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!
Checkout My Guided Photography Walks By Clicking Here
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Lochan Na Beinne |
| Posted by Graham Lumsden (highlandp) on Aug 04 2008 at 4:09 PM |
A frustrating day because of the light - overcast with sunny spells, rain squalls, throw in a little hail.
The result was a recipe for high contrast photographs that were tantalisingly close to being acceptable.
~I must invest in a Graduated Neutral Density Filter soon.
Lochan Na Beinne nestles in a corrie atop Deuchary Hill at reference NN 486 032, some 5 miles to the North East of Dunkeld.
I turned off the A9 at the Turning for Dowally, and a little way up the track I found a small bay for parking.
An Atholl Estates sign points the way (cant thank these Rangers enough)
The first part of the walk is a climb through woodland with a waterfalled canyon on your left.
At the top of the winding track you will find a small stile
You will find a track running North-South. Just to your right is a gate with a path heading East - take it!
You soon come to the heather line
At the top of the hill you will come to another gate and Raor Lodge - take the left path!
This is the path that I took on my hike to Loch Ordie (see other Travel Report)
This winds alongside Dowally Burn for a mile or two.
The path then closely follows the lower slopes of Deuchary Hill on your right.
Ahead you will see a stone bridge
At this point, turn to your right and you will see a gate through the deer fence - go through it and on up the hill, taking in the fantastic views all around, including Ordie to your left.
The track is rough and difficult, and rises steeply - good stamina required here!
Eventually, you will go through a small pass, and the Lochan is at the other end, at around 1200 feet.
Apologies for the high contrast pics - best I could do!
Then it was on with the Trangia and the sausages and beans - and on came the rain and then the hail!
After a soggy meal washed down with yoghurt and bread and butter, black clouds made me pack up and head back down the trail
A short stop on the track, then back to the car, the whole trip taking around 6 hours - 2 hours ingress due to the inclines
Lochan Na Beinne is very pretty, and well worth a visit, but pick a sunny day to get the best from it - and be prepared for contact - I met 16 walkers/cyclists.
PLEASE leave a comment for me!
Comments
| Deuchary Hill | By ANON on Jun 03 2008 at 7:53 PM |
| Hi I've been to Lochan Na Beinne many times. There used to be a sunken rowing boat you could make out as you climbed the hill. Can't believe you didn't climb the hill though - great view. |
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| Deuchary Hill | By Graham Lumsden on Jun 06 2008 at 7:08 PM |
| Hi! Thanks for stopping by and your kind comment! You are right - I should have carried right on up to the top - but I'm hooked by the water! Please stop by again! |
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