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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Pitcarmick Loch |
| Posted by Graham Lumsden (highlandp) on Dec 01 2009 at 7:52 PM |
Pitcarmick Loch, Sunday November 29th 2009. Weather: Cold, 4 - 6 degrees, Northerly wind, light snow in the wind, fleeting sun.
First snow at Pitcarmick Loch - "Snow is falling all over, out of clear blue sky" (Eddi Reader, Wild Mountainside)
Its been a while. I made my way through Blairgowrie, take the Braemar Road and turn left at Bridge of Cally. This road will eventually take you to Kirkmichael, over Moulin Moor, and then down into Pitlochry. I drove as far as Ballintuim,and left into Pitcarmick Estate. Passing the big house, I parked outside the Sawmill.
The path leads up and to the right, and through this gate
As soon as I reached the heather line, I felt like I was coming home, and my cares and troubles fell away like shedding heavy weights. I came to this fork and took the right hand path to the Loch
The sun, when it shone, was wintery and watery, but nonetheless welcome as the North wind bit deep, with ice on the puddles. Long shadows and glorious light made the heather moor glow golden.
I found this lovely display of pond weed suspended in frozen puddle water
Snow was blowing through the wind. If you look closely at the photo below, you can just see the first snow cloaking the top of the far mountain in the distance.
I saw a pair of White Tail Deer who made off up the hill, and I somehow managed to get in between four Roe Deer and separate them. They managed to reunite ahead of me and bounded off through the heather in that wonderful gait they have. You can just see the White Tails in this shot.
The first sign of the Loch is a glimpse of the Fishing Hut ahead. The Loch has a fishing hut and a small store on the North shore, and a dam and weir on the East.
The Loch is of average size and very beautiful and serene. I settled down for a much needed flask of tea and lunch. I built a shelter from the bitter wind, and lay back and thought pleasant thoughts.
I disturbed a beautiful white swan and it swam off with a disdainful honk. I found some of its lovely down feathers.
The sun was getting lower in the sky and the temperature had dropped noticeably, so I reluctantly broke camp and began to make my way back down the track. I truly wanted to remain here forever. I had the golden winter sun at my back as I made my sad way back down the trail. At least I had a few hours of peace and solitude.
I recommend this hike. It is a simple walk with only gentle slopes and it takes only an hour or so to reach the Loch.
Footnote: I was, as often happens, approached by the Landowner, naturally enquiring about my intentions on his land. He is a charming man, with a lovely wife, and I told him I was a Loch Photographer, from highlandphoto, and he said he had heard of me - FAME AT LAST!
As usual, I would love to hear your comments.
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Comments
| Serene Views | By ANON on Jul 27 2010 at 2:05 PM |
| Well Graham,you certainly found a serene spot and like many in and around the Perthshire Highlands, they draw you towards them. The difficulty for most of us not fortunate enough to be living close by, is to identify where these gems are and you are to be congratulated for openeing up such heavenly locations for us. I trust all who will view these and visit, will also honour your concern and care for this wonderful environment. As someone who has lived away from Perth for most of my days but plan soon to return to the county, these images affirm why, when recemtly asked what Perthshire felt like after leaving all those years ago, my instinctive retort was simply.....home. Your travelogue will keep me busy for many a day upon my return! Keep it up.......please George |
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| Thanks George | By Graham Lumsden on Jul 27 2010 at 4:50 PM |
| Its nice people like you and my other readers who make it worthwhile. Haste ye back. | |
| Beautiful Pictures | By ANON on Oct 18 2010 at 10:06 PM |
| I loved reading your account of your visit to Pitcarmick Loch - and the photos guide the traveller so expertly through the gate and up onto the track through the heather. I am fortunate enough to enjoy this area every day as I am the Shepherdess here at Pitcarmick. Jan |
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| Shepherdess Jan | By Graham Lumsden on Oct 22 2010 at 5:20 PM |
| Hi Jan, thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. You certainly have a beautiful place of work! | |
| By ANON on Jan 16 2012 at 12:19 PM | |
| Thank you for sharing your experiences, and the poetic way you do so.\r\n\r\nDid you manage to explore any of the features marked on the map in this area, such as the cairns and hut circles? | |
| Cairns and Circles | By Graham Lumsden on Jan 16 2012 at 5:34 PM |
| Hi, and thanks for stopping by! I did not view these things unfortunately! I normally just walk to my beautiful lochs! | |
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