Ben Vorlich at Loch Earn

Climbed by year and month

Climbed by year and month

We left Ambleside early as I'd woken at silly o'clock. The roads were very quiet and we made good progress to the west end of the South Loch Earn Road. There the fun began. The road is incredibly narrow, rough, and with few passing places. Then we found the informal parking places and the campers on the loch shore.

Even at 8am or thereabouts it was busy. Campers in their dressing gowns sat on deckchairs staring out onto the loch into the strong breeze and looking cold. Having found a spot to park the van more walkers soon arrived around me. How they can smoke or vape and still walk up hills is beyond my comprehension. Maybe it's just youth still on their side.

Eventually We're both ready. We weave our way through loads of people and dogs, some not looking so friendly but we have no problems. Skye stays on the lead until we are well above Ardvorlich House and out of the fields. There are sheep on the open hillside but not close by.

Ahead and behind us is a steady stream of people. Of course, it's not only a Saturday but it's the first weekend of the scottish kids holidays.

As we climbed higher the fresh breeze got stronger such that at the summit it was a strong wind, with gusts that knocked me about. I made the decision not to continue to Stùc a' Chroin. It would have simply been too much and possibly dangerous.

Back at the lochside the campers were in full party mode. Fires of any old rubbish sent smoke everywhere, dogs wandering over the road, a husky in a crate looking as cold as it's owner still in her jim-jams. We jumped in the van and nope'd out of there as quickly as possible.