14

Beautiful warm day, went up to Glen Doll in Angus to run up Jocks Road, over past Loch Esk and back down
via Bachnagairn to the car park in Glen Doll.
Excellent day.

A couple of trips out to take advantage of the decent weather. Went to NW to do Beinn Sgritheall and also up the
A9 (before the ridiculous average speed cameras are installed - whose idiotic idea is that? It is the slow speed of
lorries and caravans that causes frustration. People will still perform dangerous overtaking but will probably not hit
60mph doing it! Just duel it.) to do bit of scrambling on fiacaill ridge. Then rambled over plateau for a very pleasant
afternoon.
Some pics from Cairngorms:

Trip to Braemar to tackle the Cairngorms. Were lucky and got the best week of summer so far. Great week
and achieved pretty much everything we wanted to. These were notes from week:

Wednesday 29th may
Drove up from Perth and went to glen muick for lochnagar.
Decent weather, some cloud which increased with Little light rain but soon lifted again.
Warmish. Inside book time to top and a good first day of holiday.

Thursday 30th may
Up at 5am left at six and cycling 630. From linn of dee to white bridge,left bikes and began walking.
Went over beinn bhrotain, Monadh mhor, angels peak, cairn toul, devils point then down to corrour
and long long long walk out.
Superb day with some warm sunshine and good visibility. Some cloud and a light shower but improving throughout day.
Met the falling over man and the old grey man of the hills!
Left car 630am back 700pm. The walkout was hard in what was now hot sun but the rest of the day was up there as one of,
if not, the best hillwalking day ever.

Friday 31st may
Rest day. Drove to ballater and had couple of pints back in Braemar at fife arms.bought socks!

Saturday 1st June
Up early again and off to sugar bowl car park. Set off for briariach. Left car at 745 got back 1530.
Great day really nice and sunny early then clouding over a bit with some light rain on way back - when off hill.
Summit snow covered and reckon at least a couple of metres of snow.
7th hill in 4 days.

Sunday 2nd June
Up at 5 again for early start. Up to invercauld bridge car park and set off biking at 645.
Cycled up to just short of slugain ruin then walked up to the sneck. Beautiful walk past waterfalls,
snow bridges and ptarmigan. Once at the sneck we left the sacks and went up Ben Avon then beinn a bhuird.
Dotterel on latter. Weather was cold to start with slight frost but got warmer during day and ended clear
sunny and warm. Another superb day. Back to car about 1615. Man in car park who knew everything and told us.
All felt good.

Monday 3rd June
More leisurely start and off to linn of dee to do carn a mhaim. Cycled in to Derry and then walked.
Nice day,some cloud and cool wind near top but warm in glen. Cycled back back reasonable time
and had pint outside fife arms.

Tuesday 4th June
Was supposed to be clear but plenty of cloud although warm. Went round to feshie and up Mullach a clach bhlair.
Made good time, started 8am and back 1350. Great walk along ridge - saw more dotterel - and views across
to four of the peaks we did Thursday!
Stopped at potting shed cafe for coffee and cakes. This is a great place with possibly the best cakes in the world!
11 hills so far.

Wednesday 5th June
Up to inverey and cycled in for beinn iutharn mhor. Left car at 745 good cycle, stopped at ruined lodge for snack.
On foot to ne ridge of hill. Found grassy steep section which we ascended quite easily. Up onto ridge.
Long ridge which sweeps round to summit. Great walk with excellent views, especially across to gorms.
Could see all the other eleven hills we had done this holiday. Back out same way. Back to car 1345.
Fine day and twelve for holiday.

Thursday rest day and Friday went for run up morrone.

Cairn toul and Loch Nan Stuirteag	Cairn Toul
Panorama - Briariach and Ben Macdui
Cairn toul...again! from Briariach Summit	Cairn Toul and Briariach from cairn A Mahim
Ben Avon view East from Summit	En route to Beinn Iuthairn Mhor

Having been fell running for most of last few months, decided to go hill walking and went up to Glenshee to do Glas Tulaichean.
Sunny start but cloud slowly increasing. We managed to get up and down before it clagged in too much. Easy walk and we were
at summit after 1hr 50 mins. Some fair sized patched of snow for this height at this time of year, however still looks to be plenty of
snow on the Cairngorms. Which should be fun when we go there in a few weeks time.

Slightly off topic but went to Berlin last weekend - superb city, great vibe, friendly, excellent beer - running out of superlatives. Can
recommend a visit - we did lots of touristy things plus we jumped on a tram in what was the old East Germany and just got off at
a random spot which resulted in us entering a shopping centre with bunnies riding horses. This is my sort of place!
Back to the hills in the next week or so, in the meantime a random selection of way too many pictures. Still i like to look at them
at work to remind me why I am actually working!!!

Dreich in East with wind, sleet and heavy rain but, not for the first time this winter, it got brighter and drier as we headed West. Possibly
proving West is Best? Went over to run from near Strontian over the coffin road and back up road to start point. about 16.5k with 770m
climbing. Decent run but the road at the end was hard as it rose quite a bit as it climbed back over the high ground. We both commented
along the lines of "oh i say, what a fairly steep road this is...gosh".
Stayed at Inn at Ardgour again. Once again can't speak highly enough of it. Still £49 for room inc full breakfast. Well stocked bar, friendly
welcome, great food (the apple crumble and custard was a thing of wonder yet again.) and......£49!!!!.
Went for a run round village today (100313) in yet more snow. Nice to stretch the legs though.

Beautiful week - spring like conditions and we had to get out to the hills. Headed off to the Ochils and it was glorious. Just had a little 10k
run and after the many grey days of Winter it was superb to be out and about. Saw the first lamb on way back.
Off to West coast again next weekend so no doubt will be all change by then.

