GLASGOW YOUNG WALKERS
Scotland
Walks
Below is a list of some of our previous walks:
September 2009
KINLOCHARD AND THE CRANNOG
This easy-going circuit on forest tracks has excellent views over Loch Ard including the remains of a small crannog. A steep, but short, climb is rewarded with a typical Trossachs view of loch and mountains, especially good in the autumn colours. Details of the walk can be found at:
http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/lochlomond/kinlochard.shtml
August 2009
Tinto Hill
The weather was on our side it was a bright and sunny walk up Tinto hill if a little blustery at the top. This is a great hill for first time hill walkers as it takes just over 2 hours to complete. The surrounding scenery was beautiful from both the east and west and the path was well trodden and easy to follow.
Fife Coastal Path
LOW LEVEL WALK
This walk started at Aberdour with a wander over to Dalgety Bay returning through the village heading to the coast across a golf course and along a tarmac track to a rough path that lead through fields back to the start of Dalgety Bay. Then a walk on the beach and some seals!
We stopped off at the marina at the far end of the bay at the halfway point in the walk with a clubhouse for snacks, coffee and alcohol!
JULY 2009
ARRAN COASTAL WALK - PART 2
LOW LEVEL WALK
Ascent- 70m/230ft, low level, Walking time: 4hr walk, Miles: approx 9 miles
This walk was a pleasant flat walk along the Arran coastal path from Dougarie to Blackwaterfoot. This was the next part of the Arran coastal walk ithat we started in June. The path took us along the main road for a large section (approx 6 miles) and then along a beach path past King's cave where Robert the Bruce in 1307 is believed to have travelled on route to taking the Scottish crown. From there we walked onto Blackwaterfoot for a quick drink before catching the bus back for the ferry. This walk was a great way to see a part of one of the prettiest Islands off the west coast.
To find out more about this section and the Arran Coastal walk please check out their website at: http://www.coastalway.co.uk/
High Level Walk
Beinn Ime (1011m) (& possibly Beinn Narnain (926m))
Distance: 12km. Ascent: 1200m Time 7 hours (both mountains)
We ascended Beinn Ime from the south at Arrochar, climbing the zigzag path up, past the Cobbler and onto the high plateau toward Beinn Ime. There was some clambering over boulders to be done as the path led up towards the summit. Beinn Narnain is positioned to the south east of Ben Ime so we were able to summit it on our return. Beinn Ime is the highest mountain in the Arrochar Alps and offers fantastic views from the summit.
High Level Walk
Ben Lawers (1214m), An Stuc (1118m), Meall Garbh (1118m), Meall Greigh (1001m)
Distance: 18km. Ascent: 1550m Time: 8 - 9 hours
This walk is attempt No.2 at the walk initially planned for May! Just to jog your memories...
This was a circular walk with an alternative route amongst some of the peaks of the Ben Lawers group. The walk started in the hamlet of Lawers on the North side of Loch Tay, before heading up to Lochan nan Cat and the East ridge of Ben Lawers itself. This was a beautiful and quieter alternative to the more common ascent from the Lawers visitor centre. As well as having spectacular mountain scenery, the Lawers hills are also famous for their unusual botany. From Ben Lawers the circuit will continue over rocky ground to An Stuc. Finally we droped back down to the Lawers Burn and return to our starting point - conveniently the car park is by a rather nice pub by the shores of Loch Tay where we grabed some food before heading home!
The Devils Ridge
Munros: Sgurr a'Mhaim (1099m), Stob Ban (999m) and Mullach nan Coirean (939m)
Other 'Tops' - Sgor an Iubhair (1001m)
Distance: 13km, Height: Total Height Gain of 1600m,Time:7 hours 20 Mins
The Mamores are a group of mountains in the Lochaber area of the Grampian Mountains in the Scottish Highlands. They form an east-west ridge approximately fifteen kilometres in length lying between Glen Nevis to the north and Loch Leven to the south. This is a fine ridge walk in the Mamores with plenty of excitement in the form of four 3000ft tops and a fantastic ridge.
