Sunday, 7 September 2014

A three munro weekend

Time for me to get high again. I hit the road in my hired car Saturday morning with munros on my mind. Destination: Loch Tay. Ben Lawers National Nature Reserve.

The walk I chose begins through the forest (that would be the sparse collection of trees in the foreground), then climbing up to the ridge in the distance.


Thankfully there was much to enjoy along the path as my body reminded me that it has been much too long since the last time I was hillwalking.





And just like that, the perspective changes...


Just below the summit of Beinn Ghlas...


The summit of Beinn Ghlas...


Will I ever stop being amazed upon reaching the top of a munro? Based on the reactions of those who also chose these hills today (some who definitely find their way to the hills often), I don't think so. In every direction, hills paint the horizon. Distant lochs twinkling in the light. Beautiful.

Yet as soon as I reached the top, my eyes were immediately drawn to the neighbouring munro - Ben Lawers.


A hop, skip, and a jump later....well, more like a saunter, slow
climb, and more than one deep breath later...the view from the summit of Ben Lawers.



The one just above is looking back towards Beinn Ghlas from Ben Lawers. On the walk back down, a rain cloud came sneaking up from the north.


Perfect day. I stayed in the lovely Wester Caputh Steading Hostel. As I poured over the maps to plan the next day, I decided to just head back to the Ben Lawers Nature Reserve to walk up a hill on the other side of the glen. This the view along the way up Meall nan Tarmachan.


With 12 days until the Scottish Independence Referendum, it was no surprise to see folks displaying their support and Scottish flags being waved from the summits.

'Yes' signs and Scottish flags were a common sight on my drive. It does seem a bit unfair. 'Yes' is such a positive slogan. Whereas it is hard for 'No' to shed its negative tone. So what do the 'No' signs say? 'No thanks'.

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