The year started well with an easy local hill on 1 January. There was reasonably good snow-cover and in the New Year sunshine lots of families were out sledging and generally having fun on the hills and in roadside fields.
Click photos to enlarge.
Several good days in snowy conditions followed throughout January and February although it was often the case of doing the same walk with slight variations. We didn't complain for we considered ourselves fortunate to still be fit and healthy and able to get in to the hills as and when we chose.
As winter gave way to spring we weren't inclined to travel further afield but, on a sunny, breezy day in May we drove to Glen Artney for Uamh Beag (Graham and Donald) via the steep slopes of An Beannan.
 |
| Delightful path by the Water of Ruchill |
 |
| Allt Ollach |
 |
Bridge over the Allt Ollach |
 |
| Am Beannan |
7 June - Auchnafree Hill
Having first done this Corbett from the Loch Turret side we set off for a second ascent from Newton Bridge, just beyond the Sma' Glen, to follow the unsightly track through Glen Almond. A small group of cyclists passed but otherwise all was quiet. We stopped to have a look at Clach na Tiompan stone circle, once four stones now only one, and the chambered cairn on the opposite side of the track. The creation of this broad highway through Glen Almond caused considerable damage to the cairn.
At Larichfraskhan we crossed the River Almond and wended our way up the old track which zig-zags over Crom Chreag before gently rising to the top of Auchnafree Hill. In the glen we'd seen curlew, oyster catchers and deer. Now a red kite, hen harrier (possibly) and a buzzard joined the list. We were suspicious about the cause of death of a mountain hare.
Should we cross the easy ground and descend to the glen by the Allt Coire Chultrain and Thiefs (sic) Cave? We decided against it because we could come back and enjoy an ascent by this route and generally explore the area. There is always something new to see, some hidden nook or cranny to visit.
 |
| River Almond |
 |
| The old track over Crom Chreag |
 |
| Near Larichfraskhan |
 |
| Larigfraskhan |
 |
On our way back to Newton Bridge a young dog from Auchnafree followed us despite our best efforts to turn him back. He gamely struggled over cattle grids determined to keep us company all the way to the car. We love dogs and hated trying to chase him away, but were worried that he'd come to grief on the main road at Newton Bridge so we were relieved to meet a local farmer who was gathering his escaped pigs and said he'd return the pooch to the farm. We obviously weren't the only ones making a bid for freedom that day.
17 June
Choinneachain Hill is an easy walk from Auchnafree Hill but we wanted to save it for an ascent from Loch Turret. Though we didn't know of its existence, a small track heads up the hill part-way along the loch but since details of the route are now online, the estate has decided it doesn't want it used by walkers any more. According to a small notice, the track is unsuitable for walkers and has become badly eroded; there are nesting birds which might be disturbed (grouse for shooting, that is) and there's a good hill track, ie bulldozed track. In my view this is simply an attempt by the estate (they are not alone) to dictate where we should walk on the hills: 'we have to give access, so here is the access point' seems to be the message.
The beautiful track we followed is not eroded, is perfectly suitable for walkers, unlikely to get heavy use and sheer delight all the way to the first small cairn. The 'established hill track', ie bulldozed road, is fine for mountain bikes.
 |
| Summit - Lawers hills in distance |
 |
| Lunch cairn (a chambered cairn in fact) |
 |
| Loch Turret and Ben-y-Hone |
22 June - Biorach a' Mheannain
This lovely hill rises at the head of Loch Turret and I suspect it's rarely climbed from the Moine Bheag, but here we were and looking forward to the short steep ascent up the heather and blaeberry-covered slopes. Ben-y-Hone can be readily climbed from Biorach, but we had plans for a third ascent of this Munro at the end of June (more later) to celebrate the 30th anniversary of our 'compleation', so didn't feel guilty about staying put and enjoying the sun while having tea and rolls. It was like a burning cauldron in the glen, and back at the car the large flask of water was very welcome.
 |
| Biorach a’ Mheannain |
 |
| Craggy east face of Ben-y-Hone |
 |
Steeper than it looks - our route up should be obvious |
 |
 |
Reeds cover Lochan Uaine below the Moine Beag. It's been very dry.
