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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Return to Loch Ordie |
| Posted by Graham Lumsden (highlandp) on Jan 24 2009 at 8:31 AM |
"Woodsmoke or Midges"? - Well, thats your choice in the Scottish Highlands in Summer - you either suffer the smoke or suffer the midges - I always choose the former.
I returned to Ordie by a different route from the last time (see earlier post)
I went back up through Butterstone on the same route as last Friday evening.
The problem this time was that a squad of men were trying to deliver a 12.5' wide Portakabin up an 8' wide road to Butterstone School.
This caused an hours delay and a TRAFFIC JAM ON THE BUTTERSTONE SCHOOL ROAD! - must be the first time ever!
Well, the delivery was interesting and everyone thought they knew the best way to go, but the crew got there in the end, but with inches to spare and after demolishing a wall!
With the jam cleared, I made my way back up to The Children's Loch (see last post) and parked just off the metalled road.
It was an easy hike as far as Reimore Lodge, then a left fork onto 4 x 4 track through a scenic Glen.
Again there are wonderful views of Deuchary Hill from the East side.
Ordie was just over a rise and ingress time was 45 minutes or so on easy track.
I have seen most of the smaller Lochs in Perthshire, but I firmly believe that Ordie is one of the prettiest.
The path curves left as you approach the little bay that houses a row of abandoned cottages and some tethered row-boats.
You approach the bay through a lovely avenue of Rhododendron.
There were a few people around, and I set up camp next to the moorings and lit a fire.
A walker approached me and told me off for having the fire smoke blowing into my face - and I told him about my "woodsmoke or midges" rule, and he went off with a huff!
Lunch was home made macaroni cheese and a yoghurt followed by a few mugs of smoky tea!
The light was very poor, but I took a few photos for you.
The return journey was the opposite of the ingress - and, as I made my way home - THE SUN CAME BLAZING THROUGH! - well, it IS Scotland!
As usual, PLEASE leave a comment!
Comments
| Joe | By ANON on Aug 26 2008 at 3:21 PM |
| Loch Ordie is a beauty. You made camp next to Queen's View - a cairn marks the spot where Queen Victoria sat and admired the loch. She also, on another visit, got lost in her carriage in a storm and had a hot drink in the cottage you saw. Her diaries describe this event. | |
| Joe | By Graham Lumsden on Aug 26 2008 at 4:04 PM |
| Welcome back Joe! That solves a mystery for me - I always wondered about the cairn, and I couldnt find a dedication on it. It certainly is a major and professionaly built construction. The old gal certainly loved the Highlands! |
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| Loch Ordie | By ANON on Jul 17 2009 at 8:08 PM |
| Camped there last night - didn't arrive at the far side of the loch until 23.00 - the illuminated sign at the Broxden said "heavy rain with risk of flooding" - and it was right! To miss the roadworks turn left at the Tullybelton road, right at the crossroads to Bankfoot and north on the old A9 through BanKfoot to Dunkeld. Pip - Findo Gask | |
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