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 Oisienach Mor
Posted by Graham Lumsden (highlandp) on Aug 03 2008 at 7:07 AM
Highland Travelogue >>

It was up the A9 again for my latest expedition.  The elusive Lochan lies in an area called locally "Auchnashee" - I got this from my Father-In-Law who lives in those parts. I turned off the A9 at Ballinluig and took the climbing road up to Tulliemet. A helpful lady pointed me to the footpath - turn up Brown Street!
The start of the hike is hard going, on a steep winding path up the hillside, with good views up Strathtay from the top. Several gates have to be negotiated - note that a couple of the gates require physical strength to open and close.  Soon I reached the "heather level" and civilisation was left behind. This always brings a smile to my face!

The path soon changes to tractor track - two narrow grooves with a central rump - hard to walk on comfortably, but welcome, nonetheless.

At the top of the hill the track levels out and the going is pretty easy from then on.
A gentle meander across heather moorland brings you to a ruined Bothan - an old Shepherd's cottage, I was told. Its amazing to see how country folk lived up to just a few short years ago. The roof is missing now and the lovely old cottage is crumbling - but the sheep still keep the grass short!

A short stop for a cuppa  then onwards in search of the elusive Lochan.
I only saw one other person -  a mountain biker - on the entire trip, again a plus-point!
After another mile or two without sight of water, I reached that stage I often find when searching for a hill Lochan - "Am I on the right track?" - "Is there actually water up here?"
Soon I heard a distinct sound to my left -  a distant rumbling that could only be one of two things - either a train or a tumbling waterfall. As there is a distinct lack of trains up there, it could only be fast falling water - which meant there had to be a reservoir nearby!
Another few hundred yards and a small hill on my right beckoned - a quick climb and the prize came into view! - the magnificent Lochan Oiseanach Mór was laid out below.

I will admit that at this point I always have a smile from ear to ear. Its just the end of labours and the elusive target is in sight!
The Lochan is situated in a gentle dip and spreads out South to North, pure peace and calm.
I set up the tripod and took the customary photographs.

Alas, the light today is elusive - very flat and dull, so I do the best I can with long exposures to try and smooth out the gentle ripples.


Then it was time for lunch at the Lochside.   Perched on a rock, I munched lunch and listened to the incredible sound of  - nothing!   It astounds me that something so large can have no sound at all - not even a birdsong  betrays the  absolute silence.

This then is why I came and why I will keep seeking out these wonderful havens of peace.
Then all too soon it was time to wend my solitary way back on the same track.
On the way back, looking over to your right gives stunning views over to Vrackie and Lawers.


Its a 2 hour hike in, slightly less out.
A most satisfying day out and well worth a visit - although I hope you dont - I want to keep it all to myself!

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