An Stuc and Meall Garbh
The weather forecast for Friday the 23rd November looked good, so I just had to get out into the hills. My destination for the day was to be Shee of Ardtalnaig [NN729351, 759m] on the southern side of Loch Tay.
The journey to and from the hill took a lot longer than anticipated since the road running south of Loch Tay was closed between 9:00 - 11:00 and 1:30 - 3:30, so ended up having to drive back to Killin and take the much longer route via the northern road (A827) and Kenmore.
It was very cold as I drove up a narrow and icy road, and the car showed -3C, so the hill top was going to feel a lot colder. I parked the car near a cottage and started out about an hour later than I intended to because of the detour.
I parked the car near the farm at Claggan and made my way through the farm with lots of dogs, Labs, Terrier and Border Collies barking their heads off, you do not get to sneak into that places in a hurry. If the dogs do not get you then the hens and the pet lamb would!
At the start of the walk you follow a stalkers' path up on to the hill, then walk up along the ridge through peak hags. As everything was frozen it made for easy walking.
I sat on the summit and watched what I think was an eagle soaring on the thermals, just brilliant. Sandwiches with views of eagles, snow covered hills and silence.
I had intended to walk off the back of the hill and drop down into the glen but as I started the walk later than I had hoped to, I returned the way I came up and disturbed a mountain hare in full white winter coat, a couple of grouse and some deer. Walking on your own means you make less noise and can get quite close to things. Anyway if I had walked through the glen I would not have had the great views of the snow covered hills as I descended.
Going home I had to go back via Kenmore, and decided that rather than head all the way back to Killin that I would head straight for the A9. Unfortunately I managed to miss the turn at Aberfeldy and ended up in Pitlochry :(
That aside, is was just a super day.
