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Scotland 10.3.98 to 12.3.00 - Glenshee & Killin

Between 10th and 12th March 2000, Geoff, Dick, Roy and Ian enjoyed the mountains and Isobell & David's hospitality.

Friday 10.3.00 - Glenshee. The Cairnwell (933m) & Carn a' Gheoidh (975m)

Sitting in the Glenshee ski lodgewatching the high winds and heavy showers, there was some doubt as to whether anyone would venture onto the hills, but a break in the cloud fired the enthusiasm. The route to the Cairnwell followed one of the ski pistes, and showed what a dreadful mess the ski facilities can make of the hills when not hidden in snow. To make things worse, the Cairnwell is topped with an ugly cluster of sheds and masts for mobile phone transmitters. It makes an interesting comparison with the transmitting station on the summit of the Ballon d'Alsace in France, which can be described as having the appearance of a shining Inca temple.

The walk continued over the plateau to Carn a' Gheoidh. The high winds made it difficult to remain upright, but at least they blew occasional gaps in the cloud which enveloped the hills. Mountain hares and ptarmigan were everywhere, and still sported their white winter colours.

By the cellphone transmitter on the summit of the Cairnwell, with the ski slopes below!

Saturday 11.3.00 - Meall nan Tarmachan (1043m)

Starting from the National Trust car park at the foot of Ben Lawers, the east-to-west traverse of Meall nan Tarmachan provides a superb medium-scale ridge walk. There's nothing difficult, but there are some short sections of impressively narrow ridge. Descending from the south-west top leads to a good quarry track back to the car park.

Meall nan Tarmachan from the main (Eastern) peak.	Enjoying Isobell's soup on a summit. Geoff is pointing towards Auchterarder.	On a narrow ridge near the second summit...

...and looking back along Meall nan Tarmachan from the south-west ridge.

Sunday 12.3.00 - Ben Lomond (974m)

Last May, only Matthew and Ian from our group had reached the summit because of perceived time limitations. So this return trip also gave Geoff, Roy and Dick a chance. Well, everyone made it to the top, but the view was not so great. From about a third of the way up, the route was in cloud, and the party didn't stop for very long on the summit!

The cloud-base was about 1000ft and there wasn't a lot to see, but we reached the summit!

Updated 21-05-06