Progress continues & Crofting news!

A quick update from a wet, windy and storm-bound Scotland. 
Today it got dark at 14.30. Winter is truly here. 

Luckily, to dispel some of the gloom, we received a progress update along with the most recent invoice yesterday. 

Photos not very exciting so I have resisted the temptation to post pictures of the plumbing fittings, the hot water tank, the air source heat pump and boxes of bathroom fittings. Suffice to say they are on site and may well have been fitted by now. Things seem to be moving quite fast at the moment but we know there will be a slowing down to a full stop in the next week when everything is battened down and wrapped up for the Christmas and hogmany break. 

Here are the photos which excited us and hopefully will give you some idea of progress. 

Exterior with drive area getting cleared

The scaffolding is all but gone. The blue container is where the garage would have been if we could have afforded one. Who knows what might happen in the future? In the meantime this will be the parking area.

Wonderful window

This corner window is in the dining area and looks over the copse on the croft and through to the loch. Those trees will need some thinning. Very clever design with no support just wrap around glass. We love it.  

Neil (architect) surveys the lounge from the mezzanine area

 The lounge and other rooms are really starting to take shape now. Plasterboard mostly fitted, underfloor heating fitted and being tested. Not long before the painting can start. 

Hallway taking shape. Looking towards the storm porch door. 

 A beautiful oak door plus panel will be fitted into this space to create the inner hallway. The boarding is off the glass roof panes and you can just start to see how light will flood into this area. The hall looks huge! Time to start thinking about what furniture will fit where. Pictures, mirrors, bits and pieces we haven't seen for more than two years. How exciting is that?

It has been just as wild on Skye in recent weeks and the house appears to be standing up well to the constant battering of the wind and rains. 

In Crofting news - we have heard (finally) that the Crofters Commission have agreed to the assignation of the croft. Which means that as long as there are no objections by the 20th January 2014, the land will be ours to lease.  Well, that's only taken 20 months then. Gary will now be an official Crofter. Looking forward to putting that down when asked for job / profession. We owe thanks to a couple of organisations that helped us in replying to the final list of questions about what we were going to do with the land. We have said that neighbours can graze their stock on the croftland - fine by us but hope they realise just how steep and overgrown it is. 

We have managed to get out once in the last three weekends. Winter weather of the stormy kind continues. Not cold or snowy but too wild to venture too close to trees, rivers or exposed hillsides. 

We are heading to Skye again the second weekend in January and managed to get a good deal at the Duisdale Hotel for two nights. Very posh hotel with fine dining and cosy public spaces. Can't wait, although the real draw is a day's walking somewhere on the island and a site visit on the Monday. Tiles, kitchen, floors all chosen. Plenty of measuring to be done and imagining where furniture will be sited. Plenty of photos to follow. 

Until then. Happy Christmas and not long before we can share all of those pics.  

Heading to Wales for a few days over the festive period so watch out for pics and tales of a Welsh Christmas. 

Half way mark

This was it then, the visit to see the house not just imagine it from a photograph. 
Away from work at 14.00 on Friday afternoon and we hit the road not long after. Travelled through sunshine and rain showers with views of the first real snow of the winter on the high tops. Got through Glen Coe in daylight but it was dark by the time we were in Fort William. 
There were a few nervous drivers out and about - unable to travel at more than 35mph becasue it was dark. By the time we reached Glen Shiel it was raining too. The burns and waterfalls were in full spate after several days of heavy rain. We just caught glimpses as we drove past. Over the bridge and on through Carbost. As we drove through Fernilea towards our B&B we had our first sight of our house, lit warm and red from the heaters that are being used to dry it out. 

We stayed at The Rowans which is a B&B with a difference. A small kitchen, large bedroom and bathroom. Many goodies provided for breakfast and a packed lunch and all at a very competitive price. Settled in for a good night's sleep. 

