20 May - Dunan Bothy

Claggan and Loch Tay

 A misty start to the morning so we drove to Kenmore then along the south side of Loch Tay to Ardtalnaig and up to near Claggan. We’ve been on the hills both sides of the glen so had no incentive to go high and wander in the mist - we’ve had plenty of that recently. The tops did clear around mid-day but we were happy enough to stay low on what is now the Ardtalnaig to Aberfeldy section of the Rob Roy Way. 

Shee of Ardtalnaig (Summit Ciste Buide a’ Claidheimh)

Oyster catchers, a roe deer racing up the slopes of the Shee of Ardtalnaig, a brown and a mountain hare (spotted by Lynne) added interest and pleasure. A gin trap on a log bridging the Allt a’ Chilleine, not so much.

It’s an understatement to describe Dunan as a ‘locked bothy’ so no shelter here in an emergency. That said, when a few feet away you see the remains of an open fire  perhaps you can’t blame the estate. I’ve never seen this before out here but it seems to be becoming common, together with the curse of disposable barbecues.

We found shelter from the cool breeze in the sheepfold near the bothy, had rolls, hot cross buns and tea. An oyster catcher flitted about on a wall. From here the track continues into Glen Almond, a glen well known to us starting from Newton Bridge in the Sma’ Glen.

Distant hills above Glen Almond

Lynne took some better pics but I haven’t transferred them to the phone yet so these will have to do. (Mobile blogging seems much harder than I remember!)