Went over to West Coast again past Glencoe/Kinlochleven this time and over the Corran Ferry to Ardgour and went up Sgurr Na Eanchainne.
Really nice winter day and a great wee hill for a February day. Up the East ridge to bealach and then Soouth up to the summit. Some snow
at top but a lot had melted. One of those days to just sit and take in the view and appreciate once again how wonderful Scotland is.
We stayed at the Inn at Ardgour - a really good spot. Decent room, good bar with Caledonian Best (Mmmm!). The Fish & chips were very
good and the Apple Crumble and Custard was truly a thing of wonder! The cost of room and breakfast was only £49 an absolute bargain.
Worth a visit I would say!

Lots of snow here in the last week. Up to a foot at its peak followed by a fast thaw and now heavy rain and flooding. Managed to get out cross country
skiing each of the last two weekends in the Ochils. Great weather and superb snow week before last. Powdery and fast. Last weekend was
following heavy snow on the Friday and in the forest was deep and crisp and not very even.
The road was excellent though having been ploughed and we spent a pleasant hour or so on there.
Hoping for a trip out West this weekend - storms permitting!
Some pictures of last weekend and some of snow in village.

Nice day today - went over to Ochils for run over Seamab Hill, quite a bit of snow in forest and some drifts on top. Looked a bit dark out to the south
and seemed to be getting darker!
Took a pre Christmas trip to Kinlochleven ast Friday and went up a Corbett on the south side of the Loch - Garbh Bheinn. Not a promising start
with heavy rain and flooding on the roads in the East. It picked up as we headed West (unusually!) and was only lightly raining at the start.
Great little Winter hill, as we got higher the rain turned to snow and with the wind the visibility dropped to near zero. Up to a foot of snow higher
up. a short way before summit there is a wee scrambly bit followed by a gully, the rocks looked very icy so we dropped down a bit and into gully
and then back up onto the ridge. A really good hill and with the conditions really good fun.
We stayed overnight at the Clachaig Inn which was really warm and comfortable and the breakfast was superb and to be recommended

Decided to take advantage of the snow before it turns temporarily milder this weekend. The wind was too strong for the hills so decided to head off
to the forest near Glenquey reservoir in the Ochils. Walked up to the forest and was pleased to find plenty of snow in the forest ride, so donned skis
and went up to the highest point where the path emerges from the forest - very windy here and nearly had a ski backwards courtesy of the wind as it
caught me off guard as I was fiddling about trying to find the camera. Skiid back down through the forest then out on a little loop back up higher on the main
path and then skiid back down again. Unfortunately the wind slowed things up a bit, but it was good to be out on the skis again after last years mild
winter. Back to the car park in time to help push a delivery van out, whose wheels were spinning, out onto the road.
Good ski and a good deed - good day all round.

Trip over to the West and the first hill walk for some time. Target was Mam Na Gualainn from the North side of Loch Leven. Set off in pouring rain and sleet
but as we emerged from the Green Welly Shop in Tyndrum after a much enjoyed bacon & egg roll, there was hints of blue sky :-)
By the start the weather was clear & quite warm in the sun. A short winters walk and as we climbed the snow depth increased and the wind increased
with plenty of spindrift. Superb at the top with views over Aonach Eagach, Bidean Nam Bian, Bheithir pair, and the Mamores - all snow covered.
Black clouds gathered and passed by over the higher summits and left us clear. Great day and a very pleasant overnight stay with plenty of beer at
the Kingshouse Hotel in Glencoe.

Went up to Kintail for a week and half. Stayed in a great cottage at Dornie called Sgurr Uran - really comfortable & warm, wood panelled and overlooks Loch. after
first couple of days when it was the end of the cold weather (with snow on the hills) it turned warm then very warm. Superb week. Made some notes during week
which are copied below.
***
May 2012

Thursday 17th

Meall Glas & Sgiath Chuil in Glen Dochart from Auchessan light rain but not to cold to start. More wind at top and
gradually got colder during day. No visibility on top. Some snow patches. The climb up the 300m slope to the second top,
was pure hell. Second top at 2pm, long walk out. Quick change at car then to green welly shop for tea and scone.
Rubbish drive to Dornie due to roadworks. Snow down to road level en route to Kintail and lots of snow on hills.
Very Nice cottage.

Saturday 19th

Up early and after egg,Lorne,toast and tattie scone for breakfast, headed off to Killilan. Cycled up glen and up
Mullach Nan Dheragain. Could see snow was down but as we got higher realised that there was up to 3ft of fresh in places.
Hard work but got to first top ok, could see munro which lay far side of narrow corniced section. Was almost a winter
walking experience - more so than most days last winter certainly! Summited the retraced our steps over narrow bit then back down
- back to bikes and the long cycle out. Roughly eight hours out.
Great day, tired in evening though. Skye tomorrow all being well.

Sunday 20th

Over the bridge to Skye today. Parked near Sligachan and went to do Bruach Na Frith. Cold start but warmed during the day.
Up in corrie there was plenty of wet snow which had been trampled down and was quite slippery. Great views round ridge and
the Basteir Tooth.

Monday 21st

Another lovely day,getting warmer each day. Went north to Am Faochaig. River quite high and water came up to thighs on way in.
Great views from top - could see Assynt hills, Seana Braigh, An Teallach, Torridon hills and many others. Chose a slightly better
place to cross on return and back, to car for an approx 5hr round. Back to cottage for beer and cakes. Very calm evening and
NO midges! Hoping for another nice day tomorrow as it is the Fisherfield.

Tuesday 22nd

A big day! Went to Poolewe and cycled then walked into Fisherfield. Climbed Ruadh Stac Mor. Very eroded but made it up no problem.
Strange men at top! Long walk out. Beautiful weather sunny and warm. Started about 815am and got back to car about 7pm.
Marvellous Marvellous.

Wednesday 23rd

Rest day - cycled up to Loch Dornie Hotel and had a couple of pints. Generally chilled out in warm summer heat!
Blabheinn tomorrow all being well.