Saturday's weather was heavy rain followed by heavy rain so we drove past the house (builders working on a Saturday) and headed for Glen Brittle. No mountains today but a wet walk along the coast, crossing some interesting rivers and visiting waterfalls that were stunning. Not many people out today. Lunch in the car then drove up past the "Old Man"  to a viewpoint with no view today. No pics as it was too wet to get the camera out of the bag.

Dinner at the Old Inn then back to The Rowans. 

On Sunday we travelled north past the house again and headed to the westernmost point on Skye, Neist Point. We planned to spend an hour or so here but it was so glorious that we stayed for almost three. Views to the Outer \Hebrides, rolling blue seas, storms out to sea, rainbows and that glorious November light that is golden and an old lighthouse, cottages and a retired jetty. We climbed the hill in the photo below on the way back - a very steep & sheer drop from the top into the sea. Quite breezy too but off the sea rather than into it.

Neist point from the car park. Lighthouse beyond the hill.

 

 

 

 

 

Lighthouse, cottages and obsolete foghorn. Harris in the distance

The sign at the top of the path said you could stay at the lighthouse cottages, B&B apparently with a "double kitchen" Not sure how this would work. Staying here would involve carrying everything you required for your stay down one steep path, up an even steeper hill and down again. (There was a winch for the first downhill bit - for your stuff not you) There was no obvious sign of recent occupation when we reached the buildings.  

Double rainbow across the bay to a very high headland

Turquoise seas, stormy skies

If you ever visit Skye you simply have to drive along the miles of single track road to reach this place. It is special and completely different to anywhere else on the island. We had lingered so long that we ran out of time to visit the coral beaches. Will save those for another day. 
Enjoyed the drive back to Portnalong and played spot our new house from the opposite side of the loch. It was hidden by trees but we did identify our neighbours. 

Dinner at the Rowans tonight; a two course dinner delivered to your kitchen at a time to suit you. Perfect. 

Then it was Monday and time to see the house. A beautiful autumn day with blue skies and fantastic light to set the house off nicely in its setting. We arrived a bit early and headed down the access road. Met the site foreman, Sandy, and one of his crew - all busy at work which was good to see.
You can see from the pictures how much has progressed since we were here to view a flattened space in the croft back in July. Walls, roof, windows, electricity and water connections. Interior walls being created and insulated, mezzanine level taking shape and many decision required about bathrooms, kitchen, finishes and fixtures. Some decisions will depend on the cost of changes to the bathrooms and how much is left in the budget after that. 

Courtyard between dining area and lounge

View

Mezzanine area well on its way

Front entrance and connecting corridor

House in its setting - getting there

It was very exciting to wander around the half built house, trying to imagine where bits of furniture would fit. The view from the living space, main bedroom and mezzanine were exactly as planned although the removal of a neighbour's tree would improve things a little. 

Called in to the builders yard on the way home to meet the people we have emailed and spoken to on the phone then headed back via Loch Carron, Inverness and the A9. Arrived home around 19.30 after a wonderful weekend away and full of plans for the finer details of the house. We will return in early January and expect to see much progress then. Seeking a good deal in a nice hotel for that one!
  

Lawyers & Schiehallion captured

There were two weeks between them but we reached the top of both of these Munros this month and threw in Beinn Glas for good measure. 

Ben Lawyers - Sunday 29 September

A very early start for us to drive out past Killin and to the car park at Ben Lawyers nature reserve. Donate and display £2 all day. Bargain. 
Arrived in the car park at 07.45 but we were not the first. A couple of vans had clearly been parked up overnight and one couple (? Dutch) had pitched their tent in the car park. We think we woke them up but they were nice & friendly. Apparently the stars had been amazing the night before. 

We enjoyed the glorious early morning light and more than enough wind to keep any suggestion of midges at bay. The last time we visited here, we couldn't move for midges. 

Off up through the nature reserve and gently up the hill. Decided we would stop on the first top for breakfast. However the wind grew much more wild as we gained height and the cloud came pouring over the top of the hill. There was no shelter so we carried on. The ridge was like one of those time lapse movies where the cloud was being blown through at such speed that it seemed to have been speeded up. 

