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

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If you have any questions about the places I visit, please e-mail me and I will do my best to help!

Loch Skiach and Little Loch Skiach
Posted by Graham Lumsden (highlandp) on Aug 04 2008 at 4:28 PM
Highland Travelogue >>

It's time for another trek!
I have become a weather watcher these days - the weather is so changeable at the moment.
I spotted a small High Pressure window and took Friday off work.
My father-in-law had told me of a trail-head to reach Loch Skiach and Little Loch Skiach, to the North West of Dunkeld.
So, it was up the A9 again, and turn left onto the old road to Aberfeldy.
Around 5 miles later, I turned left and up the a steep hill to the "Fairy Castle" , which is now a private fishing lodge.


Then its through a gate and up the steep path



The track is good 4 x 4 all the way, but always rising. A reasonable degree of fitness is required.
As the track rises, there are some lovely mountain views behind Pitlochry, with fresh snow on the high tops



The track continues to climb for perhaps 4 miles.
I am very happy to say that I never saw a soul! - only two Fallow Deer and a pair of Buzzards overhead were my sole companions for the entire afternoon.



Eventually, the two Lochs come into view, firstly, Little Loch Skiach on the left



Then Loch Skiach, on the right




Loch Skiach is an oddly and distinctively shape feature - the best description I can give is that it resembles a piece of a jigsaw puzzle.  Of average size, there is the usual Boathouse.





Both Lochs are connected by a small burn and a wooden bridge.
Personally, I found Little Loch Skiach the more pleasant of the two and I lay down in the heather and drifted off for a while to the perfect sound of absolute silence!





The walk in took me around 1.5 hours of steady climbing.
The egress was a little less, being mainly downhill



Altogether, a very nice pair of Lochs, but a worrying absence of wildife around.
Loch Skiach can be a little foreboding in overcast light, but it's little brother is a delight at any time.
I can strongly recommend this hike.
Please remember to take warm waterproof clothes.
The weather changed quickly while I was there and dark rain clouds followed me on the way out.
Fauna Seen This Trip:  White Tailed (?) Deer, Heron, Buzzard, Skylark.
Enjoy - and please write your comments below!

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