Thursday 24th

Up at 630 left at 730 and down to Skye to do Blabheinn. Started walking around 845 very warm with some midges.
Went up path to grassy alp had a sandwich then up the ridge. Absolutely wonderful weather,clear and sunny and hot in sun.
The views at the top were simply stunning with the full Skye ridge laid out before us. We took some time at the top before
making our way down. A lot of people were coming up by then and it looked as though it was going to be busy.
We were at top about 1045 and back to car about 1245.
Sat in garden in sun after getting back to cottage, saw an eagle being mobbed by crow.
***
First Weekend in June we went up to Glen Lyon to do the Four Munros there. Nice day - cleaer but with cold wind on tops
-perfect hill walking weather in fact!. We ran bits of it and were on the last top after three and half hours, car to car round
trip 4hr 20min. Good hills and recommended for accessibility, not being too difficult and great views.

As usual a random selection of pictures follow:

Looking back down Glen Elchaig from Iron Lodge	Wintry looking Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan	Ridge on Mullach Na Dheiragain
Bruach Na Frith	Basteir Tooth on Skye Ridge	Seana Bhraigh to the right and Suilven in distance
On walk into Ruadh Stac Mor - Fionn Loch and Dubh Loch	Looking down on Fuar Loch Mor. Dubh Loch behind.	Bla Bheinn Summit - Skye Ridge behind
Glen Lyon 'Four' Ridge	Mountain Hare

After a wonderful March which ended with summer temperatures and wall to wall sunshine, April has been a bit rubbish with plenty of
rain, wind and even snow. Currently cloudy with frequent showers and a temperature of 10C. Still can't complain really all adds to
the variety.
Have managed to get out and about a few times end March and start April and have popped a couple of pretty random pictures below.
Plans are afoot for more trips soon - so will endeavour to update a bit more frequently!

Ben Lawers range from Meall Ghaordie	Ben Cleugh in the Ochills from Innerdownie
Norwegian style Hytte at Spittal of Glenshee Link is: http://www.glenbeag.co.uk/logcabins.htm	View North up Glenshee - The Cairnwell in the distance
Looking towards Glas Tulaichean from Meall Uaine	Red Deer
Perhaps the best Sheep in the world - Herdwicks

A mixed bag of weather recently with high winds, rain and since middle of December fairly mild. This has resulted in the melt of the low
level snow and the stripping of cover higher up - although the ski centres have been continuing to operate. Looks like a spell of generally
colder weather over the next week or two which should result in a build up of snow on the hills.
Have had a couple of trips out to the Ochils, firstly to Commonedge Hill near Yetts O'Muckhart. Dry whilst I was out but deteriorating
with cloud lowering. Nice run though a bit damp underfoot lower down.
Went up to Corb Glen last Friday and went over John's Hill, Sim's Hill, Green Law, Rowantree Craig, Steele's Knowe, Carlownie Hill
and Eastbow Hill. Big windfarm up there but didn't really detract from the great views to Ben Lawers range, Ben Vorlich, Ben Ledi
and Ben Lomond amongst others. Nice day out.

On Commonedge Hill looking towards Firth of Forth	On Seamab Hill looking back towards Commonedge Hill and Innerdownie behind
From John's Hill towards Ben Vorlich & Stuc A Chroin in the distance	Looking at the route along the ridge	Ben Cleugh away to the South
Wind Farm	Trig Point Steele's Knowe - Ben Lawers behind	Looking towards Eastbow Hill from Steele's Knowe
From Eastbow Hill Back along route	Trig point Eastbow Hill - Ben Lomond, Ben Ledi & Ben Vorlich in the distance

First skiing trip of the year - after the storm on Thursday went up to a forest near Aberfeldy which holds snow quite well, and although there
had been some rain at that height (about 400m at car park), there was decent snow cover albeit quite heavy. There has been a lot of work
on the new wind farm. There has been a lot of clear felling and I saw at least 24 turbines. May effect the snow holding a bit at that point.
Good ski round though and hopefully first of many.

Trip down to Lake District again. Despite it being cold and wet in Scotland, we had a beautiful three days with sun and blue sky every day
and I even topped up the tan a bit! Got in a few beers at the Coledale Inn and went up High Seat & Bleaberry fell one day and Catbells the
next. Took a trip to Grasmere - bit touristy but this time of year is pretty quiet.
On the last day went to eat at the Dog & Gun in Keswick, had the famous Hungarian Ghoulash and it was superb. Great food, great pub.
Also were entertained by a chap from Whitehaven who told us a few jokes, ripped one of his £20 notes in half long story) and bought my missus a
double sherry. Good times.

After quite a grey and wet October, finally got some nice weather and went to Glen Feshie and climbed Sgor Gaotihe. There was some cloud drifting
around the summit and over the Cairngorms, but otherwise a fine day. We were up and down in three hours.
I went for a run at Ballochbuie Forest just east of Braemar on Friday. Lucky with weather as grey wet & windy near Perth but actually saw some sun
whilst I was out. Nice views down River Dee to Lochnagar.

Went down to Yorkshire for a week then onto Galloway in south West Scotland. Despite wild weather (including tail end of Hurricane Katia) we got out
most days running or cycling. Went up Pen y Gent, Whernside and Wether Fell in Yorkshire and Screel Hill and Cairnsmore Of Fleet in Galloway.
Stayed near Hawes in Yorkshire - a great village with everything you could want including a spar shop that sells superb home made pork pies and
three bars. The one that was best - The Crown - has been refurbished and now feels a bit like a waiting room!. The Old Board Inn is far better.
A mention should also be made of the Green Dragon at Hardraw - old bar with great beer. Both the latter two sell the excellent Timothy Taylors ales.
Stayed in a 'Wigwam' at Solway Bay in Galloway - nice location and Wigwam better than tent but could have done with a twin ring hob inside to save
having to walk down to cookhouse all the time.