It was also getting much cooler. The path was clear though so we continued onwards and upwards. Eventually we found a (relatively) sheltered spot and had a quick breakfast. We were passed by the first walker we had seen so far, accompanied by his nervous collie dog. By this time the wind was so strong that I was having trouble standing up and putting one leg in front of the other. We knew there was a ridge between the two Munros so decided to reach the top of the first one and decide if we went on or not. 

The wind kept on blowing stronger and colder and we eventually reached the very small cairn on the top of Beinn Glas. This summit is 1,100m high and as we made it to the top, the wind dropped and it felt warmer. Weird but true. We carried on along the ridge but any chance of a view was long gone. 

We dropped quite some height - I suppose you have to if you are going to climb two Munros as the drop in height is what qualifies them as Munros - and reached the bealach and a cairn that marked the alternative return route. We could feel Ben Lawyers looming to our right and occasionally caught a glimpse of the final slopes. Up we went on a good path over stones, rocks and mud, arriving at the summit quite quickly. It was freezing and windy up here but we hung around for a while hoping the cloud might clear and we would have some views. Nope, this wasn't happening today. By now, the crowds of people who had set off at a resonable time had started to catch us up and were arriving at the top. We took a couple of pictures then turned around. 

As we returned to the bealach, complete with a really cute lochan, we could see what looked like crowds of people coming along the ridge from Beinn Glas.  Although happy to pass the time of day with anyone we meet, the thought of many "how far is it" and other comments decided us on the alternate return path. This wound along the hillside under the risge, avoided the climb back up and was protected from the wind. All good. 

We made such good time that we had our lunch back at the car. Previous attempts at Lawyers resulted in a retreat from the car park, fighting off the midges as we went. Still quite windy so no such problem today. Clean clothes changed into and we were home by 15.00. Lovely. 

Shiehallion - Saturday 12 October

Another early rise as the weather looked promising and we know the mountain was popular and the car park got busy quickly. Awake at 05.00; coffee and out before 06.00. Arrived at the car park at 07.45. When we left Alloa the sky was clear with hindreds of stars twinkLing at us. As we hit the A9 north of Perth, we met cloud banks and fog. Fingers crossed it would burn off. 

As we climbed the hill out of Aberfeldy, the blue sky appeared and one of the best days on the hills was on. We were the second car in the car park. It was -3 and there was a hard frost. We could see the sun creeping across the hill higher up, a golden light that promised a beautiful day. We followed another John Muir Trust path with a good surface and thoughful steps when it got steeper. There was a breeze but not too much. Once we hit the sunshine, the gloves and hats were removed and as we climbed higher, the views were wonderful. 

Cloud inversion

Towards the Cairngorms - first of the winter snows

Cloud inversions with the valleys and lochs completely buried under white cloud. Made it almost to the first top and stopped for breakfast. Here we met the first walkers of the day and had a chat as they passed us. We reached the first top and here the path deteriorated into a rocky, find your own way, route. Some rocks and boulders were quite unstable so care required as to where you placed your feet. The actual summit was over two more tops then along a narrowing rocky ridge but we reached it by 10.15. Windy up here but from the east so easy to sit on a great slab of rock on the west side and enjoy the sun. 

View from summit across Rannoch Moor to Glen Coe and beyond

Across Loch Rannoch

I truly believe that all of Scotland's mountains could be seen from the summit. We sat there for ages identifying different mountains and enjoying the views and the silence. (The first group had packed up and started down although we did take their photo for them first) We could hear the noise of the rut. The autumn mating ritual of the stags. Couldn't see them but what a sound - a bit like a distant chainsaw. 

Other groups arrived shortly after that and we chatted and took more photos for them. One group was on an office outing (celebrating 125 years) and put on high vis jackets for the photos and carried their office mascot. An inflatable salamander.   

We headed reluctantly back down, passing more people than live in Alloa! It was as busy as we had expected so we were even more glad to have been up with the lark.