BEN LOMOND – HIGH LEVEL WALK
ASCENT: APPROX 900m, TIME: 5-6 HOURS
JUNE 2009
The Merrick
Mid Level Walk (Medium/Strenuous)
Distance: 8 miles, Height: 843m, Time: 5-6 hours
The Merrick is one of the mountains within the Range of the Awful Hand (Dumfries and Galloway). The Merrick is an impressive mountain which offers great visual rewards along the scenic and steep trail. From the top of this mountain you can see several beautiful small lochs, which if time (and enthusiasm) allows we can descend from the mountain and return along the valley floor to see and paddle in these lochs.
HIGH LEVEL WALK
Saturday 27th June 2009
Beinn Ime and Ben Vane
Distance: 19 km, Height: Total 1614 m, Time: 6.5 hours
Ben Vane is one of the Arrochar Alps and stands slightly separate from the other mountains of the group being connected on its western side to the neighbouring Beinn Ìme by a low col at 492 metres. Ben Vane itself just qualifies as a Munro reaching a height of 915 metres (3002 feet) and is characterised by steep and rugged slopes which fall away to the Inveruglas Water to the east and the Allt Coiregroigan to the south. Beinn Ime mean while is the highest Mountain in the Arrochar Alps. The plan will be to ascend Ben Vane and then Ben Ime.
ARRAN COASTAL LOW-MID LEVEL
Walking time: 6hr walk , Miles: approx min 13 miles - max 18 miles (weather and path dependant)
This walk was a long mainly flat walk along the Arran coastal path from Lochranza to Machrie which we extended to Blackwaterfoot. This walk was a great way to see around one of the prettiest Islands off the west coast. And the sun was out!! To find out more about this section and the Arran Coastal walk please check out their website at: http://www.coastalway.co.uk/
GOATFELL AND NORTH GOATFELL, ARRAN
Overall Ascent: Approx 900m, Distance: Approx 18km
We ascended Goatfell from Brodick Castle by way of the main path then to continue on to North Goatfell which is a really great, relatively narrow ridge with some options of grade 1or 2 scrambling along the way, much of which is avoidable. We then descended into Glen Rosa and walked back to Brodick.
CONIC HILL and WEST HIGHLAND WAY
LOW LEVEL
Distance: 6 miles, Approx time: 3h
Conic Hill is iconic (GYW think all hills are iconic though) and gives amazing views across Loch Lomond and far around. The walk is forested for the rest of the time and was a lovely relaxing day.
HIGH LEVEL
MAY 2009
LOW LEVEL
GLEN LOIN AND COIREGROGRAIN, ARROCHAR
Distance: 11 miles, Approx: 5 hours
This was a long circuit through the glens and corries to the north of Arrochar. The sun was definitely out for this walk so we were able to see the peaks of the Arrochar Alps! For more information on the route see http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/lochlomond/glen-loin.shtml
MID LEVEL
DUMGOYNE
Dumgoyne was a relatively easy hill walk just outside Glasgow. This 5 mile walk (1402 ft) was on good paths was a nice Saturday afternoon stroll. HIGH LEVEL Distance: 18km. Ascent: 1550m Time: 7 - 8 hours This circular walk amongst the peaks of the Ben Lawers started in the hamlet of Lawers on the North side of Loch Tay, before heading up to Lochan nan Cat and the East ridge of Ben Lawers. This was a beautiful and quieter alternative to the more common ascent from the Lawers visitor centre. The circuit continued over rocky ground to An Stuc with some fairly easy scrambling heading on from An Stuc. Further east the terrain changed from scree and crags to rolling heathery hills over Meall Garbh and Meall Greigh. As well as having spectacular mountain scenery, the Lawers hills are famous for their unusual botany - which were in bloom to coincide with our walk... Stephen, the walk leader was able to use his expert knowledge to provide a guide to the flowers seen along the way! Finally we dropped back down to the Lawers Burn and a rather nice pub by the shores of Loch Tay for a much deserved drink! HIGH LEVEL
Ben Lawers (1214m), An Stuc (1118m), Meall Garbh (1118m), Meall Greigh (1001m)
BEINN A’GHLO
Carn Liath 975m/3199ft, Braigh-Coire Chruinn-bhalgain 1070m/3510ft, Carn nan Gabhar 1121m/3678ft
Total ascent: 1250 metres
Walking time: approx 7-8 hours
Distance approx. 22km (14 miles)
This was a circular high-level walk taking in the three Munros which make up the Beinn a’Ghlo group, near Blair Atholl in the highland. Beinn a’Ghlo is a superb high-level walk along broad, stony, twisting steep-sided ridges in scenery more typical of the Cairngorms than Perthshire.
