What a day it was yesterday!! Heading up Beinn Narnain I got some stunning views of The Cobbler. The round trek took me 04:49:31, highest point was 933m, and total distance was 6.84. 1st pic: the view of The Cobbler from the walk from the train station to the start. 2nd pic: the view of The Cobbler from close to the top of Beinn Narnain. 3rd pic: the view looking back as I make my way up Beinn Narnain. 4th pic: Is that Ben Lomond? Let me know please and thank you. 5th pic: The route I took. This trek requires light scrambling, for you to be sure-footed and comfortable with heights as there were times when you’d be walking close to the edge. I was a bit daunted, as this was my first time doing some sort of scrambling, but it wasn’t too difficult as long as you are confident. I had my phone in my hand as I was scrambling up, so that tells you that it wasn’t so difficult. But you do need to be careful of course. I would not want to come down that route. #dantravelsfar #scotland #visitscotland #scotlandiscalling #beautifulscotland #lovescotland #hiddenscotland #thisisscotland #instascotland #explorescotland #scotlandtravel #scotlandshots #scotlandisnow #unlimitedscotland #scotlandexplore #scotlandphotography #scotlandlover #scotlandsbeauty #yourscotland #highlands #scottishhighlands #outdooradventures #walkhighlands #outdooractive_uk #munros #thecobbler #arrochar #arrocharalps #beinnnarnain #scrambling
At the top of Doon Hill is an old pine tree, said to imprison the soul of Reverend Robert Kirk after revealing secrets about the fairy folk in his book: The Secret Commonwealth. One of the things that I got the sense of, was that although most people don’t believe in elves, faunes and fairies, there was definitely an air of respect towards the tree and what it represented as a doorway to the Fairy world. Being disrespectful towards it could bring about bad luck. Pics 1, 2, 3 are of Robert Kirks final resting place, where people have left offerings, which faces Doon Hill. Pics 5, 6, 7, 8 are of the ancient pine. When I visited it, they had removed most of the offerings, so some people were not able to recognise it from the pictures. It is easy to recognise however, as it is at the top of the hill, on its own, and has its own clearing. Its an easy walk for families, 2hr bus from Glasgow to Aberfoyle, and the forest around it is nice and dotted with carvings. #dantravelsfar #scotland #visitscotland #scotlandiscalling #beautifulscotland #lovescotland #hiddenscotland #thisisscotland #instascotland #explorescotland #scotlandtravel #scotlandshots #scotlandisnow #unlimitedscotland #scotlandexplore #scotlandphotography #scotlandlover #scotlandsbeauty #yourscotland #outdooradventures #aberfoyle #doonhill #thesecretcommonwealth #fairies #elves #fairyknowe #pinetree #thegoodfolk #scottishfolkore #scottishfolktales
The Cobbler, 2nd attempt was successful! 891m high, round trek of 7.82mi, which took me 04:32:48, descending past An t-sron. The walk from the station takes about 40mins, depending on how fast you walk. The last time I tried this was after heavy snowfall, and the route up was steep and the staircase hidden. Without snow, the path was very visible and relatively easy to ascend. The pile of stones at the top of the stairs is not the Cobbler, at that point you still have about 30m of ascent left, which doesn’t take long. If you want to descend, then you can do so here or further on. The actual top of The Cobbler is at the top of the rocky outcrop (see 2nd pic), only attempt this if you have actual mountain climbing experience. At the top it is also quite misleading, because there is a really visible path which I followed thinking that was the way down. But then I realised it wasn’t, and the actual path is right next to The Cobbler, and goes underneath it (you can just about make out the path in the 2nd pic). This descent requires light scrambling, so be careful! Not many pictures this week, as you can see the weather was misty. #dantravelsfar #scotland #visitscotland #scotlandiscalling #beautifulscotland #lovescotland #hiddenscotland #thisisscotland #instascotland #explorescotland #scotlandtravel #scotlandshots #scotlandisnow #unlimitedscotland #scotlandexplore #scotlandphotography #scotlandlover #scotlandsbeauty #yourscotland #highlands #scottishhighlands #outdooradventures #walkhighlands #outdooractive_uk #munros #thecobbler #arrochar #arrocharalps #benarthur #scrambling
