The End - of 2011, Ben Cleuch at last and a topographical survey for Christmas

This is it then; the end of a year of change, including along the way - shock at having to make myself and a good team of people redundant; excitement at selling the house; finding the perfect plot of land on Skye then finding out we could buy the tenancy of the surrounding land too; two visits to the stunningly beautiful Isle of Harris; enjoying not working for almost six months; two trips to the Lake District; experiencing some extremes of weather; finding a new job (even when everything you read and hear says there are none); setting up my own company; moving to Scotland and above all moving towards achieving our dream of building our own house in a beautiful location.

As the title would have you believe, we finally made it to the summit of Ben Cleuch this week.  Tuesday arrived with clear skies and we were off. Good progress to the top of the track where we turned back last week and steeply up to the top of the hill where we had our first view of Ben Cleuch looming above and beyond us. Turning back last week was the right decision; neither of us has realised quite how much further on or up it was. We carried on, sliding over the last remaining patches of icy, hard snow and climbed the last steep bit to reach the summit plateau. What a difference a few hundred feet makes - it was absolutely freezing up there with the wind blowing from the north and the temperature much lower than when we had started out. All layers on, a quick cup of coffee, a couple of photos and we were off back down again. A wonderful view from the top across to the higher hills and mountains, most of them still covered in snow. 

View from summit of Ben Cleuch, slippery old snow encountered on ascent in middle distance

We met several fell runners (totally mad) mostly wiry, older gentlemen apparently enjoying the day. Gloves and hats firmly on for us on the return journey. My recent purchase of "Youth's waterproof, thermal gloves, size L" proving their worth and a bargain at only £18. Hands toasty and dry.

Returned home happy that we had climbed the mountain and planning a different route next time - a circular route that is even steeper on the ups but gives a longer ridge walk to the top. However for the next three days, I'm not sure if the local hills even emerged from the cloud cover.

We did venture out to the Trossachs again to climb Ben A'an. This is a small, perfectly shaped mountain about 45 minutes away. We drove past flooded fields and at one point were almost in the loch. Much more rain or snow and this road would become impassable. As we sat in the car park listening to the torrential rain we couldn't decide whether to get out and go or not. A break in the weather and the shelter of the woods for the first part of the walk decided us, gaiters on and we were off. Up steeply through the forest, across the burn, through the boggy bits and eventually out of the trees to a stunning view across Loch Katrine to Ben Venue (remember that one from 5 November ?) and further afield. 

Ben Venue looking just as steep as I remembered it!

 At this point, the light rain became sleety then wet snow then a full-on snow storm. We carried on as far as the shoulder of the hill then, after talking to others also climbing up, we agreed to continue as the view was promised to be worth it. Despite looking like it would be a scramble to the top, it was just another steep climb. A small child scrambling down told us "it was nice up there"  It turned out to be worth every out of breath moment as we reached the top. Views stretched down over Loch Katrine and across to the Southern Highlands. Very snowy in places with Ben Venue looking unrecognisable covered in snow. 

Ben Venue across Loch Katrine - memories of a very long day here in November

We dodged the blizzards, watched the light play across the loch and took many, many photos. For such a small hill (1,500ft) there were simply stunning views. No wonder the car park is so big. Ate lunch out of the blizzards, sheltered on the east side of the summit.

View east to Ben Ledi - plans to climb this one sometime soon

Then back to the car and a drive home via The Dukes Pass (later closed due to the snow) a scenic winding road that takes you through Aberfoyle and home.

The next day, we received our copy of the topographical survey for the house plot. Very impressed that Richard managed to get to Skye, carry out the survey and get it all done by 27 December. It will be waiting for Mary on her return. Good news!


And so we find ourselves at the end of an interesting 12 months with plenty learned and plenty to look forward to over the next year.

Happy Hogmany to all

Observations on living north of the border & good news at last

First the good news - we have had it confirmed (in writing) that the seller has accepted our revised offer (missives) on the basis of us applying for planning permission. So the missives are concluded and now we have just over five months to submit and hopefully receive detailed planning permission. 