View back to summit in the far distance across the boulder fields

 A final coffee / lunch stop overlooking the forest and we were back at the car before 14.00.  Truly one of the best days in the hills even though it was a straight up and down.  

Site visit from Skye to follow very shortly. 

A week in Assynt & September progress report

This should have been two posts but the beautifully crafted post about our week in Assynt disappeared after much sweating over text and photos. So hacked off that I couldn't be **#ed to rewrite it all.
So I have amalgamated the two posts and you have a summary of a fantastic week in Assynt in early September plus the latest from site. 

ASSYNT
 
What a week of contrasts and what a beautiful part of Scotland / the UK.

Travelled up a reasonably fast flowing A9 without mishap or hold up and headed towards Ullapool and the NW coast. Venturing into uncharted territory here as we have only visited Ullapool briefly before when disembarking the ferry from Lewis two years ago. 

So through Ullapool and up a long hill until the NW coast of Coigach and Assynt opens up before you. It was sunny and even warm. We still had an hour's driving before we were in Lochinver then on a single track road to Inverkirkaig - which has around 12 houses scattered around a large bay. 

Inverkirkaig bay on a beautiful evening

We had managed to find a week's accommodation in an upside down house with views out over the bay. This was nicely furnished with most of what we needed for a week's rest and relaxation.

Sunday - decided to try for a local walk to the summit of one of the Quinag peaks. Set off bright and early on a gorgeous autumn day.  Found the car park and set off up the very nice (John Muir Trust) path through limestone pavements and peat. We were easily caught and passed by a couple of groups - one old and one young. Settled on a spot with a view for coffee then carried on up and up and up.  

Route for the day from coffee spot - yes this is Scotland. Look at that sky!

Eventually reached a little bit of down but only to go up rather more steeply. This part of the climb was sandy and would be slippy in the wet but we trudged up to reach the summit cairn and views for miles around. All of the classic Assynt hills in view with distant views to the Torridan hills and over to Skye. (We waved to our new hoose)

From the summit of the pointy peak in the previous photo.

Ridge ahead and view back to Lochinver (at the end of the loch on the left)

We could see the way ahead and what looked like a narrow ridge to continue the walk. Down we climbed - a bit of a scramble but nothing too taxing. At the bottom of the scramble was the perfect lunch spot beside a lochan and protected from the wind but breezy enough for no midges (The mighty MIDGE was to be a recurring theme for the week)  
After a decent lunch stop it was up again and over the innocent looking slope in front of us.

Post lunch climb - looks innocent enough

From the top there was a great view to Lochinver and the coast. 

The downside was the very steep and rocky scramble required to reach the bealach and the turnaround point. We managed fine but felt quite sorry for the two ladies scrambling their way up to reverse our route. 

Found the wet path back to the car and reflected on a very good first day in the Assynt hills. 
A quick stop at the ruined Ardvreck castle for some photos and to offer ourselves up as a midge supper then home for a well-deserved rest. 

Ardveck castle, Quinag in the background. Midges not visible but they were there in swarms

Reflections on a great day out

Monday

Stac Pollaidh (Stack Polly) had to be done. Classic hill, sharp pointy rocks; short walk of c3 miles but so very steep. A long drive along single track roads to get to the large car park, plenty of visitors including many German and Dutch. This is a hill that is climbed by all and sundry as it so recognizable. There is a very good path circling the mountain. Steep start through ferns, gorse and, of course, midges. Most people went to the right so we headed left. 

Stac Pollaidh - STEEP

 We knew that we were on our last day of good weather for a while so we made the most of the position of this hill and the views from the top. Took our time getting to the top and hung around for ages when we reached the summit. The left summit in the photo above is the terrain of climbers only so we had out lunch on the poking out bit on the right. Although the wind was increasing as the weather changed, the summit was strangely sheltered and warm. 

Climbers only please

Assynt - a world of water and weirdly shaped hills. Suilven looming in the distance

Back towards Lochinver and towards the Outer Hebrides

 

 

 

A last look up before we returned to the car

Back to Inverkirkaig and plans for a couple of wet days. 