View down to Hubberholme, Yorkshire	Stepping Stones at Cray, Yorkshire
Buckden, Yorkshire	Whernside...and cows, Yorkshire
Ingleborough, Yorkshire	'Wigwam' Galloway
Rainbow over Wigwam.	The Merrick from Cairnsmore of Fleet
Looking South form the summit of Screel Hill, Galloway

Spent last weekend over in Knapdale. First time visit to area and it is really excellent. Its got canals, moors, ancient burial sites and forts, beaches, forests
hills, lochs, midges and ticks! In fact everything you could want. We spent some time cycling along the Crinan Canal. Went up Dunadd the ancient hillfort and
the capital of the kingdom of Dalriada. It was a beautiful day and the views were stunning.
I can recommend the Cairnbaan Hotel - excellent food and beer and the sun always shines there! On the other hand the coffee shop at Crinan was a throwback
to the bad old days with watery coffee, stodgy cakes (both over priced) and spectacularly surly staff (nice alliteration there!). Including when she dropped and
smashed a cup followed by the immortal line to the waiting tourists "can you all go away". Priceless.
We also went Beaver watching. Knapdale is the home of the Beaver reintroduction to Scotland and there is a visitor centre and walks from which you can see
the dam created by the Beavers and all sorts of signs of Beaver activity. A great project set up by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Royal Zoological Society of Scotland
and Forestry Commission Scotland. We actually had a great close up views of a pair - a wonderful moment when you think that prior to this reintroduction, the
last wild Beavers seen here was over 400 years ago.
Anyway - here's a few pictures:

After quite a bit of unsettled weather, the last couple of days have been...well ...summery!. As the forecast was wet and windy for this weekend decided to
get out and run over the three Lomond Hills. Nice & sunny and quite warm. Parked at Craigmead on the Falkland to Leslie road and went up East Lomond first, then
onto West Lomond and finally Bishop's Hill. Great views all round, could see across to Ben Vorlich in West, Schiehallion to the North, Dundee and North Sea
to East and to the South Edinburgh, the Pentlands and Bass Rock.
Took it fairly steady and did the round in about three and a half hours. Back in the car park I seemed to have attracted a largeish collection of flies!!!
Good day....and the rain arrived later in the afternoon.

Well, since the last update - we went for a small exercise run near Kinross and my wife fell awkwardly and broker her leg in two places. So have not really been away
anywhere very exciting. Cast should come off in three weeks time and then the build up back to fitness can begin.
The weather has not actually been particularly brilliant over the last three weeks with plenty of cloud and rain. Quite cold as well with some snow over the higher
hills.
Did go out with family last week to the Scottish Deer Centre in Fife. Nice Cafe. Can't really say much more than that.
In the absence of hill pictures, here are a couple of pictures of animals that are not Deer at the Deer Centre:

Went for a week to Roybridge. Stayed at a brilliant self catering house at Kinchellie Croft - the place is warm, comfortable, well equipped and very very well priced at
at £330 for a week. (off season this goes down to £250 and the lodges are even cheaper).
Managed a full week of walking in hills. Weather surprisingly good - snow shower on Thursday and very strong winds on Wednesday but generally pretty good. Had a
good day on Ben Alder and Beinn Bheoil, also a long day from Moy Lodge doing Beinn Eibhinn, Aonach Beag, Geal Charn and Carn Dearg.
Had some fun crossing streams in Glen Nevis to climb An Gearanach and on the last day, caught the train from Roybridge to Corrour Station and did the two Munros
on the south side of Loch Ossian. We decided to go over Carn Dearg, then Sgor Gaibhre, returning over Carn Dearg to get the afternoon train. We managed this with ease arriving
back at the station five and a quarter hours after leaving it and with and hour and a half before the 315 train. Time to get coffee, Scones and a beer from the Station house
cafe. (Note: this is now run by the Scottish Youth Hostel Association and is very good - the previous owner gained some mixed reviews)
A great week.

Carn Dearg from Geal Charn	Ben Alder (left) with Sgor Iuthairn (lancet edge) to the right
Looking down into Glen Nevis from slopes of An Gearanach (Ben Nevis in cloud back left and Aonachs in cloud back right)	Returning to Carn Dearg with Sgor Gaibhre behind
Looking down Loch Ossian - Youth Hostel in trees	Corrour Station House
View of Aonachs from Kinchellie	View of Grey Corries from Kinchellie

Superb forecast so foregoing the Royal Wedding went up to Kintail to tackle the South Cluanie Ridge. Up at 3am and after good journey, started the walk at 640am. A cold
start with some frost in Glens and cold wind on way up North ridge of Drum Shionnach. By the time we got to the top the suns warmth was taking over and it was quite warm.
This really set the scene for the day - clear blue sky, warm in sun with cooling breeze - Ridge walking in Scotland does not get any better.
We both wore lightweight Walsh shoes and carried mainly water so it was a joy to travel along relatively unburdened. We completed the ridge in 6 hrs 30 mins.
Saw a Golden Eagle soaring across the ridge and away across to Gleouraich to the South with barely a wing beat.
After a pretty decent descent down the NE ridge of Creag Nan Damh we had the notorious plantation to get lost in. It really is a rubbish finish with essentially a band of rock
to scramble/slide down just when your tired.. We went west as far as we could then cut down a vague muddy path to the wire fence. Got through that then scrabbled up
through gorse to the main road. Couldn't spoil the day though which ended very well as we managed to hitch a lift back to the Cluanie Inn.
Camped that night at Shiel Bridge campsite - no midges as yet. Walked down to the Kintail Lodge Hotel which is a great venue - good beer, good food and a good atmosphere.
Can recommend it.
Fantastic day.

Looking West towards Five sisters form North Ridge of Drum Shionnach	Looking back to narrow bit after Aonach Air Chrith
Looking West along ridge	South to Gleouraich
West along ridge	Sgurr An Lochain from Sgurr an Doire Leathain
Ptarmigan	Looking back East from seventh top Creag Nan Damh

To Ben Lawers today which sits north of Loch Tay. From Car park went round Beinn Ghlas and up to Bealach. Followed path up to ridge then onto Ben Lawers. Quite
an easy route up. Started out in bright sunshine but cloud quickly spread in from west. Windy on top so didn't stay too long and pushed onto An Stuc.
Dropped back down south fro An Stuc then contoured back round to find the path we came in on. Saw Ptarmigan and Ravens. Quite a few people out and about. Total
time 4hours car to car. A good way to spend Easter Sunday.