Ever feel like you are being watched on the mountains? The Big Grey Man (Am Fear Liath Mòr) of Ben Macdhui was obviously on a holiday to Loch Lomond! (see 2nd pic) Whilst coming down Beinn Chaorach (712m), I took this picture of Beinn a Mhanaich (I think it was that one), and when I got home I zoomed in and saw this silhouette. But then a min or two later, it was gone! There are quite a few Scottish myths, legends, and folklore surrounding the Highlands. Which ones have you heard of? FYI, I don’t believe it was The Big Grey Man of Ben Macdhui, Beinn a Mhanaich is an active firing range which was in use on that day, hence the person on the mountain. #dantravelsfar #scotland #visitscotland #scotlandiscalling #beautifulscotland #lovescotland #hiddenscotland #thisisscotland #instascotland #explorescotland #scotlandtravel #scotlandshots #scotlandisnow #unlimitedscotland #scotlandexplore #scotlandlover #scotlandsbeauty #yourscotland #highlands #scottishhighlands #outdooradventures #walkhighlands #outdooractive_uk #BeinnChaorach #lochlomondandtrossachsnationalpark #scottishfolklore #highlandfolklore #scottishfolktales #mythicalcreatures #thebiggreyman
This week’s trek comprises of 3 summits: Auchengaich Hill (512m), Beinn Tharsuinn (654m), and Beinn Chaorach (712m). The round trek took me 04:06:03 at 6.04 mi. (see last pic for route) I started at Ballevoulin (which is actually a farm you walk through) and finished at the Beinn a' Mhanaich Parking area. I think the intention is that you start at the car park and make your way past the Auchengaich Reservoir. The way I came, there is a steep incline up to Auchengaich Hill, but then it gradually inclines to Beinn Chaorach, with a small dip in the middle but nothing too serious. The difficult part was coming down Beinn Chaorach, which was almost vertical, slippery and very tough on the knees. I suppose it makes sense to go up this way as it is dangerous coming down. For the walk towards the car park there is not really a route, and on @outdooractive_uk, the route states that it is incomplete. My advice is not to try to follow the river too closely, but maybe follow it about 100metres away, as the land will be less up-n-down. This set of summits is opposite Beinn a Mhanaich (which I did last week), and this week the firing range was in use, which I could hear. Unfortunately for most of the trek it was misty, so all of my photos were at the end as I was coming down from Beinn Chaorach. I was super excited to see a bird of prey, I have been advised it might be a buzzard!? What do you think? The walk to/from Helensburgh Upper station was 10.3 mi (round trip), and took 3hrs 16mins. #dantravelsfar #scotland #visitscotland #scotlandiscalling #beautifulscotland #lovescotland #hiddenscotland #thisisscotland #instascotland #explorescotland #scotlandtravel #scotlandshots #scotlandisnow #unlimitedscotland #scotlandexplore #scotlandphotography #scotlandlover #scotlandsbeauty #yourscotland #highlands #scottishhighlands #outdooradventures #walkhighlands #outdooractive_uk #munros #AuchengaichHill #BeinnTharsuinn #BeinnChaorach #lochlomondandtrossachsnationalpark #birdofprey
Arriving at the start of the trail for Beinn a Mhanaich, I was surprised to see the area fenced off as a military training ground! The instructions signposted were clear and I was able to proceed with the trek. That's what I like about walking and trekking places, is sometimes you come across something unexpected and it turns your trek into an adventure or story (of sorts). The trek comprises of 3 summits: The Strone (513m), Maol am Fheidh (589m), and Beinn a Mhanaich (710m). The round trek took me 02:39:09 at 5.88 mi. The walk up is not particularly pretty, as the land is dotted with warning signs and fences (which makes sense), but at the top you get beautiful views. The walk from Garelochhead train station is about 2.3 mi (one way), and you need to be careful as most of it is on a fast road with no pavements. #dantravelsfar #scotland #visitscotland #scotlandiscalling #beautifulscotland #lovescotland #hiddenscotland #thisisscotland #instascotland #explorescotland #scotlandtravel #scotlandshots #scotlandisnow #unlimitedscotland #scotlandexplore #scotlandphotography #scotlandlover #scotlandsbeauty #yourscotland #highlands #scottishhighlands #hikingtrails #outdooradventures #walkhighlands #thestrone #maolamfheidh #beinnamhanaich #firingrange #garelochhead #lochlomondandtrossachsnationalpark
Today I slogged it up the muddy path to Misty Law. 510m, 11.87 mi, 05:02:35 (this is for the round trip and includes the walk to and from Lochwinnoch Station). The path, although clearly visible, is very muddy and soggy. The second picture is at the foot of the summit, from which you are about 10-15mins away. For anyone wanting to attempt it, I would advise wellies and walking poles. It is not a difficult trek, but it is made more difficult when your boots are submerged for most of it. #dantravelsfar #scotland #visitscotland #scotlandiscalling #beautifulscotland #lovescotland #hiddenscotland #thisisscotland #instascotland #explorescotland #scotlandtravel #scotlandshots #scotlandisnow #unlimitedscotland #scotlandexplore #scotlandphotography #scotlandlover #scotlandsbeauty #yourscotland #windfarm #highlands #scottishhighlands #mistylaw #lochwinnoch #muddytrails #adventure #hikingtrails #outdooradventures
