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!

Lochan 'a Chait
Posted by Graham Lumsden (highlandp) on Sep 13 2009 at 5:33 PM
Highland Travelogue >>

This one began when I was speaking to an old gamekeeper at a wedding a few weeks back. He told me about how beautiful Lochan 'a Chait is and I made up my mind to make it my next project.  Weather and business put paid to the next few weeks, but today I was determined to find it no matter what the weather. I drove to Dunkeld (The Bankfoot roadworks have finished!) and turned up past Loch 'O The Lowes and Butterstone Loch, then up the hill and took the Reimore Lodge road, parking up at the Childrens Loch.

I took the right fork and went down behind Reimore until I came to this gate, where I took the path on the right up the hill.

Some nice Fungi along this route.

Its a steep climb here, and looking over your shoulder, you get great views of Deuchary Hill and Loch Ordie.

Eventually, Loch Ordie hands over to Loch Benachally on your right. I came to a pile of ruins marked on the map as The Lairds House.

He was very accomodating and I sat down and had a break whilst I plotted my next move.

The path to Chait climbs up directly behind the ruins and takes you through a narrow pass between two hills.

Lochan 'a Chait comes into view over the rise. Its very small, has a lot of reed cover, and is teaming with rising trout.

There is a wooden bothy and a boat house.

I sat down and had lunch, followed by that wonderful short sleep I have become used to having at my quiet lochs.

Perfect peace here, apart from the Phantom Fisherman (another story!). 

The only sounds were occasional grasshoppers and the reeds sighing in the breeze - perfect. Time was getting on and I decided to continue the path's circuitious route back to Reimore via Loch Ordie instead of retracing my steps. Some lovely flaura around here.

The path drops down towards a fast-flowing burn and heads South through a very narrow glen.

On meeting the burn, I had my first problem - the bridge was down.

At this point you have a straight choice - wet feet or try the Soldiers Leap! I tried the latter and landed successfully on the far bank - fitter than I thought!

You can  follow the track all the way back down until you reach Ordie, but I cut left across this bridge and back to the start point.

This is a nice day out, taking in three great Lochs. Apart from the burn crossing, the going is easy and I recommend it.

When I got back to the Childrens Loch, the light had changed and was perfect, so.......

As usual, I would love your comments, questions and advice!

Comments

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