The Pentland Hills

(28.4.2013) Scald Law 579m, 3 hours

Scald Law on a lovely, spring like, snowy day. Me and Neil walked up from the car park layby at the A702 just before Silverburn. We headed up to the summit of Scald Law & returned the same way.

Ben Challum

(22.9.2012) Ben Challum, 998m, 5hours 30 min, 10km

Parked on the layby , west side of the A82 just north of the turning for Kirkton Farm. Began the walk by crossing the road and following the Kirkton lane down over the bridge and along the track to the Farm and then past the priory of St Fillan. Left the West Highland way and followed the path uphill and crossed the railway. Picked our route in a NE direction up and around the grassy humps and bog and over the number of fences and stiles.  Followed the fence up the last push with south top. By now the views are beginning to really open up, with a great views back down to Strathfillan and the great peaks of Ben Lui. Headed to the 998 summit before returning the same way. Sunny and cloudy with great views. Only reached the south top as the guy I was with did not want to go any further.

Beinn Dubh (Loch Lomond)

(26.5.2012) Beinn Dubh - Glen Striddle horseshoe, Luss, 657m, 12km, 5 hours

Got the citylink from Edinburgh to Glasgow and then onto Luss. Walked down to the bay at Loch Lomond and then back up where crossed the footbridge, through the kissing gate and headed NW up through a field. Passed through trees and then the ascent continues up the bracken-clad ridge. The ascent levels off briefly climb then continues more steadily up the ridge; eventually a fence climbs up from the left and the path follows it for some distance, crossing to the other side at a stile. A small cairn marks the top of the ridge,Beinn Dubh at 642m, whilst just a short distance further on the head of Loch Lomond comes into view, whilst the mountains of the Arrochar Alps look magnificent. The ridge loses definition in a mass of peaty ground. Headed left SW, above the steep ground of Coire na h-Eanachan to the E then onto the small cairn that marks the highest point of the circuit, a Graham summit at 657 metres with Coire Carlaig to the NW. Had good views of Glen Douglas and down to inverberg at Loch Lomond. Descended SE follow the path past another cairn and across a shallow dip to reach Mid Hill. The route down follows the southeast ridge which is better defined with steep slopes dropping to Glen Striddle on the left side.  Cross the fence at a stile and finally head through a gate in the drystone wall. The minor road up Glen Luss is reached just beyond. Turned left down this road, crossing the bridge over the Striddle Burn. Continue along the road for almost three km back to the start of the walk. Returned to Luss over the A82 footbridge.

My first walk since being diagnosed and I felt okay even though previously I had suffered with bacK pain and vibrations when walking. The weather made the walk.

The Pentland Hills

(28.4.2012) Carnethy Hill 573m, 10km, 4.30 hours

Me and Neil started at the Flotterstone car park and ranger centre. Headed West ascending the ridge onto Turnhouse Hill  and then SW descent and re ascent to the summit of Carnethy Hill. Descended West  around 130m of height to the bealach, again marked by a fence. An old right of way - the Kirk Road. Then North to the Howe before the tarmac road beside Loganlea reservoir. The road runs NE beside the Logan burn to reach the larger Glencorse reservoir and then SE back to Flotterstone.Weather cloudy but clear and rained at Glencourse Reservoir. 

The Pentland Hills

(3.12.2011) Allermuir Hill, 493m,7km, 2 hours

From the Hillend car park, me and neil took a short circular walk in the Pentlands South then SW along the ridge to Caerketton Hill and then Allermuir Hill before returning North and then East. Weather was sunny and cold.

Pico de la Zarza

29.7.2011. Pico de la Zarza (Mount Jandia) 807m 5 hours. 18km. Jandia Peninsula, Jandia National Park (Fuerteventura)

I stayed in Caleta de Fuste and got the first bus to Morro Jable at 9.30 which took 1 hour & 15 mins. The only downside to this was that by the time I hit the summit it was the back of 12 and I felt battered by the sun. I’m sure heat exhaustion began to set in. Occasionally clouds covered the sun, which was very welcome in the 30 degree heat. Followed the signs onto the broad volcanic shoulder and then followed the path before a steep ascent to the summit & an inversion. I returned the same way.

Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond)

(1-2.7.2011) Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond) Wild camp & circular walk from Ardlui. 9km. 7 hours

I made my way along to the start of the walk at Stuckendroin Farm. The plan was to walk up to the SE ridge of Stuc na Nughinn and set up camp but as time wasn’t on my side, not to mention the wind that was picking up, I decided to set up camp on a nice wee flat spot behind some crags. I think I was roughly 450 m high according to the map. It was a calm night and I set my alarm for 4.30 to get a couple of sunrise shots and then back in the warm ten till 8. Breakfast then tent packed up before I set off at 9 with the sun beating down on me. After passing several small knolls, the route reaches the first of the Little Hills, upon which is possibly the best view of the walk, with the whole of Loch Lomond visible. Summit 793 descended to the col at 739 then back up to next summit at 808 before next col at 763 steep descent then re ascent before zig zagging to summit. The next part of the climb involved a steep descent before a re-ascent towards the summit of Ben Vorlich..The final pull to the top of the mountain first ascends surprisingly to the right of a set of crags, with a final section over easier terrain to the trig point at 941m and the true summit, perched on crags, at 943m.  It is a short walk to the North Summit (931m) and then I descended by going NNW to avoid the cliffs at the top of Coire Creagach and then NE down an obvious ridge, to the col of Stob nan Coinnich Bhacain, before dropping into the valley then rough pastureland, back to the shores of Loch Lomond under the railway at Garristuck cottage. Back in Ardlui I made a wee stop at the shop next to the hotel for coke and choc then sat waiting for the train at 17.50.