Went up to Glenshee last Sunday. Beautiful day - first really warm day of the year. Took the bikes and cycled in from Auchallater to Lochcallter Lodge then went over a couple
of Munros - Car an t-Sagairt Mor and Carn a Choir Bhoidheach. Great views from tops. This is a really nice area and several combinations of hills are possible. We heard
first Willow Warbler of year and saw Ring Ouzel, Mountain Hares, Ptarmigan, Wheatear, also heard Golden Plover. Still bits of snow about with a few collapsed cornices
and some 'icebergs' in Loch Nan Eun. Managed to do a couple of bumslides down snow patches. Managed to get on to second top in two and half hours from car which
was a decent time for first hills of year.
Planning some more trips over next two or three weeks, in the meantime some pics:

Went down to The Lake District recently to see some friends and have a few drinks. We stayed at the Coledale Inn in Braithwaite which is excellent. Decent price, good hearty food,
very friendly staff/owners, good beer, real fire.. well need I say more? Anyway, in such a conducive atmosphere much beer was drunk however we did manage to go up
Grisedale Pike - one of many walks that go direct from the Inn. Both the days we didn't walk were beautiful and as you might guess the day of the walk was wet & grey.
A great couple of days.
Once back to Scotland went up to Glenmore to grab some Cross Country Skiing on the remaining tracks in the forests around Loch Morlich. Forgot camera so no pics was
nice day but a bit warm! Rounded off week with a couple of runs and a couple of winning bets at the Cheltenham Horse Racing Festival.
Excellent week.

A long winter it seems - not much snow since Christmas funnily enough but quite grey. Mind you we have had several hours of snow this morning as the warm air is pushing
against the cold air in place over Scotland. Looks like the warm air is winning as it is now turning to rain.
Were going to go for a hillwalk at the end of February but blizzards and 120+ gusts on Cairngorms made up our minds to head to coast near St Andrews. There is a beautiful
beach there with sand dunes, pines and lots of paths for walking, cycling. It was a very stormy day quite a few waders on shoreline. Saw a Merlin harrying a dunlin and a Long
Tailed Duck on one of the pools.
Its that time of year for plans and we have quite a few over the coming weeks so hope to post more pictures as we go.

Well, where to start. Snow all over the place in one of the earliest snowfalls I can remember. We have over 2.5ft level snow and have taken full advantage of being unable to
get out of village by skiing round it. Have managed to get out on XC xkis several times in last week and also went out on touring skiis in local fields although on the higher ground
the snow had drifted to over 3 ft in places which made it very hard. Now we can get car out, went to ski around Loch Leven but difficult to park nearby. Parked up in Milnathort
and walked/skied to Loch. Well trodden down en route but but still deep & crisp & even @ Lochside making for difficult progress.
Looks like may go a bit milder (relatively speaking) next weekend before more cold air coming in week after, so snow should stick around a while. Hoping to head up to Glenmore
to ski on the cut tracks around there. First time they have been cut for many years all thanks to Bill Wilson of the Glenmore shop & cafe who has purchased a track cutting machine.
No charge for using tracks but Bill accepts donations at cafe to help with running costs.
Have posted some pictures of snow below.

Long delay in updating site due to busy times. Have managed to get away a couple of times. Most recently to Braemar at start of October. Weather was wild & wet but managed
to get up An Sgarsoch & Sgurr An Fheidler. Went from Linn of Dee and made pretty good time despite three deep river crossings. Next day started out from Inverey and went
up Carn Bhac. Forecast was good but actually we had to cycle into gale force Westerly wind with driving rain. One of the bikes failed us with 3km left to cycle - so bikes dumped
and walked rest of way. Hillside seemed to be under water but made it to top ok. Much beer & whisky consumed that night-purely medicinal!. Did take pictures but all are pretty
murky.
Also went off to Yorkshire & Lake District start of September. Camped for first nine days but weather not kind and by the last night the campsite was muddy hell and had to
sit up all night trying to hold up walls of Laavu which were being caved in by storm force wind. Morning showed it had survived ok with one broken guy rope, but it was enough for
us and we headed to Lake District and a static caravan.
During holiday we ran the Three Peaks in Yorkshire - over three days, hoping to go back next year to try and do them in one day - which are Ingelborough, Whernside and Pen-Y-Ghent.
Also ran Great Shunner Fell. Almost as importantly we went to the Theakstons brewery in Masham which I can recommend.
In the lakes we did Cat Bells & High Spy and on the last day Skiddaw. Preferred Yorkshire, bit quieter and wild than the Lakes which seem all crushed into small area and are
absolutely overrun with people. Maybe have got used to the wild places of Scotland?
Anyway here are some pictures.

Ingleborough from near Ribblehead	Typical North Yorkshire scenery near Hawes	Whernside from the South
Cat Bells to left and Skiddaw in background	View south across Lake District (Derwentwater) from Skiddaw slopes

Well...a long planned trip into Caringorms took place this weekend. Plan was to bivvy out for two nights during a walk from Derry Lodge taking in Carn a Mhaim, Lochan Uaine, Loch Etchachan, Beinn A Bhuird and out via Clais Fhearnaig. The trip started fine with the weather pretty good. I ran up the Corbett opposite Carn A Mhaim - Sgor Mor then up Carn A
Mhaim. The weather took a decided turn for the worse soon after with heavy rain showers which tended to merge together coupled with a decidedly chilly North Wind.
We went from Carn A Mhaim to the south west flanks of Ben Macdui and contoured round to the Sron riach ridge at th elow point above Lochan Uaine. A quite exciting descent
down steep chossy ground took us down to the Loch where we set up camp. It rained most of the night and by morning (after eating breakfast with rainwater pouring off the hood
of my coat) everything was wet. The decision was taken to bale and we dropped down to the geln beneath Derry Cairngorm - which, surprisingly! was very wet and boggy.
So back to Braemar for chips & tea at the Hungry Highlander which I have to say were excellent, all though that mught be coloured by the fact we were slightly tired & bedraggled.
All good fun though.

