More Munros : Beinnglas Farm to Comrie

Munros this section :

Beinn Chabhair
An Caisteal
Ben More (Crianlarich)
Stob Binnein

Lovely weather on top of Ben More.

From camp - basically a random farm in the middle of nowhere - I head straight up the second Munro of the trip, Beinn Chabhair.  Again it is hard work - each ascent so far has been more or less from sea level and it is a long way up.  And of course the weather has turned, there is a howling gale blowing which doesn't help.  I make it to the top, then down to an exposed saddle, it is incredibly windy here too.  I can at least shuck my pack for a relatively easy climb up An Caisteal and back down.  But then I have to face the facts, trying to conquer the other three Munros I planned for today is going to leave me still stuck up here late in the evening in appalling conditions.  I decide discretion is the better part of valour, and still it is a long, long slog back down until I rejoin my route and find a camp spot, in a bog of course.

The Ben Sheann Hotel in Strathyre.

OK, another day, I'm feeling a bit more hopeful, only two Munros planned for today, and an actual hotel room booked this evening, I just need to get to it.  Well, yet another climb up from sea level, this time up Ben More, the ascent is bad enough but the insane wind makes it so much harder, sometimes I can barely stay on my feet.  It's nice to pass a few people coming down, shows this is at least possible, and yes I make it to the top, and a little further on the next, Stob Binnein.  From here there is a long ridge path, would be lovely on a nice day, not so much today.  Then down and some easy road walk to Strathyre, my hotel is nice, though sadly only one of the village's pubs is open, and it has no food.  Ah well, packet pasta in my room it is...

A bit easier than going up and down mountains.

My less than successful Munro campaign continues the next day - looking at the climbing involved I reckon my plan would take 12 or 13 hours, not impossible but I'd have to forgo the hotel breakfast, and indeed I feel a bit broken.  So instead an easier, flat route along cycle paths and minor roads, it is very pleasant especially as the sun is shining again.  I still manage to make it harder by walking off with the hotel room key and not realising for half an hour, ho hum.  Well, I make decent time to Comrie, and a little past it to the 'croft' where I have another real bedroom - the luxury!

Photos to go with this post can be found here.

More Munros : Balloch to Beinnglas Farm

Munros this section :

Ben Lomond

Starting the adventure, in Balloch.

It's adventure time again! It has been a long time... well, the Covid situation in the UK finally seems under control, so I am back, and indeed vaccinated. Travel outside the UK is still dicey, so, Scotland it is... I head for London just as the pubs reopen, time for a beer or two before the overnight bus to Glasgow. 

I'm slightly worried about being turned away from Glasgow, there is some sort of virus hotspot there, but in fact I have no problem quickly transitting to a train, off to Balloch. A nice little place, though I am not staying, I walk straight out, heading for the highlands as of course I am planning to bag some more Munros this trip. Much of this first day is in the lowlands though, it is quite nice to walk through British agricultural country, I've missed it. For most of the day I'm on roads, I do briefly join the West Highland Way, then detour away, before rejoining it for a lovely walk, seven km or so along the banks of Loch Lomond, it certainly is bonny. My campsite is on the lochside too, a beautiful place to stop, I even dip my toes in the water but it is very cold. 

Camped up by Loch Lomond.

Day two, and I keep along Loch Lomond for a little while, keeping to the West Highland Way, before turning uphill for the first Munro of the trip, Ben Lomond. It's a beautiful day for a walk, lovely views of the Loch below me, and fine walking on a well built path right to the top. This was a good idea! Hard work getting up there mind, given I started practically from sea level. On the way down I decide to take a shortcut, first of many I'm sure, yomping down over the bog to rejoin the West Highland Way. Good thing I went a shorter way, I'd expected the Way to be flat along the Loch, but in fact it is a crazy series of up and down. It is past seven by the time I reach camp, still, it has a bar, time for some beer and hearty food, all good.

On top of Ben Lomond.

Photos to go with this post can be found here.