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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To Errochty and on to Loch Con |
| Posted by Graham Lumsden (highlandp) on Feb 23 2012 at 10:14 PM |
Seeing a break in the constant rain, I booked a day off work and headed up the A9 again. 45 miles North off Perth I turned left towards Trinafour. A single track road rises into the hills, over cattle grids and lovely stone bridges. Just past the summit you will see a radio mast and hut on your right. I parked nearby and went through the little gate and up the clear tractor path. The path is good and the climb is not too hard. Soon the path ends and I cut left up a steep hill, then along a series of ridges. At this point, Errochty and its dam is laid out below, and Con just comes into view.
The two Lochs couldnt be more different - Errochty is a major Hydro Electric project built after the last war, and Con is small and very isolated, with wooded islands. It reminds me of Auchentaple (see previous post) At this point, I should mention that there is an easier route behind Errochty, but I wanted some high aspect photos for you, so I took the high road! The scenery from these ridges is just awesome on a fine day.
Dropping, down towards Con, the going gets very boggy in places, and there is a danger of snapping an ankle or twisting a knee - beware! I approached Con from the South West and I arrived at a bothy or boat house.
I sat here and had my lunch beside the quiet water, watching Waterboatmen busy on the Loch.
Moving clockwise around the edge, I saw a mechanical monster approaching - it was the Gamekeeper in his Land Rover/Citroen mad machine! Jerry-built from odds and ends, its a fantastic all-terrain truck he uses to patrol his beat. He stopped and we had a nice chat. I always like to hear what the Gamies and Shepherds have to say, and I like to let them see what I'm about. These great people can be a friend in need if you get into trouble. After warning me about not going near the guns in the hill behind, he moved off.
I walked to a prominent piece of land with a pile of ruined stones that may have been a building at one time.
After another cup of tea, it was time to hobble home. I took the Errochty path for a while, then turned left back up to the ridge and cross country back to the car and home.
A beautiful, peaceful pair of Lochs, both very different, both well worth a visit.
The distance to Con is perhaps 2 miles as the crow flies, but more like 3 by the time you avoid bogland.
Good boots are a must. I hope you enjoyed my report - please let me know if anyone reads them! I'd be very happy to know I'm not speaking to myself!
Comments
| George nicoll cowdenbeath fife | By ANON on Jul 31 2008 at 7:22 PM |
| nice pictures. been fishing up there. lovley place. | |
| George Nicoll | By Graham Lumsden on Oct 03 2008 at 9:20 PM |
| Thanks George - hope to see you on my travels - please stop by again! | |
| Loch Con | By ANON on Jul 17 2009 at 8:00 PM |
| It's been about a year since I was up that way last although I'm intending an overnight on the wee spit of ground beyond the fishing bothy sometime soon. I spent half an hour doing a bit of repair work to the ruined drystane base of the old boathouse next to the tree with all the bark rubbed off by the deer. Nice photos. Pip, Findo Gask | |
| looks great | By ANON on Oct 31 2010 at 8:12 PM |
| Me and a friend are heading up here in a couple of weeks for some pike fishing. its good to see a place i have never been ot first before going. I liked reading your report. i might have a wee jaunt up a hill myself. Ken |
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| Ken | By Graham Lumsden on Oct 31 2010 at 8:31 PM |
| Hi Ken - good choice of walks - the view of the two lochs from the top of the hill is very special. If you park at the little "radio hut", take the path downhill and you will soon find a good track - much easier than a heather trek. Good luck! | |
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