HIGH LEVEL
Bidean nam Bian & Stob Coire Sgreamhach
Distance: 13 km; Height: 1150m & 1072m; Total ascent: 1030m; Time: 6 hours
Difficulty / Terrain:Steep, rocky and complex terrain.
Bidean nam Bian, lying to the south of Glencoe is the highest point in the former county of Argyll. This is a complex mountain, with many ridges and subsidiary peaks, one of which, Stob Coire Sgreamach is classified as a separate Munro. A walk over well-worn paths for much of the route that was very rocky with sections of steep scree and grade 1 scrambling!
Campsie Fells
Length: approx 20km (12 miles), Total height: 548m (1797 feet), Time: approx 5 hours
This was a fairly long, mid-level walk in the Campsie Hills. Starting at Fintry and walking up Dunmore, around the Corrie of Balglass and on to Earl's Seat before returning by a more direct route with good views back to Glasgow and Loch Lomond. The day ended in the pub for before returning to Glasgow.
MARCH 2009
LOW LEVEL
West Highland Way
This walk was a low level walk of 9 miles (approx 4 hours) along part of the West Highland Way from Milngavie to Carbeth and back. For more details about the walk route check out the link: http://www.west-highland-way.co.uk/
MID LEVEL
DEUCHARY HILL AND LOCH ORDIE
Total ascent – approx.350m. Walking time: approx 5 hrs. Distance approx 16km (10 miles)
This was a circular walk above the picturesque village of Dunkeld in highland Perthshire along paths and tracks climbing gently through woodland area into open hills and moorland, passing three small lochs reaching the picturesque Loch Ordie. The highest point of the walk was Deuchary Hill (511m/1677ft) with views over Strath Tay and the mountains beyond. omplete this walk. There was a drink to be had in Dunkeld at the end of the day!
HIGH LEVEL
The Dalmally Horseshoe
This route was a circular ridge walk taking in the Munro of Stob Diamh and the fine top of Sron an Isean. The walk involved some easy scrambling and ice axes and crampons due to the winter conditions. All worth it for the great views out to Mull and Jura and the mountains around Loch Etive.
BEN VORLICH including 'Little Hills'
Distance: 6 miles, Height: 3076 ft, Total ascent: 3400 ft, Time: 6 hours
There are several ways to approach Ben Vorlich (Hill of the bay) but the route which uses the 'Little Hills' - effectively Vorlich's east to north east curved shoulder - looks the most interesting.
LUSS HILLS
MID LEVEL
8 miles, 2300ft ascent (or extra 1300ft for Mid Hill)
Steepish ascent of Beinn Eich then along the ridge to Doune Hill before dropping down steeply (& with no path). Return either down Glen Mollochan or steepish climb up to Mid Hill & down the path with much better views.
SOUTHERN UPLANDS (WANLOCKHEAD) MID LEVEL Total ascent – approx.180-190m, walking time: approx 4 hrs, distance approx 16km (10 miles)
This is a circular walk in the rolling hills around the village of Wanlockhead, in the Southern Uplands, around 50 miles south-east of Glasgow. The walk will begin and end in the village of Wanlockhead , which claims to be the highest village in Scotland (420m/1380ft above sea level). Due to the high starting point this walk is really best described as a walk in the hills rather than a hillwalk as such and the total ascent over the course of the walk will be less than 200m.