A trip to Achnasheen for the weekend to join a friend on his last Munro. Great weekend - the weather was actually decent. Very warm to start the day - too
warm for the longish cycle in, but it clouded up from the West later to give cloud and drizzle @ the top.
The last hill was Maoile Lunndaidh and a fine hill it was too finish with. We went up the Nort West ridge round to the top and back down the North East ridge
making a very enjoyable round. We then had the cycle out - and then the long uphill on the way in became a superb downhill. Great finish.
We stayed at the Ledgowan Hotel Bunkhouse & I can recommend it. The bunkhouse itself is fairly basic but reasonably comfortable. Each of the five bedrooms
has w2 bunkbeds, chair & chest of drawers. also a sink. There are 2 bathrooms, one with walk in shower the other with bath & shower. There is a kitchen
which is pretty well equipped and has cooker with oven. At £26/night for a rrom - not bad. The hotel itself is very good. Good beer and very good food. The steak &
ale pie was a triumph - cooking does'nt get better than this :-).

Up Cairngorm -cloudy but genrally dry. Rained later so were quite lucky. Still Skiing making it the latest skiing season since the early nineties. Still quite a bit
of snow on the plateau.

Went off to Ullapool for a few days. Interesting weather including one of the coldest May nights on record and plenty of Snow, even down to road level around
the Corrishalloch - Gairloch Road. Melted quite readily as the sun rose higher.
Went up Ben More Coigach in Assynt, not a high hill but beautiful location on the seaboard and impressive cliffs. Heavy showers all round but we were lucky
and missed them until we got to the summit when we got hit by hail. Turned to snow on the way down for a while before clearing.
Had a walk around the Mellon Udrigle area on the next day. Superb beaches and seascapes. Lots of places to walk. Saw a White Tailed Sea Eagle en route
around the Little Gruinard bay area.
Finished the break by going up Fionn Bheinn from Achnasheen. Great day with clear blue skies and snow covered tops. Views from top of Torridon hills,
Fannaichs, Deargs and many more. Fantastisk.

Off to the Cairngorms today. Cycled in from Linn of Dee to Derry Lodge then went up the edge of the forest, out onto the ridge and north up the summit of Beinn
Bhrac. Saw a Golden Eagle on the slopes of Derry Cairngorm feeding on a deer carcass. There were Ptarmigan up near the summit along with a small party
of Snow Buntings.
It was fairly settled to start but a few showers started coming through during the afternoon, although we were lucky as they mainly stayed to the North and indeed
the south. Not to cold & very warm sitting in a sheltered spot for lunch.
Great day in the high hills.

Had a week off. Went out each day running or cycling, but also managed to get a bit of skiing in on the 16th in a forest near to Perth. Although the snow looked to have
gone, the forest rides were holding the snow well. Certainly the latest I have known. Was a cold start with a slight air frost so snow was quite fast to start, however once the
sun came out the snow softened and it was very good under ski. Towards the end, the temperatures had risen quite a bit and it got quite a bit slower. Headed back
very satisfied.
Went for a walk today (27/03/2010) up East Lomond Hill. Beautiful day and great views all round. Nice hills these, views to highlands to North and Firth of Forth to
the south.
Still plenty of snow in higher hills so may try and get out the touring skis if I can find some free time!

Pictures showing the snow in forest rides on 16th:

Great day skiing near Glenmore @ Loch Morlich. Plenty of new snow had fell during the week and there had been quite a few skiers out making for good quality skiing.
Followed by a bacon roll at Glenmore cafe - what could be better.
Beautiful weekend so went for a run on saturday and a quick cycle ride on sunday. Also managed to back a couple of winners on the horse racing and spent a couple of
nights watching Marit Bjoergen winning Gold Medals in Vancouver - a fantastic achievement.
Happy days.

Plenty of Snow in Glenmore Forest

Skier pisted tracks

Looking across Frozen Loch Morlich

Bit of illness & lots of work has curtailed trips recently but the weather has still been pretty good. The weekend of the 9th Jan was superb, lots of snow bitterly cold and we went
skiing all over the weekend at Loch Leven. Path was pisted by many feet and the cross country skiing was scandinavian. Also there was the bonus of seeing a White Tailed Sea Eagle.
Have got out for a run and cycle recently so all being well off north this weekend so will be taking the camera and hope to get some more snowy piccies!.

Holidays 2009

Fantastic weather - bitterly cold with spells of snow right through the holidays. Coldest temperature so far here -10C with many days maximum around or below freezing. Had
around 2 foot of snow here overall. The only downside is that the roads have been quite tricky to negotiate. Been out every day either skiing, walking or running.
Looks like the cold will be here for a while yet - superb!

Aviemore in the snow - what could be better? Went up on Friday afternoon for the weekend and had a great time skiing in the forests around Glenmore. Snowed quite a bit
on Saturday, Sunday was clearer but snow did set in towards lunchtime. Excellent to be out on skis again in really good conditions. Both days started in the very best way
with breakfast at the Glenmore Cafe (watching Red Squirrels and Crested Tits out the window) and ended in the evening with possibly the best Fish suppers in the Happy
Haggis in Aviemore.
Long drive back yesterday down A9 - lots of snow, most of it on road!, poor visibility and average speed about 15mph!- unfortunately people seemed to keep slowing down
on inclines. Anyway - apart from a bit of skidding near Killiecrankie got home ok.

Snow falling at Glenmore

Norwegian Lodge Sign looking - well Norwegian!
Det er veldig spennende!

Our track through forest - now if only
they pisted!

Overlooking Loch Morlich and Northern Cairngorms

Into the hills again!. Went up to Glenshee and had a wander over Glas Maol & Cairn of Claise. Some snow on the tops which was very icy. A beautiful day and great views
over to Cairngorms. Saw a flock of around 40-50 Snow Buntings between the two tops. Quite a bit of snow on the North side of Glas Maol - hopefully the cold spell coming
up over the next week or so will bring some more snow and get the skiing under way here.

