Sunday 9 May 2010

Ben Vorlich

On a rare weekend without children, yesterday the BF and I decided to tackle something a little more challanging on the walking front.








After some debate on the relative merits of Ben Vorlich (south of Loch Earn) or the Tarmachan Ridge (north of Loch Tay) we settled for Ben Vorlich due the the uncertainty over how much snow was still lying further north.

I had hoped to combine this with Stuc a'Chroin (didn't tell him that before we started!) but feeling the effects of the previous night's rioja we settled for just the first peak at 3232ft.









The weather was perfect for walking and the views spectacular.







Looking north we could see Ben Lawers and the Tarmachan Ridge that will be saved for another day.




Looking south, Stuc a'Chroin that we decided was a step too far!














And west gave us views of Ben More and Stobinian in the distance.


































All in all an excellent day out, with the only casualty being a touch of sunburn on BF's rather unprotected scalp!


Just thought I'd add this picture in to show how completely different the scenery was down at the lochside where we parked the car!

13 comments:

CherryPie said...

Those views are stunning. Thank you for sharing them :-)

I really must get back and visit that area again, I had forgotten just how beautiful it is.

Anonymous said...

Well I was on the golf course looking back at Ben Vorlich, which was also a great view, though less strenuous.

Claude said...

Incredible! Great views! It seems so vast...so high...so isolated...Not many trees. And I see a bit of green only on the people's pic. And that deep blue water. Any boating and fishing in those parts? People living in the areas? Is it very far from Edinburg?

Just trying to imagine our Northern far land as compared to yours.

Ruth said...

The views are definitely the incentive to get to the top.
It's probably about 90mins drive from Edinburgh, Claudia. Not really very isolated at all. There are villages at either end of the loch and lots of people fishing along both the north and south shores (in fact it's hard to find anywhere to park as all the spaces are filled by fishermen). its easy for people to reach on a day out. Next trip - at the begining of June - will be to somewhere much more isolated. Planning it already :)

Anonymous said...

That old bald geezer looks knackered. Did you have to slow down to allow him to keep up with your pace?

Claude said...

Thank you for the addition, and your reply, Ruth.
Beautiful tree! I understand much better now that you could be in such an "isolated, fascinating but barren land" on just a week-end outing!!! Looking forward to your next trip.

Ruth said...

Andrew - as you well know, the "old bald geezer" is younger and fitter than me (but he is also balder!)

Ruth said...

Claudia - compared to Canada, Scotland is compact and nothing is very isolated. Our next planned trip is to the furthest North and West you can go on the mainland, and we should be able to drive to our starting point in 4 hours or so. I had a brief trip to Canada a few years ago (Ontario) and was amazed by the scale of the countryside.

Anonymous said...

Would I be lacking in chivalry Ruth, were I to point out that just because a geezer is younger than you does not mean he can't justifiably be described as "old"?

Yes, I probably would be, but chivalry is for Don Quiscottie not Dr Scott.

Ruth said...

"Old" is a state of mind, Andrew....one that neither the "old bald geezer" nor I subscribe to.....which is why we are still yomping up mountains (amoungst other things) at our age :-D

Claude said...

With all due respect, and much good wishes on his birthday, I think that Dr.Scott reached old age at 5. With a wink, and laughter, dear Quiscottie.

Anonymous said...

Ha ha Claudia. How can you know me so well from such a distance? Remarkable. And true. I did mature at a very young age.

And Ruth, all this "Old is a state of mind" stuff... have you told your telomeres? But keep on yomping old girl.

Ruth said...

I think I must have started with unnaturally long ones ;-)