The walk will follow part of the Southern Upland way and then use other hill, moorland and forest tracks to loop back to Wanlockhead. There will be an opportunity to go for a drink in one of the local pubs afterwards.
FEBRUARY 2009
High Level
BEN LAWERS RIDGE
Height: Total ascent of 1748m ( Beinn Ghlas 1103, Ben Lawers 1241, An Stuc1118, Meall Garbh 1118, and Meall Greigh 1001)Walking time: 8hr walk Miles: approx 12.5 miles
Ben Lawers, Scotland's ninth highest mountain, along a classic high level ridge. Once on the ridge you never drop below 2500ft, and the views over Loch Tay justify its position as one of the most popular routes in the Southern Highlands. The walk included Ben Lawers and the ridge to AnStuc, Meall Garbh, Beinn Ghlas and Meall Greigh.
Mid Level
LUSS HILLS
Height: 2300ft ascent
Distance 8 miles
Luss walk ascending Beinn Eich and Doune Hill, before returning down Glen Mollochan with good views all around.
Mid Level
BEN CLEUCH (OCHIL HILLS)
Height: 2384ft / 721m (Total ascent of 670m)
Walking time: approx 3.5hrs
Distance 10.2km (6.4 miles)
A circular walk in the Ochil Hills, near Stirling. Albert Einstein once went walking in the Ochils during a trip to Scotland (according to the Perthshire Tourist Board anyway….I can’t guarantee the 100% truth of this!) The first part of the walk proceeded steeply up the scenic Mill Glen on an excellent path and then onto the gentler high plateau of the Ochils. We continued to the highest point of the Ochils, Ben Cleuch (2384ft/721m), which gave a great contrasting view of the lowlands to the south and highlands to the north. We returned via the Ochils Woodland Park .
JANUARY 2009
Mid Level
Ben Ledi (Hill of the shoulder)
Height: 879m Distance: Around 5 miles
Start point; Grid reference NN586091
Ben Ledi in the Trossachs. A popular walk with a well graded route to an excellent summit with fine views over the hills of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.
High Level Walk - Ptarmigan Ridge – Ben Lomond.
The best way up Ben Lomond taking a quieter, more scenic route up the mountain on an excellent small path. A circular walk, descending the tourist path. The route is marked on the OS map which can be viewed on the OS website.(http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/getamap/) Amazing views over Loch Lomond!
This was a high level walk with almost 3000ft of ascent (starts higher than sea level). Horizontal distance is something like 8km. The walkinginvolved a couple of steep sections, most notably near the top where there was steep snow/ice. The final section involved some easy scrambling and was a little bit exposed, but not too bad.
Ice axes and crampons were required on this trip out! The first of many this winter?!
Beverages + / - snacks at the Rowardennan Hotel were mandatory at the end of the walk!
Sunday 1st February September 2008
Schiehallion
This hill famous for being used to calculate the mass of the earth and for its flora and fauna provided an easy walk with an interesting scramble over a bolder field at the end. Although the summit was shrouded in cloud this was a nice walk with some great views on the way!
August 2008 - weekend away
Ben Nevis and the Pap of Glencoe
Having arrived at Glen Nevis on the Friday night we prepared for the weekend with a large pub dinner and a few pints. We then set out early on the Saturday to climb the highest hill in Britain! Ben Nevis was shrouded in cloud and the weather forcast was terrible however we went for it and 1344m of ascent later we ate our triumphant lunch at the summit With the weather forecast for the Sunday not looking to good either we decided to do the Pap of Glencoe which proved to be a fantastic wee hill with a nice scramble at the top and great views.
Saturday 26th July -
Great Cumbrae
A huge group enjoyed a nice warm day with a walk around Cumbrae. A nice stop in Millport for a 99 and a lager in largs capped of a great day.
Saturday 12th July -Ben Lawers
This fantastic ridge contains 5 munroe and we planned to try and complete all them. A bright start deteriorated as we walked up in to low cloud however this was a great walk and having ascended Beinn Ghlas we then continued to the summit of Ben Lawers. Having already completed two munroes we considered the steadly rising winds and decided that the entire ridge could wait for a day when we could enjoy the views!
