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
If you have any questions about the places I visit, please e-mail me and I will do my best to help!
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Lochan a Choire Creagaich, and others |
| Posted by Graham Lumsden (highlandp) on Aug 04 2008 at 4:13 PM |
I decided to do a few smaller Lochans today, just to be different.
Lochan a Choire Creagaich and Lochan Lairig and an unnamed reservoir/dam are set on top of Glen Quaich in Perthshire.
Up the A9 and turn off left for Crieff.
10 miles on you come to Amulree, and the single track road through Glen Quaich is on your right.
You soon pass Loch Freuchie on your right, and the road starts to climb steeply.
A deadly series of cattle grids and hairpin bends put you on a plateau with marvellous views.
You stop at a barrier on your left with great views of the 'Gorms and Gramps!
The ingress is very short, perhaps half a mile.
You quickly pass Lochan Lairig on your left - completely overgrown with reeds
Moving on - you come to a fork - take the left fork.
Still some snow in the high corries here.
There are some wonderful views of old Schiehallion and others up here
Lochan a Choire Creagich comes into view on your right.
Again almost completely overgrown, and home to a noisy colony of gulls.
There were signs of damaged eggs, and the gulls were very agitated, so I took a few photos and moved on.
I found myself around the back of the hill looking back down the Glen.
I disturbed a Red Grouse.
I also saw three large Red Deer.
That fence is electric - beware!
I set up camp and put on the Trangia.
I had brought some tasty ingredients and started preparing a stew.
I thinly sliced some steak, mushrooms, onion and red pepper and chucked it into the pan with a little butter and added a beef stock cube when it was almost cooked.
Very tasty - and followed with some toasted bread and a good cuppa tea!
I decided to stay for an hour or so and I had brought a good book with me.
The peace was wonderful and breathtaking views too!
I packed up - Leave No Trace! - and made my short way back along the track to the car.
I knew there was a larger Lochan nearby and I drove on a little and parked near the edge.
A good stile gives access over an electric fence
The unnamed Lochan is beautiful in the sunshine, and is well framed by Schiehallion and other peaks in the background
So - this "reeding" of the small Lochans - is this good news or bad?
I wish I was a scientist, because it worries me.
Does it help the Lochans little Eco-System, or hinder it?
Is it good for the Fauna and Fish, or bad?
If anyone knows, please let me know - if its bad- I will try to pass the position on to a body that may be able to help.
And if anyone knows the name of the Reservoir - please let me know!
I hope you enjoyed my little trip - please let me know!
Comments
| Reeds | By ANON on Feb 26 2009 at 12:31 AM |
| Wow Graham, this is the first entry in which I really saw the "reeding" growth you talk about in your intro. I am also not a scientist, but it does look strange to see the Lochan almost completely overtaken by reeds. The photos of the small valley are beautiful. Sue |
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| Sue | By Graham Lumsden on Feb 26 2009 at 5:33 PM |
| Thanks Sue. Its something I do come across and its worrying. The valley shot is looking back down Glen Quaich towards Loch Freuchie, Amulree and the Sma' Glen | |
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