Munros and Other Walks

I parked in a lay by at the shore of Loch Tay not far from Killin to attempt a couple of Munros which always seem to elude me every time I’m around this area of the country. The weather signs were not good as I trampled through a bracken strewn field and jumped three fences to get onto the main farm track. There was a bank of mist hovering a hundred meters higher up obliterating any signs of the hills. I carried along the track to its end near a wee dam, which also served as the base of the Munro Meall Greigh. I could see nothing except mist. Venturing further up I reached a fence which followed the contour of the hill. I followed it knowing that I should use my map and compass. As I ascended the visibility got worse and the track muddier and thoughts turned to the fact I should have stayed at home. After 3 hours of slog I finally reached the top which just amounted to a small cairn surrounded by mist. It was worthwhile although I almost got lost again on the way down when I decided to...

Heading into the mist near Loch Tay, Killin

I took one final trip up to Glenshee for the year, the aim of which was to climb Glas Maol (1068m) and Creag Leacach (987m). I parked at the Glenshee Ski Centre and decided to follow the easier track up amongst the ski paraphernalia which didn’t give much in the way of great views but was a more direct climb to Glas Maol. At around 922m I ascended into the mist and rain which had enveloped the top of the Munro and made the last 150m slightly trickier than it should have been. I made it to the summit in an hour flat. Having checked my bearings I headed in what I thought was the ridge to Creag Leacach, although embarrassingly enough I had in fact wandered in a circle just under the summit of Glas Maol. Undeterred I descended a little to gather my bearings and with Creag Leacach in sight I cut around the side of Glas Maol and followed the old stone wall up, and down and then up again to the summit of this rockier Munro. Only as I ascended Creag Leacach did the sun decide to show itself, a...