Tuesday  

Drove the coast road from Lochinver to Kylesku. 16 miles and many hours due to the very steep and thin roads but also the need to stop and enjoy the white sand beaches, views and candle and teashop in Drumbeg. There was also the only shop for miles here. Weather behaving as promised with low cloud, wind and misty rain. Enjoyed the day but had enough of the road by the time we returned to the main road. 

Wednesday

Wet, wet, wet so we walked from the door to the "local" waterfall. Signs warned of steep drops and keeping children and dogs under control. A good path which did indeed end with an almost sheer drop to the pool beneath the waterfall. But no railings or steps or safety features - you had been warned and are expected to take responsibility for your own actions and safety. I love this about Scotland. We slid and slithered down half way but decided that was us for today. We met a few hardy souls but not many were out in the driving misty rain. We got very wet due to the wet grasses and ferns and the rain being driven up the waterproof trousers. Glad to return to the house and a hot shower. 

Thursday

Up early to beat the promised rain and walked to another waterfall. Used a very good stalkers track to get to the top of the hill. Enjoyed a good walk and the fresh air and exchanged pleasantries with a party from the "big house" who were taking two pony loads of stuff up the hill; including two guns. Made it back to Kylesku for a fantastic pub lunch just in time for the rain to arrive in bucket loads.

Friday

Weather looked OK so decided to head for Ben More Assynt, the area's only Munro. This entailed a long walk in on a good track. Eventually we reached the turn off for the mountain proper which was over and around very wet peat hags. Not happy with this bit, steeply uphill, wet, slippy and shaky ground. Eventually got out of the peat onto a rockier path but the top of the hill had disappeared into thick clouds. Although we had a map and GPS we had read that the path was tricky to follow through the quartz rocks higher up. Took a few moments to consider the situation then a heavy rain shower made the decision for us. We would return to Ben More Assynt another day. Back down we went, with an easier route through the hags. 

Stopped for lunch in what looked like a breezy spot and encountered our worst ever MIDGE attack. Covered in them, flying everywhere and in everything. Ate very quickly then took a detour to visit the underground river and caves - a spooky experience - then made our way back to the car and home. 

Back to Quinag from the route to BMA. Low cloud and not very good views today.

Saturday

Travelled back via Aviemore and TISO at Perth for brunch and shopping. Both successful and I am now the proud owner of a new (bigger) rucksack which will be great for the winter. Black but with bright pink bits (designed for ladies - why does it have to have pink on it???)

Other highlights: Persuading a bat that outside was better than in. No idea how it got in but it took a lot of persuading to leave! Deer in the garden and the setting sun lighting a rockface from the lounge window; stars by the thousand from the balcony; a new perspective on elderly Swiss gentlemen - relieving themselves against a rockface at the side of the A83 - bizarre. 

A great week with plenty to go back for. A unique part of the world that deserves more time.

 

Back to work for a week then time off for Marie and John to visit. A busy few days where we covered several attractions locally. The Falkirk wheel, the Ochils, Wallace Monument, St Andrews, shopping in Glasgow, Falkland (Lomond hills) and lunch at the Sheriffmuir Inn.  Nice to catch up and we dropped them off at Edinburgh airport so they could continue their UK tour with the South of England later that week. 

Last weekend was Ben Lawyers revisited (report to follow)

Then this week the site reports and progress sign off (invoices) arrived in a neat line. 

Update: walls insulated, floors done, roof battened, larch cladding arriving, windows in the builder's yard. It looks like a house - quite a big house!

Poor quality photos as they are from a phone camera. Still they show progress and the second one reminds we why I am carrying on working. It is the Mezzanine level taking shape. 

House, builder and portaloo

Taking shape nicely. I have a feeling that this space will be well used. Mountain views from that window in the gable end.

So that's it - six weeks in one blog entry. 

We are heading over to Skye the first weekend in November to visit the house, the builder and the architect. We will be choosing tiles, flooring, interior doors and designing the showers as we want them.  