We need the topographical survey report before Mary can get going on the design. Have commissioned the man from Glasgow and he is certain that he can do that before Christmas. Seems a bit unfair to hassle him given the weather of late. The next week or so is set fair (by Scottish winter standards) so we hope he will   a) be able to drive there - landslips and snow permitting and   b) get over the Skye bridge - high winds permitting.

Looks as if January will be busy making key decisions about the house design in order to get the planning permission submitted. Then we wait, hopefully not for too long.

Now for the observations on life almost 10 weeks after moving north.
1: We are in the land of the vertical blinds - rented house included - it seems they are de rigeur!
2: Another favourite is the garden statue, in granite, usually of cute animals or cartoon like people including a bride and groom version - no we are not joining in with this one.
3: Hats - of all shapes and varieties with the key attribute of keeping one's head warm - are the thing. No one goes out without one and the version with ear flaps are the most popular. Gary is searching for a genuine Russian hat complete with fur and a badge.
4: You need a selection of cold weather gear to hand as each day brings a different challenge. Icy rain, snow, gales force winds, ice, more snow. It's amazing the variety required, all of our kit is stashed in the hall at the ready.  
5: People generally are very friendly; I have made friends in the post office queue. They are happy to share their knowledge of the area and particularly keen to recommend good places to eat.
6: It does get dark by around 15.30 to 16.00 at the moment depending on cloudy or clear skies but the payback comes in the summer.  

We have settled in well and are comfortable in our rented house. We have explored most of the glens in the Ochils and are now venturing further afield.
Last weekend we traveled to Aberfoyle and walked high up into the forest where we had glimpses of the snow on the high mountains through the mist and ate our lunch on a sloping bench in the rain. Lovely! A nice visitor centre here too, situated up a winding road high above the town.

Yesterday we headed to Stirling for a spot of shopping. I was so distracted by the view as we drove in that we climbed up to the castle where we could see for miles. The mountains of the Trossachs and further afield were heavy with snow and lit by the sun. It was like being in the Alps.

The sun was out today, Ben Cleuch was on the agenda. We knew the track to take and hit the snowline after an hour's walking (climbing). At the same time as we hit the snowline, we also hit the wind or to be precise, it hit us like a sledgehammer. The temperature had not risen above freezing all day; add in a 20 - 30 mph wind from the north-west and you might be able to get an idea of the wind-chill factor. Suffice to say that all layers were on but, as I had forgotten my windstopper, we decided to turn it around and find somewhere sheltered for lunch. It was just too cold for me to carry on. We tried climbing a smaller hill for the view but the ground was frozen solid with ice and old snow and while we could go up easily, coming back down in one piece may not have been so easy. Turned back again and sat in the lee of the hill for food and hot drinks.

Thinking it may be time to get some training in the use of crampons and ice axes or we might be restricted as to where we can walk during the winter. Sounds quite exciting learning to self-arrest on an icy slope.

Photos from today's walk

View back across the Forth showing the Clackmannanshire Bridge especially for the Radio Two listeners amongst you!

Snowy hills beyond Edinburgh complete with the ubiquitous windfarm

The snowline from today's walk. Hit the snow at around 1,200 ft.

Back home now with a Ragdale treat in the offing this week.  A couple of days to work before the Council closes down for Christmas and we have a few more days off. I have been working for almost eight weeks now with only the weekends off so it will be nice to have a real break.

Fingers crossed that the survey is completed and waiting for Mary when she returns from her cycling jaunt to somewhere hot and sunny (Sri Lanka?)
Keep watching the blog for progress updates and perhaps some house designs in the not too distant future.

And finally, we felt we were letting the side down by not decking out our house with multi-coloured lights, lit up figures and garlands / wreaths so we have compromised and brought out our two fibre optic trees. Not quite up to the standard of the other 11 houses in the close but at least there will be a glimmer of flickering lights of a Christmassy nature in number eight too.