Sat/Sun 5th/6th July –
Cairngorm weekend
This was the groups very first overnight weekend and it was an absolutely blast. We drove up to Braemar (via a pub stop at Perth) on the Friday evening, and stayed at the SYHA for the night. We set off early by foot in to Corour Bothy, and pitched camp a lovely spot settled in the Lairig Ghru. By late afternoon and after a wee rest we all made it to the summit of Ben Macdui, the no. 2 mountain in Britain! A fantastic achievement. The following day we conquered the second munro for the weekend - The Devils Point. It was a fantastic weekend, enjoyed by all, and one in which we reached a total distance of near 45km. Well done all!
Saturday 22nd June -
Luss Hills
Saturday 14th June -
Ben Chabhair
A while since most of us had done a Munro, we were treated with good weather yet again. The walk could have been potentially boggy, however due to the nice weather in previous weaks we had no troubles at all and had spectacular 360 degree views on the summit. A little rain on and off did not dampen our spirits, and the walk was enjoyed by all walkers. A surprinsingly great Munro!
Saturday 7th June -
Isle of Bute
Another beautiful day of weather, and a large attendance enjoyed a lengthy 16 mile walk around the northern half of the Isle of Bute. The bus trip from Port Bannatyne to Rothesay was a much needed short-cut to cap it off!
Saturday 31st May -
WHW Walk - Inveranan to Crianlarich
Saturday 17th May -
Ben Lui, Ben a'Chleibh, Ben Oss & Ben Dubhchraig
What can I say? Four Munros in one day.
Saturday 10th May -
The Merrick
Once again we headed south instead of north or west, this time for a walk up the highest peak in the southern uplands. Some heavy rain before getting out of the car didn't deter us, and we ended with clear fantastic views from the summit of the Merrick. A nice lunch with nice views was had, before heading back down and then getting drenched in a thunderstorm. It was a long trudge through some boggy terrain back to the car park, but was well worth it. Another fantastic walk.
Saturday 26th April -
Ben More
Arch. The weather was awful and we only made it up to a large rock about 1/2 the way to the top of the demanding Munro. Very high winds and rain, with little visibility, and the thought of going for a pub lunch instead got the better of us. Another time...
Saturday 19th April -
Nevis Spring Clean
We had a lovely day, the weather was gorgeous and the scenery stunning. It didn't look like there was much litter on the way up to the half-way lochan but it was surprising how much we gathered on the way back down. The most popular item was banana skins, which a lot of people think will just break down, but it takes a long time in our climate! Here's hoping there's not so many next year.
Sunday 13th April -
Aberfoyle
A good turn out of near 20, and a nice sunny Spring afternoon provided us with a top walk to the top of the Monievreckie Hills. We stopped on the summit for a good lunch break, and then spent the afternoon exploring the maze of paths around the forest reserve. A drink at the pub before heading home summed up a top day.
Sunday 30th March -
Low Level walk - WHW Balmaha to Rowardennen
Despite leaving Glasgow under a heavy cloud of rain the sun shone all day for our epic 14 mile walk along the West Highland Way from Balmaha to Rowardennan and back. Well done to Maria who raised over £150 for CLIC Sargent a charity for children with cancer. A
great day was had by all.
Saturday 15th March -
High Level walk - Grey Mares Tail and White Coomb
This was a challenging but fun walk with all sorts of unexpected challenges along the way. Crossing two streams, trudging up through snow and through thick fog for well over an hour, and then through sime nice bogs to cap it off. The views around Loch Skeen were great, and everyone learnt a little (I hope!). One to revisit when the weather is nice!
Saturday 8th March -
Medium Level walk - Arrochar Alps
Sunday 24th February -
Low Level walk - Greenock Cut and Loch Thom
Saturday 9th February -
High Level Walk - Meall Ghaordaidh
A less challenging Munro (compared to some), but nonetheless a great walk. The wind was howling through at the summit making it possibly the shortest lunch yet! The fog covered the peak, so some nice views were missed unfortunately.
