Over The Hill

The hills and mountains around Loch Tay are a paradise for walkers. To the south lie the less frequented rolling grassy peat hills including a couple of fine Corbetts; to the north the popular Lawers Range with a total of eight Munros, six of which have summits exceeding 1000m. A paradise indeed. June 2021 was my last visit to this paradise, time for yet another with Beinn Ghlas the chosen one.

In glorious clear blue skies and a fair breeze we set off from the National Trust car park and followed the fine path that leads into the expanse of the Ben Lawers National Nature Reserve with our objective, Beinn Ghlas looking deceptively close ahead of us. On through the small woodland reserve, in which the trees and shrubs are certainly well embedded and maturing as the years go by since they were first planted, and out onto the open hillside with the first decision of the day as we approach the boulder stone defining the path junction, clockwise or anti-clockwise circuit. An easy one really, the slight breeze in the car park could now be described as a fairly strong wind blowing from the north over the 860m bealach and straight down the Burn of Edramucky which would be head on should we go clockwise around, also, a clockwise circuit would mean a descent down the south ridge of Beinn Ghlas, which although steep, I would rather use for the ascent, as did Ian. So anti-clockwise it was.

There are no route finding problems on Beinn Ghlas as the narrow, but well worn, stoney path winds its way up the hillside in short zig zags which lessen the effort a little on the steeper sections. On a fine day as today, with clear blue skies the views soon open up over Loch Tay with the Crianlarich and Loch Earn hills breaking the skyline; a fine day for visibility, but that north wind was beginning to test us. Initially we had hoped that once on the south ridge we would be a little more sheltered, however, it was not to be, in fact the wind just got stronger as we gained height, so much so that any small crag or boulder offering a modicum of shelter seemed to have a walker or two hunkered down behind it for a moments respite from the wind. As we also did on more than one occasion.

We did however, plod on and gained the summit which, despite the weather, tiredness or whatever else a mountain throws at you, invariably sparks that adrenaline rush which immediately overcomes all else and makes every effort it has taken fade into insignificance. The best feeling there is, wonderful. Taking a few steps to the east of the summit we found ourselves in a calm, sheltered spot and settled down out of the wind and in glorious sunshine for a leisurely lunch, and a chat with a few fellow walkers with only one topic of conversation – the wind!

We reluctantly “stuck our heads above the parapet” and back into the wind as we descended to the bealach at the base of Ben Lawers where we made the decision that we would forego the option to continue on up Ben Lawers as the wind was now verging on very strong, prudence was called for, Lawers would be there for another day. Therefore, we reversed course and took to the fine path which gently descends from the base of Ben Lawers and contours below Beinn Ghlas towards the 860m bealach between Beinn Ghlas and Meall Corranaich, now with the wind on our backs making progress that much easier. Over the stoney bealach and onto the much gentler slope of the path above the Burn of Edramucky made for a very easy and leisurely return to the small nature reserve and onwards to complete yet another wonderful day in the hills.

Thanks Ian, a great day.