2 . Beinn an Lochain , 6th May 2016

One of the benefits of working for Eco-congregation Scotland was the opportunity to travel around Scotland.  Wherever possible, this was by public transport, but Selkirk to Ardrishaig could only reasonably be done by car.  That in itself was a challenge, with our Nissan Leaf having a range of round 75 miles, but I enjoyed the journey with charging stops on the Edinburgh bypass, at Stirling, Arrochar and Inveraray en route.

After a comfortable overnight stay at Allt-na-Craig B&B, I set off home on a bright sunny morning, with time to re-climb the lovely little mountain, Beinn an Lochain, above the Rest and Be Thankful.

Beinn an Lochain has the dubious fame of being the lowest Munro until it was demoted in the metric revision of the tables, when resurveyed at only 901 m, a good 40 feet below the required height!  Still, it deserves to be climbed and enjoyed.

I parked at the layby 1 km north of the Rest & Be Thankful.  A good path leads across the stream which flows out of Loch Restil, then winds its way up the north ridge of the mountain avoiding a series of rocky outcrops.  Boggy in some places, but mostly firm underfoot.

Beinn an Lochain from the car park

An hour and three-quarters of steady ascent, with ever increasing views, and the summit (two tops around 100 m apart) appeared.

Beinn and Lochain summit

looking down the north ridge of Beinn and Lochain

The return was by exactly the same route, taking 1 hr 15 mins.

I even managed to take a "selfie" at the top!

Summary

3 km walk
700 m climb
4 hours

(written and uploaded 10/07/2019)

For various reasons – including starting a new part-time job with Eco-congregation Scotland, 2016 had a low climbing count!  Only 4 short outing worth mentioning.

1.  Ben Vrackie (1/3/16)

Courtesy of a Scotrail Club 50 offer, Anne and I headed off to Pitlochry by train on Feb 29th for a short break.  We hoped to be able to climb Ben Vrackie.

Ben Vrackie

Weather wasn’t great, but we set off from our B&B in the town at 9.40am, and walked up through the town to Moulin (10.30am), then followed the clear path up the hill and across the moor to Loch a’Choire (11.30am).  Easy walk so far.

heading up the Ben Vrackie path

The climb from the far side of the loch was more challenging.  Old snow on the path and stone steps was hard packed into ice, so care was needed.

frozen Loch a 'Choire

Still, we made good progress, and soon reached the cold and windy summit, in mist, at 12.30.

the chilly summit of Ben Vrackie (841m)

A quick picnic lunch, then back down by the same route to a warming cup of coffee in the Moulin Inn!

Summary:
12 km walk
750 m climb
5 hours

Log:

(written and uploaded 25/06/2019)