07/12/2009

Lots of rain and wind recently, although at least interspersed with colder, sunny days. Have been out running at Loch Leven between showers and went cycling at weekend.
Saw a lot of Pink Footed Geese en route and several Buzzards. Very muddy in parts after recent rains. Cycled past Lucinda Russells Racehorse training centre and watched
a couple of the horses chasing each other round in the paddock.

Week before, went on a trip out with my parents to Aberfeldy. Beautiful day and had some good views of the hills covered in some early snow. Visited a shop (Karelia House)
that sells Finnish Jewellery and also some superb log burning stoves...mmmmm am smitten, think I need to start saving! Stopped at The Watermill in Aberfeldy on the way
back - lovely cafe with lots of books and.....a wood burning stove.

14/11/2009
Been some variable weather recently, lots of cloud and some rain - some beautiful late Autumn days as well though.
Have been running quite a bit recently at Loch Leven. Went for a walk at Moncreiffe Hill a couple of weeks ago - was a lovely sunny day and actually quite
warm in the sun. Nice views from the top of Moredun Hill over Perth.
Away up to Aviemore next week so hopefully some more Pics. In the meantime here a couple from Moncreiffe.

11/10/2009
What a week, all sorts of weather, hillwalking, running and Scotland looking wonderful as ever. Last Saturday (3rd) we had gales and heavy rain. Decided
to abort the planned hill trip. Turned out that was a good idea as reported hill wind speeds reached gusts of 100mph. Stayed near Kinlochleven at the head of the
Loch, just round from Glencoe village. Really nice cosy cottage up on the hillside, but a bit quiet if you like a bit of company or nightlife. Sunday saw a beautiful
sunny day and we went up Stob Coir' an Albannaich & Meall Nan Eun. No problems - stiff uphill climb to start of about 800m and finding the point to drop
off the ridge en route to the second Munro could be difficult in the mist, but not this day. Superb views all round and noticed that the Aonachs had a cover of
snow!.
Monday went up the aforementioned Aonachs, poor visibility and snow on top. almost a winters day. Had a rest day on Tuesday and went to Port Appin, really
nice little Lochside Village with what looked like a fine restaurant although we didnt try it! Went for a walk around the promonotory and had a fantastic view of
two White Tailed Sea Eagles just overhead. Watched them spellbound for ages. Then stopped at a local cafe for coffee and scones. a fine day.
We crossed to Aviemore to Wednesday, staying at High Range Chalets. Not five star but comfortable and in a good spot. Owned by Italians and the restaurant
onsite is, as you might expect, superb and family friendly. Spent the next few days walking and running. Visited the mighty Glenmore cafe great for seeing Red Squirrels
on the feeders and their breakfasts, are without a word of a lie, the best!!!. Popped in to the MacDonald Highland Resort, have never been before and was pleasantly
surprised, shop wasn't all tartanalia and had some good priced Ron Hill running gear. We were so impressed, had a look at their website and have booked two
nights for two of us later in the year for......£59. Yep thats £59, room only of course but you have to admit thats cheap.
Stunning end to the holiday today as we went running at Loch Leven and a huge flock of Pink Feet Geese went right overhead - their calls were amazing. Some
settled on the Loch others in the surrounding fields. There was a report on the BBC recently, link here.

01/10/2009
No exploring last weekend - went to a birthday party, plenty to eat & drink (especially drink!) and slept in the Lavvu in the garden. A great weekend but
no pictures I'm afraid.
Going away this next week to do some hill walking - I see the first snows are forecast on the tops - so hopefully will have some more pictures next week.

19+20/09/2009
Changing of the seasons very much in evidence now. The leaves are beginning to come off the trees and the nights are fair drawing in. This has been bought home
at Loch Leven this weekend. Went running and saw an Osprey over the Loch - on its way South for the Winter. At the same time have seen the first Pink Feet
Geese arriving at the Loch. Numbers can reach about 15000 and are a staggeringly wonderful site during the Winter months.
Starting to get excited at the prospect of the approaching Winter. Will it be cold & snowy......I hope so!!!

18/09/2009
Great start to the day, so decided to go to Glenshee. Lateish start and set off walking at 1210 hrs BST. Went up Cairnwell from the South and reached top at 1255.
By now the great day had turned into a cloudy day -albeit above tops - and a strong wind. Combined with coolish temperature meant it was quite cold at top. Got the
camera out to take some pics but found that for some reason I had taken batteries out and not put them back!!!. Saw the signs going up for the Cairngorms Sportive
this weekend, one of a number of great cycling events in Scotland nowadays...maybe I'll try it next year.Went onto Carn Aosda (2nd munro) then down to road and walked
back to car. Nice to be out and about again so soon after last week.

12/09/2009
Well the forecast was right. Weather settled down last week due to large aprea of high pressure centred over Scotland. A welcome change from previous weeks. Took
the opportunity and went to the hills. Decided to to do Carn Liath & Stob Poite Coire Ardair on the Creag Meagaidh ridge. What can I say... superb day, superb views
truly Scotland looked majestic. Just lay in the sun at the first top and savoured the cheese & pickle sandwiches and one of the mighty Tunnocks Caramel bars. Not too
sure about the selection of Green Tea & Lemon for the flask tho!.
Stopped at the Darjeeling Indian restaurant in Dunkeld on way back - very good. Worth a visit if you are in the area.

The window from slopes of Na Cnapanan

Creag Meagaidh left & Stob Poite Coire Ardair

Ridge to Stob Poite Coire Ardair

Lochan A Choire

Another period of heavy rain and wind Thursday into Friday, quite a bit of flooding across country, particularly bad in Morayshire and parts of Angus and Tayside.
Not a very settled weekend forecast so decided to rest injured leg some more and shop for kit for Lavvu. Went off to Callander to try and pick up some cheap
items from the non top of the range outdoor shops there. Got a couple of self inflating mattresses cheapish so will see how successful they are on next trip. Took
camera for some pics of Callander and all the cheerful tourists in the rain but batteries failed, so you'll just have to imagine it I'm afraid- or you could have a look at this website.

Forecast is better for next weekend so may plan a trip to the hills. Fingers crossed.