A visit to @rspb.scotland Lochwinnoch didn't yield many bird sightings. I was quite happy with this picture of a common pheasant though. Others that I saw include: Great Tit, Blue Tit, Cormorant, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Whooper Swan, Great Grey Heron, and Eurasian Coot. No sighting of the rare Smew unfortunately. The second pic is a nest box for Sand Martins, ready for them when they come back from Africa in the Spring. Snowdrops are seen as the first sign of Spring, though every year it feels like they arrive earlier. What flora have you seen growing earlier than usual? #dantravelsfar #scotland #visitscotland #lovescotland #hiddenscotland #thisisscotland #instascotland #explorescotland #scotlandtravel #scotlandshots #scotlandisnow #unlimitedscotland #scotlandexplore #scotlandphotography #scotlandlover #scotspirit #scotlandsbeauty #yourscotland #rspb #RSPBScotlandLochwinnoch #RSPBLochwinnoch #birdsofinstagram #wildlifephotography #scottishwildlife #bbcspringwatch #pheasant #snowdrop #scottishwildlifephotos #scottishwildlifephotography
Yesterday I went for my first winter trek of the year. These are some photos on the way to the small lochen at the foot of The Cobbler. The weather was beautiful but I decided I was not comfortable going up, as the snow was too deep and I had no pickaxe or, to be honest, the know-how to use it. It was good getting out though on such a clear day, and it wasn't even that cold! #dantravelsfar #scotland #visitscotland #lovescotland #hiddenscotland #thisisscotland #instascotland #explorescotland #scotlandtravel #scotlandshots #scottishhighlands #scotlandisnow #unlimitedscotland #scotlandexplore #scotlandphotography #scotlandlover #scotspirit #scotlandsbeauty #yourscotland #thecobbler #arrochar #arrocharalps #benarthur
Feeding time for the Heilan coos 🐂 He monch! #dantravelsfar #scotland #visitscotland #lovescotland #hiddenscotland #thisisscotland #instascotland #explorescotland #scotlandtravel #scotlandshots #scottishhighlands #scotlandisnow #unlimitedscotland #scotlandexplore #scotlandphotography #scotlandlover #scotspirit #scotlandsbeauty #yourscotland #highlandcows #highlandcowsofinstagram #scotlandiscalling #pollokpark #pollokcountrypark
I really enjoyed Stirling Castle 🏰 from which you get some great mountain views and of The William Wallace Monument. Stirling Castle is in a historically strategic location, with it once being considered as the capital of Scotland. Prebook your tickets online to get a slight discount compared to buying at the gate. The William Wallace Monument sits atop a steep hill which you can either walk up or take the free 30 second shuttle bus up and down. You can go into the monument, for a price, there's a small museum and you can go all the way to the top for 360 views. #dantravelsfar #scotland #visitscotland #scotlandiscalling #beautifulscotland #lovescotland #hiddenscotland #thisisscotland #instascotland #explorescotland #scotlandtravel #scotlandshots #scotlandisnow #unlimitedscotland #scotlandexplore #scotlandphotography #scotlandlover #scotlandsbeauty #yourscotland #stirling #williamwallace #wallacemonument #stirlingcastle #scottishforest #windfarm #highlands #scottishhighlands
Sometimes the light is so good that you just have to go for a trek, just to see what the mountain looks like. 🗻🔥 I had arrived at Fort William around midday, and despite knowing I would not get to the top before it went dark, I had to take advantage of the afternoon glow! #dantravelsfar #bennevis #scotland #scotlandiscalling #fortwilliam #scottishhighlands #visitscotland #highlands #ukhikers #getoutside #nevisrange #scotlandhighlands #beautifulscotland #lovescotland #hiddenscotland #thisisscotland #instascotland #explorescotland #scotlandtravel #scotlandshots #scotlandisnow #unlimitedscotland #scotlandexplore #scotlandphotography #scotlandlover #scotlandsbeauty #yourscotland
One thing you will see a lot of, walking the Highland Way in Scotland, are grazing sheep and if you are lucky some Highland cows. #dantravelsfar #scotland #visitscotland #lovescotland #hiddenscotland #thisisscotland #instascotland #explorescotland #scotlandtravel #scotlandshots #scottishhighlands #scotlandisnow #unlimitedscotland #scotlandexplore #highlands #scotlandphotography #scotlandlover #scotspirit #scotlandsbeauty #yourscotland #sheep #highlandcows #highlandcowsofinstagram #scotlandiscalling