Taking matters into our own hands

OK, so despite numerous phone calls it turns out (through a call to the very helpful planning department on Skye) that there has been no submission to renew the Outline Planning Permission for the plot at Fernilea.
Enough is enough and it is decided that we will apply for detailed planning permission ourselves.  The conversation with the planners is positive and the plot apparently sits within a settlement development area so any proposals to build a new house will be looked on favourably.
Discussions take place with our solicitor, the estate agent and the vendor's solicitor. All agree that we should progress matters this way. The missives will be changed to reflect this. Confirm that the vendor really does want to sell (not sufficiently to apply for PP to be renewed apparently) and decision made!
We have contacted Mary this weekend so finally the exciting bit - of designing our dream house - is about to start. Just need to sign the contract and get the ball rolling.

Meanwhile, we have been exploring the Ochil Hills close to the house over the last few weekends.

We haven't yet made it to Ben Cleuch (highest point) as it has been either too wet, too cloudy or too windy. There are plenty of other hills, glens, woods and reservoirs to seek out.

We have visited Dollar Glen with its Castle Campbell and steeply wooded paths, carrying on along a temporary and pretty wet footpath to the reservoir at Glen Quey.  Managed to stay just below the level of the clouds but the views were non existent.

Castle Campbell from the north side of the Glen. Our route for the day lays behind it at this point.

Last weekend it was a circular walk on decent tracks back of Dumyat which is a great viewpoint  close to Stirling. Good views of the Wallace Memorial, the Campsie Fells and back across the River Forth to Edinburgh in the distance. Unfortunately as we approached the ridge to climb to the summit, down came the clag and not long after, down came the rain.  Lunch in the shelter of some rocks but once again a swift lunch to be sure that we were down off the plateau well before the light faded. This meant re-tracing some of this morning's walk and adding a few miles but we were back to the car just as daylight started to disappear.

Today we considered Ben Cleuch again but the winds, as forecast, were blowing between 30 and 40mph and that was in our back garden. Casualties of the storm included the bird table and a full recycling bin, both blown over. It is also a little on the cool side today. So decided to try Alva Glen - a good choice with the approach via woods and then a steep-sided gorge. Plenty of warnings about being careful but nothing to stop you striding out on a thin plank of wood suspended over a raging torrent. Alva Glen is a beautiful place with the gorge carved out by the Alva Burn which is roaring its way down to the flood plain of the River Devon today. The path crosses the Burn a few times then takes you curving up the hillside until you are high above the white water and can hear but not see it. There are several, very old, benches to perch on and take in the view back along the glen. 

View back along Alva Glen to the flood plain of the River Devon (path on RHS of hill)

We admire the fitness of a young lad and his father who are running up this path then continue at our own pace. As we reach the top they run past us again and decide to go straight up the hill behind us "as it's a nice day!" Consider a descent on a narrow path to the burn which flows through a water-carved tunnel here but decide we have walked far enough and turn back after a few photos of the hills looking lovely in the low autumn light. 

View into the Ochils with our two shadows on the far hillside. Very steep!

As we are making our way back by the raging burn, Gary spots eight or nine people IN the water. Helmets and wetsuits, bright red hands and they appear to be enjoying themselves. Assume they are canyoning and are there voluntarily. Exchange smiles and the odd comment then leave them to their fun.
A further 40 minutes walking brings us back to the car and the five minute drive home. A  short walk but one that has identified some nice looking routes for future walks. 

We have learned: - always take more food than you think you will need; don't under-estimate the steepness of the Ochils, they may only reach 2,000ft but you are starting from sea level; accept that you will be very muddy at the end of the walk; put on gaiters at the beginning of the walk or don't bother; take plenty of extra clothing in a variety of thicknesses; take your walking poles as there will be slippy downs and rocky ups; don't expect a view but have your camera ready as these hills will always surprise you.

