discovered  that I was heavily sunburnt.

Daylight is short just now, so it was time to head back.
It was clear that the Loch is actually some 500 yards further North than is marked on the map, so I adjusted my reciprocal and set off.
All was well until I crossed  a burn.
My leg went down a deep hole and I took cramp all at the same time - agony!
The rest of the journey was uneventful, just taking in the fantastic scenery and sunshine.
All in all, a wonderful day out, with a visit to see Dick Gaughan in concert at night - what more could anyone want in life?

See you next time!

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