Well - what a weekend, wild, wet & windy would sum it up nicely. Some sun on Friday, but then the rain and wind started. Howling most of Friday night but pleased
to report that the Lavvu coped admirably, interesting how much the pole can bend!. Grey and blustery on Saturday, managed to walk along coast. Beautiful.
As you probably know, the beach scenes for the film Local Hero were shot here - great views to the islands of Muck, Eigg, Rum and of course Skye. Beaches are
superb. A lot of the campsites along this stretch were busy - we camped at Gorton Sands which is tucked away and quiet but very nice spot, and within a pleasant walk
to bar.
Saw Great Skua, numerous seals and an Otter was seen by a member of our party.
All things are possible here.

Laavu in Sun!

Eigg

Not much done over weekend, after injury to leg last week, so gentle cycling for me at present. Got soaked on Sunday, rain all day, still good to be out.
Am hoping to head over to the west coast this weekend - have Lavvu will travel. Forecast not brilliant, including gales, so Lavvu may end up on East coast if
I let go. Hope to get some good photos tho - will post them next week.

Just watched Coast on BBC. Travelled over to Norway. Was very unsettling, have been over to Norge several times, sometimes in Summer for walking and often
in Winter for Skiing, and have to say I love it. Was over in January in Sjusjoen and am pining again. Unfortunately, there is no direct boat to Norge now that
DFDS have stopped the Newcastle -Bergen route but am hoping something may be in place over the next couple of years.
In the absence of pictures from Scotland, have popped in a couple form Sjusjoen for your pleasure.

Unsettled morning, went running at Loch Leven. Beautiful location near Kinross, great for cycling, walking, running and even birdwatching - a White Tailed
Sea Eagle was seen here recently. Not a great day, so pictures are older. There is a really nice farm shop nearby called Loch Leven Larder. Bit pricey but
good quality and cafe does some decent food.

Heavy rain most of day here in Perthshire.
by the way - The Lavvu on the home page was purchased from Tamarack Outdoors.

Hillwalking in Glen Stathfarrer, dry early but rain moving in. Never heavy and eased off later in day. Had two cars so no need to walk 6km back down Glen.
Excellent day and a fairly easy four Munros.
Stayed at the Glass Inn Restaurant @ Struy. Rooms not 5 star and only one en-suite BUT nice atmosphere, good beer and EXCELLENT food. The owner/chef
is brilliant and the food (including vegetarian options) top quality.

Can recommend - but hurry as he is hoping to sell soon.

Looking up Jocks Road	Back down Jocks Road
Loch Esk	Looking down to Bachnagairn

Cairn at high point of coffin road	Loch Doilet	One in Five Mmmm Seemed steeper!
Snowy Village	and more snow

Looking across to the Bheithir pair at Ballachulish	Ardgour is on the tip of the penninsular	Bidean Nam Bian
From the Summit looking West	Looking South Jura in the distance	The Ben from the summit

Looking North across the Ochils	Looking back down road	Deeper snow on forest track
Looking North

Bheithir Pair behind Ballachulish	Snow!
Looking across to the Mamores from summit	Looking at Bheithir pair from summit

Watery Cairn	View to Cairngorms - Lairig Ghru the large cleft in the middle.

GlenSherup Reservoir with Tarmangie Hill and Scad Hill behind	Lower Glendevon Reservoir with Stuc A Chroin and Ben Vorlich in the distance
Panorama Glendevon on Right

Various snowy pictures from the forest
	Firth of Forth in the distance

Skis at the ready	Snow in forest
	Ice on Loch Scoly
Turbines	Turbine close up!

Looking North West over Derwentwater en route to High seat	Looking South into Borrowdale
Looking West to Maiden Moor Catbells in foreground with Coledale fells beyond.	Ashness Bridge near Keswick

Looking East from Summit of Sgor Gaoithe	Someone else at the summit	Looking down from summit to Loch Einich
Old bridge over River Dee	River Dee Looking towards Lochnagar	Scots pine forest

Crinan Canal	End of Loch Crinan and edge of Moine Mhor
View West from Dunadd	Beaver Dam
Beaver work!

Bishop's Hill (left) and West Lomond from East Lomond	East Lomond Summit
East Lomond from West Lomond	West Lomond Summit
West Lomond from Bishop's Hill	East Lomond from Bishop's Hill

Path up to Ridge below Ben Lawers	From Ben Lawers Summit looking towards An Stuc & Lochan Nan Cat
Looking over Loch Tay	Looking back to Beinn Ghlas

Old cornice	Looking across to Lochnager from The Stuic
Loch Nan Eun	Ptarmigan - I know its a bit vague but they are honestly!

Luibeg Burn @ Luibeg Bridge	Devils Point & Cairn Toul From Sgor Mor
Carn A Mhaim & Ben Macdui from Sgor Mor	Beinn Bhroatin &Devils Point looking a bit damp from Carn A Mhaim

Ready for the off	the long cycle up
Some of the group steadily climbing	The Munro Compleatist.

Ben More Coigach	Looking West towards Atlantic	Beach @ Mellon Udrigle
Top of Fionn Bheinn	Liathach on left and East end of Beinn Eighe to right

Cycling in Carn A Mhaim in background	Beinn Mheadhoin	Glen Quoich - Lochnager back left
Summit Beinn Bhrac	Beinn Mheadhoin from Beinn Bhrac	Looking back to hills from track back to Derry Lodge

Skiis at the ready	Skiing the snow covered roads	Snow building up in garden
West Lomond Hill	Mute Swans on Loch Leven

view over Creag Leagach from Glas Maol	View West from Glas Maol summit
View back to Glas Maol from Cairn of Claise

Beinn A Ghlo in the distance	Ben Lawers From Aberfeldy - Weem Road
Karelia House

View from Moncrieffe Hill to West Lomond Hill
Perth from Moredun Hill. The River is the Tay and the higher land to the right is the edge of Kinnoull Hill

Buchaille Etive Mor	Ben Starav
View North from Albannaich. Right in the distance with a bit of snow on are the Aonachs and Ben Nevis is to the left of them.	On the Aonachs.