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.