Report and many photos to follow. Ian and Jacqueline are visiting in a couple of weeks then the clocks go back and we are off to Skye. Staying in Portnalong, just up the road. Can't wait - but I'll have to. Till then ....... unless there is other news. There will also be the Lawyers walk report when my fingers are ready to write some more.

 

How much? How high? and How far?

Three questions that have taxed us this month!

How much - QS report arrived yesterday (Monday) He had signed off work valued at much more than we expected to be paying out. But.... when we read his report that was because the lovely builders had completed much more work than we had anticipated. Therefore, happy to pay up once we receive sign off from Dualchas and the invoice from the builder. Now we just have to move the cash around and make ready to transfer (another story in itself; bless The Coventry)

So progress report is: Lots of concrete poured, timber frame on site and fitted, roof beams in place, some underfloor heating pipes laid, all trenches complete and a whole host of other things well under way. And no problems to report this month. 

So here we have the house as at 2.9.13.

A true Misty Isle day but with the added bonus of a house taking shape

A similar view with added builder!  Looking at the lounge and guest bathroom

This is our dining area, nice to see the steelwork and window frames

Just happen to be visiting the north west of Scotland next week so perhaps a visit is in order. If so, expect plenty of photos.   

Between posts, we have been hitting the hills hard. Getting properly hill fit again. 

The first week in August we managed to "do" Ben Vorlich and Stuc a Chroin as threatened. This little jaunt led to the second part of the title. How far and How high???

The plan was to summit both Munros which we did but it was hard work. Decided to visit Stuc first as we thought if we did Vorlich first we might not have  the will[power to carry on. Walked via the normal path and a boggy path above the glen to arrive at the bealach between the two mountains. Ahead of us was the huge lump of rock known as the Prow. had our breakfast looking at it and watching several other walkers attempt to find a way up and over. We spied a path up a gully that looked OK and watch another group go up this. Very steep and a bit unstable in places but we managed it. Two summit cairns to visit and stunning views. 

View across to Lawyers range

Back to Vorlich - we have to climb that next!

View back to Vorlich, showing the Prow which we avoided

Back across the summit, afternoon weather gathering to rain on us.

Quite sunny at this point in the day. Stopped for photos at the summit then came back down the same gully.  No wind in the gully so very hot. I stopped to remove my coat and my rucksack took on a life of its own and headed off down the gully. Luckily it took the path! and ended up on a corner further down rather than on a cliff or ledge with no loss of car keys, water bottles, cash etc. Plenty of mud and muck but no lasting damage.

Set off back up the path to Ben Vorlich from the bealach. When you have already climbed to 975m then descended to 700m, a further 285m of steep climbing was a real test for the legs and the mind! Lunch half way up helped and we were soon back at the summit where we had stood a few weeks ago. The return walk down was busy, never ending and wet as the rain arrived. Back at the car after 8 hours of walking. Very tired the next day but still able to move around (just)    

The next weekend was local Ochils walks, testing as always, then we did the reverse route on Ben Lomond to our trip there last year. Up the tourist route and intrepididly down the ptarmigan ridge. Yet another steep downhill finish through ferns, grasses, thorns and with heat and no air. Did I mention the mighty midge? Smidge on arms and legs but they had a feast around my hairline, ears and forehead. Very lumpy and bumpy the next day, not to mention itchy. Enjoyed a peaceful drink lochside before heading home.    

Ochils again this weekend, twice in two days. Including a frontal assault on Dumyat which was interesting and quite challenging in parts. 

Happy to report improved fitness levels that should last through the winter and very happy to report such good progress on the house. 

First snow of the year on the high mountains this weekend just gone. very cool once you climb higher than 750m. Winter gear back in the bags. 

Watch out for photos of the NW highlands and the house after next week's break.        

Scottish Rain Forest (Ben Venue) & Progress report

First off the good news - the build is more than on, it's rising from the ground. 
We have waited almost six weeks for the latest update. Even architects and builders have to take a holiday. The builders have been on site though and the weather has been relatively good so much progress has been made. 