SUnday 3rd February -
Medium Level walk - Beinn Luibhean
Saturday 26th January -
High Level walk - Ben Lomond
Sunday 20th January -
Low Level walk - WHW Strathblane to Drymen
A record number of 30 + walkers turned out for this one. The weather was nice and we all enjoyed a nice even walk along towards Drymen. In the end time got the better of us and we didn't ended making Drymen. Nonetheless it was a good walk through the nice countryside.
Saturday 12th January -
High Level walk - Ben Challum 1025m
We arrived at the start of the walk just before Tyndrum for our ascent up Ben Challum. Straight away we all new this would be a superb day.The day was especially good due to the large amount of snow dumped all over the highlands in the days leading up to our walk. So we headed up Ben Challum, through Kirkton Farm, and up on to the steady but not too steep slopes. Once on the summit we had stunning views in all directions including many many surrounding snow capped Munros. The walk could only be described as magical!
Sunday 9th December -
Low Level walk - Rosyln
Saturday 1st December -
High Level Hill Walk - Ben Cruachan 1126m & Stob Diamh 998m
We had an extra small turn-out for this one, only the four of us. After last weeks stunning Munro, we were blessed yet again with fine weather and a beautiful ascent past the Cruachan Dam up to the summit of the Munro. Unfortunately time got the better of us and we had to call it a day at the peak of Cruachan and miss out on the ridge walk. It was for the best as darkness fell quickly and we found ourselves bringing out the torches on the way down! Another good fun walk with stunning views!
Sunday 25th November - Stob Coire Raineach & Stob Dubh in Glencoe
Despite a stubborn farmer, some scary black bulls, and a few barbed-wire fences, we had a nice walk along the summit of Byne Hill, and then along to the higher Grey Hill with great views of Ailsa Craig. The weather was ace and we were treated with a nice sunset!
Saturday 28th October 2007 - Ben Arthur (The Cobbler)
Despite losing a car load of ladies due to roadworks, diversions and a wrong turn the walk was very successful. The colours on the Cobbler were stunning and well worth the hike up.
We were lucky to have a mostly dry day with superb views.
Sunday 14th October 2007 - Falls of Clyde
Saturday 6th October 2007 - Meall Corranaich and Meall a' Choire Leith in Ben Lawers
Unfortunately a strong mist covered both summits, blocking a superb view, and forcing us into some hefty navigation. Nonetheless it was a great day, we all had fun, and learned a lot about tough walking in Scotland. And for some of us, we had finally bagged our first Munro!
Sunday 30th September - Dumgoyne
We had a great turnout on this day, and enjoyed a nice walk to the steep summit of Dumgoyne Hill. We took the climb from the momument end in Strathblane which is a much steadier ascent than the popular distillery route. It's a pretty steady climb with a short steep scramble at the top - something for everyone! More great views enjoyed by all. The sun and blue sky came out on the way down, so we decided to pop in to the pub for a drink in the beer garden before calling it a day.
Sunday 16th September - Isle of Bute
This must have been the wettest summer in Scotland ever! Today we walked part of the 'West Island Way', a lovely part of the island, however due to the weather we especially enjoyed the warm scones and hot chocolate in Rothesay at the end.
Saturday 25th August 2007 - Goatfell, Arran
Another wet day in the hills of Scotland but we managed to walk a good way into the start of the walk with the help of the Blantyre Walking Group. The Irish coffee's at the 'friendly' local pub though were the highlight of the day!
The sun shone for us this day, we even got sunburnt! A great walk round the island was had by all with beautiful views over to Arran and Bute.
Sunday 5th August 2007 - Ben A'an
A wet climb up to the top and not much to see through the mist but spirits were high, especially in the pub afterwards to toast our success! A great wee hill for first time walkers.
Saturday 21st July 2007 - Ben Lomond
This was the first walk for the group and was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Great views from the top over Loch Lomond and beyond!!