Insufficient exercise today to justify wine with dinner tonight so will prepare for the week ahead with a roast dinner and a non-alcoholic cocktail. 


If the forecast is to be believed, this week will see temperatures drop and we could see the first real snow of the winter. Could it be time to buy that snow shovel??

There was a little snow on the tops of the hills on Friday but nothing lasting. The locals up here are convinced it's on its way - and because there has been none so far, when it arrives it will be with a vengeance. We shall see.

Settling in and exploring the area around our new home.

Three weeks in the new job and getting used to the early get ups. Enjoying the short drive to work (5 minutes), have even walked in once (30 minutes). The bike may be out soon! (anticipated to be 12 minutes)
We have had the benefit of two weekends of absolutely glorious weather so took advantage and got out and about. 
There is a reservoir / woodland walk within easy reach of our door. So did that one last Saturday. Good views of the Ochils and reflections in the water.

Then decided to try our first real mountain. Researched and read up on options and went for Ben Venue which is close to Callendar and around 45 minutes drive away. Although less than 2,500ft in height, it is steep and craggy and not a walk in the park. Wary of the reduced light, we were up and off at an early hour on Sunday morning. Drove through the fog which kept clearing and re-forming to give us glimpses of the surrounding hills. Past Loch Vorlich with its early fishermen fishing then parked up in the car park, boots on and we were off.

Ben Vorlich floats above the early morning mists. Looking much higher than 2,500ft.

Warning - for those who might be considering walking in the Scottish hills - beware the bogs. We were ankle deep within 10 minutes and it didn't improve all day. At times it was more like a swamp. I have an irrational fear of disappearing into a bog up to my head - time to meet the fear head on so to speak - and plough on. We tramped our wet feet up ever-steepening slopes and took the direct route up. There were times when I honestly thought we would never see the top but we connected with the main path eventually.

Our reward was the far reaching views, blue skies and a cloud inversion in the valleys. We could see for miles to the west, all of the peaks standing clear against the sky. 

Views west beyond Ben Lomond to the hills of Arran. Cloud inversion over the lochs.

However, the climb had taken its toll on us and after a quick lunch in the sun it was time to descend. A good path although very muddy and slippy with the occasional tricky, rocky bit to keep you alert. We followed a trio down the hill that included a lady with a sight impairment - she put us to shame with the speed of her descent and clearly trusted the guidance and instructions of her companions. Inspiring and amazing.  Eventually the path dropped into the trees, where we encountered vastly reduced light levels and an easy trek back to the car. A quick change into clean, dry clothes (we are learning and always take a change of clothing now) and a slow drive home due to the large number of people on the hills and cars on the A84. Home to a roast dinner and reward of a nice bottle of vino.

Both of us were shattered and very hungry the next day!

I am now back in work mode and getting to know the people and places. Working reasonable hours, plenty to do but no major pressures (yet)

The house is looking more like home; just the garage to sort out and the final few boxes to unpack. We are back in a routine. The house is warm and comfortable and the oven door has been fixed by a man with a hammer.

Our Scottish is coming on nicely - Gary automatically responded to a casual question with an "Aye" today and I find myself saying "aha" quite a lot.  Both mean yes.

Today we walked from Dunblane to Bridge of Allen and back. A nice, if muddy, 6 mile walk alongside the Water of Allen. We like the small town of Bridge of Allen and will return to explore the cafes and shops when we are more respectable in appearance.

Tomorrow an exploration of the Ochil hills is on the cards, weather permitting. (Was told that if I insist on waiting for the weather to permit our walking jaunts, it might never happen) The plan is to walk up one glen, a climb to the highest point then back down through another glen to make a circular walk. If the cloud is on the tops then we will head east to Dollar and walk through the Dollar Glen to another reservior.

Meanwhile we understand that all is progressing well (if slowly) with the purchase of the plot and we wait to hear that planning has been renewed. I believe it is known as "Skye pace" 
Gary is now chasing with weekly phone calls.