Today we received our second valuation certificate and bill. Never been so pleased to see a demand for money!

So the road is 60%, site clearance 80%, foundations dug and metal struts arriving and being fixed for the mezzanine level. 

Temporary access road plus a number of diggers hard at work

The framework for the mezzanine level, which will be above our bedroom

One small matter that we had to resolve at the end of last week. A slight issue with the measurement / placing of the foundations. 300mm error. Once we had considered the impact and looked at a sketch of what it actually meant, we were OK. No major impact; a slightly smaller outer lobby and recess for the TV. What was lost here was gained at the other side of the building. The builder was presumably pleased to hear that we were OK and did not require the original design to be reinstated.

Really good to see our house rising from the ground and some actual progress at last. We are hoping to visit Skye again in September and see it for ourselves.

So to the humid, hot, sweaty and wet trek up from Ledard Farm to Ben Venue. Regular readers might remember that this was our very first true climb of a Scottish mountain when we first moved here in October 2011. On that occasion we followed a route from the OS guidebook and scaled a near vertical route in failing light. Never made the summit as we needed to find the regular descent path. Returned through the forest and bog at a later date and enjoyed a good day but major bog-fest on the middle of this route. 

We met some people on the top last time who recommended the path from the farm. So seeking a new challenge, we decided to go for it. Approached by a single track road past Aberfoyle, we set off early and parked up in a large layby opposite the track. 

The first hour of walking is through forest, ferns and long, wet grasses. It was very hot and there are plenty of buzzing, flying things around. And it is steeply up hill following the course of the river which we can hear far below us. Within 15 minutes, I was wet through from ankle to waist from the dew and rain on the grass and ferns (head high at times) The remainder of me was wet from good old sweat. We finally emerged into a beautiful glen where we stopped for breakfast. A few flies remained and it was hot in the sun. We were plastered in midge repellant and sunscreen so no bites but they were very annoying buzzing in our faces and food. 

Onwards, crossing the burn using metal beams that rocked and wobbled and would be under water in even slightly wetter times. Safely over, then it was a bit of a slog up a good track to a stile. Here we saw Ben Venue in the distance - note the word distance! Still quite a way to go then.
 
Wound our way around crags with glorious views across Loch Katrine and further into the Highlands. Met the path that crosses the mire and bog and continued up (and down) for a further 30 minutes until we reached the summit. We had forgotten how tough this relatively low hill could be. Enjoyed a good rest and lunch at the top, drank in the views then headed back the way we came.

Loch Achray where the boggy path starts from - not for us today

Loch Katrine (L) with Ben A'an between the two lochs

Loch Katrine, no steamer to be seen, Highlands beyond

Back down we went, still quite hot but with a good breeze. Was dreading returning through the glen but the breeze followed us and the trees provided some welcome cool shade and shelter from the sun. Some very fast walkers passed us on the way back to the car. 

Changed into clean clothes and used the wet wipes to good effect then visited Aberfoyle on the way home. 
Sunday was a rest day!

Monthly reports from site and accompanying demands for money will now take place at the end of each month so blog will follow. 

Will return at the beginning of September unless there is news to report in the meantime. 
This weekend sees us return to Stuc a Chroin if the weather plays the game.  

Hills, more hills and glorious weather - Summer 2013 - and crofter news

 It appears that 2013 is the year for a true summer in Scotland. The glorious weather we experienced on our last trip to Skye (see 11 June report) has continued. 

As we no longer need to worry about what the build cost might be, who will build it etc etc, we have the opportunity to get back out there, trusting our builder to get on with it. So that's what we have done. 

In the last six weeks we have: 

• Spent 10 days in Plymouth while Marie and John were away
• Been introduced to our new great-nephew, Finley who was born on 31 May and is beautiful  
• Spent some time with mum and dad, caught up with Charlotte, Richard, Darren, Codie and Grace
• Re-discovered Dartmoor which doesn't seen quite as high or challenging as we remembered it! It still has its own charm though.
• Visited Ian and Jacqueline on the way home and explored the hills behind their new house  
• Regained our hill fitness by walking longer routes in the Ochils, the Carneddeu, Ben Ledi and finally Ben Vorlich (more to follow on this beauty) with a final venture back to Ben Venue this weekend. 
• The Politicians are now in recess which means that work is remarkable less stressy and much quieter. 

As far as the build goes, we have received and paid our first invoice - came complete with photos but not v exciting - however plot plus earth moving machinery photo attached below. Apparently they have built 50% of the access road, 30% of drainage completed and 80% of site cleared and flattened. 

Hard at work

 We are hoping that the next invoice plus photo attachments, due this week, might be a bit more exciting.

Meanwhile, we also heard from our solicitor who confirmed that the croft can be split as proposed and the one remaining issue is for the current owner to advertise his intention to transfer ownership to Gary. (to allow for any concerns to be raised locally) This means that our application, which was a bit wooly to say the least, has been accepted and Gary is deemed a suitable person to become a Crofter. Looking forward to changing that on his passport!   It has been so long since we started the process to buy the tenancy that it was a bit of a surprise to hear it would finally be going through. We should receive confirmation any time now. 

So to Ben Vorlich - This is our closest Munro and is less than an hour's drive away. Two previous attempts have failed. The hill has a long old walk in and the only way is up with no respite. We were turned back by illness on our first attempt and by the horizontal rain and gale force winds on the second. The rule was that it should be a day where we would see the views and with long daylight hours so we could take our time and enjoy it. 

All conditions were met on Sunday 14 July so we packed up and were away early. To get to the start of the walk, you have to brave the south lochearnhead road which is single track with very few passing places and a fair number of blind bends. The lochside is popular with fisher-folk, families camping (free) and walkers. Limited parking too. 

A relatively easy drive and a couple of reverses (one horsebox and a couple of cars) made for an interesting arrival to bag one of the few remaining parking spots. The path for this hill is obvious so no worries about navigation although we had the GPS and a map. Set off at our own pace - which meant being passed by numerous fit and speedy walkers. However there are always newbie walkers on this track so we were middling in pace. 

Has breakfast on a rock in the heather, slathered in fly / midge repellent (Smidge works!) and enjoyed the views to the lawyers range. Onwards and upwards we went. Took a break at the last flat section just before the final pull to the summit. This was where we turned back on attempt no 2. 

A good place for a rest

The summit was tempting us now and a ten minute slog over steep scree and rocks got us there. I found this last section tough but it was worth it for the views and the satisfaction of beating the hill. What nonsense but that's how it felt. 

From Ben Vorlich summit cairn to trig

Gotcha - 3rd time of trying

The summit was breezy and busy so we visited the trig and cairn then agreed to descend the ridge to pick up the return path from the bealach. There was a short consideration of going on and "doing" Stuc a Chroin ,the next Munro, but I didn't have the legs for it. We had lunch in a perfect spot in the sun, on a rocky shelf, with a cooling breeze and stunning views. Amazing and away from the crowds. 

Down the ridge to selected lunch spot. Stuc a Chroin looming in the distance

Lunch spot with views

Then we went slightly off piste - decided to follow a small track and pick up the return path from higher up. We did that all right. Descended through a steep bowl full of wild flowers, rocks, sheep and bog. Luckily the bogs were pretty dry because of the fine weather or it would have been a nightmare. Eventually we popped out on the path and returned along the side of the hill to join the path up. 

Stuc a Chroin - another day's challenge. The route goes up that rocky lump!

Had a final break on a huge rock just above Ardvorlich House's hydro scheme and enjoyed a look back at Ben Vorlich. Satisfaction indeed. 

Ben Vorlich

Back to the car and once more the trials of the south lochearnside road before joining a busy A84 for the return journey home.  In summary, summit success, no bites, no sunburn and no injuries to report - all knees fully functioning.

This weekend we re-visited Ben Venue via the Scottish rain forest but that's another story!

Will post again once we have the next bunch of photos of progress.