Sometimes a guy just needs some space so where better to head for with his "dug" than a bothy on the fringes of Rannoch Moor. Right on the edge of where part of the great place drains lies a bothy and by all accounts not that strenuous to reach.
So Brochlach and I headed out in some right squally weather. Little did I know that the trip involved wading a couple of burns right at the start!
Some of the walk was quite boring, well the start anyway as it followed part of the WHL.
And on my left the southern fringe of Rannoch Moor with the weather threatening something bad!
This bridge won't be here for much longer! I crossed it but put my foot through a few of the sleepers into clean air! A wee bit scary to say the least!
The wood signalled the start of the wilder route. There were a few trains using the line. Strangley the remoteness reminded me of the outback with the railway going across it!
Ther's a lot of history to this wood. A long time ago a dedicated forestry employee surveyed all the islands and cliff faces around Rannoch for "original" wood and he ended up planting a "wildwood" further in from the edge here to re-establish the existing remnants of the old wood of Caledon. Further in this is more noticable. (bar the pylons and the rail line)
The wood is a very special place full of red deer and interestingly I saw a barn owl. Unfortunatley no pics, even the deer were wary as it is stalking season.
Once passed the wood and looking back I felt a real sense that I was really in wild and unforgiving country.
Following the river further upstream the beauty was in the sense of space under a big sky which was almost overpowering
and there was beauty in the little things too...
You can't see it in these photographs but the wind was so strong it nearly blew me over on occassion and the rain came in sheets.
And on my left another awesome view...
By this time the walk in was really dragging, I was looking forward to reaching the bothy and a wee while later I found it hidden behind some morraines...
And a finer sight there never was!
Inside was basic but dry and not drafty at all. It's probably the tidiest least vandalised bothy I've used.
By the time I got inside my back was killing me, Brochlach was hungry, I was soaked to the knees from wading a couple of streams and i was in dire need of nice coffee so the fire was lit (there's no harvestable wood nearby so all wood has to be brought in, I used firelogs) and KK was soon bubbling away as the socks were drying.
Awesome...what a great feeling indeed. Warm, cosy, fed and watered and alone for a wee while. Just me and my dug!
Another fire shot...
Feeling at home yet?
How about settling in for a nice read?
Wiith only the sound of the howling wind and rain and my snoring dog as I drifted off to sleep. I slept soundly.
In the morning I awoke to the quiet rumbling of a train and looked out, the weather was mixed;still a bit wild at times. Strangley I heard voices but no one was to be seen, maybe it was the wind playing tricks.
The view from the bothy door...
And a few minutes later it cleared to reveal...wild country. Looking towards Rannoch Moor.
All in all a great walk and it was nice to get away for a night for some quiet time. Hope you enjoy Brochlach did!
WS
So Brochlach and I headed out in some right squally weather. Little did I know that the trip involved wading a couple of burns right at the start!
Some of the walk was quite boring, well the start anyway as it followed part of the WHL.
And on my left the southern fringe of Rannoch Moor with the weather threatening something bad!
This bridge won't be here for much longer! I crossed it but put my foot through a few of the sleepers into clean air!
A wee bit scary to say the least!
The wood signalled the start of the wilder route. There were a few trains using the line. Strangley the remoteness reminded me of the outback with the railway going across it!
Ther's a lot of history to this wood. A long time ago a dedicated forestry employee surveyed all the islands and cliff faces around Rannoch for "original" wood and he ended up planting a "wildwood" further in from the edge here to re-establish the existing remnants of the old wood of Caledon. Further in this is more noticable. (bar the pylons and the rail line)
The wood is a very special place full of red deer and interestingly I saw a barn owl. Unfortunatley no pics, even the deer were wary as it is stalking season.
Once passed the wood and looking back I felt a real sense that I was really in wild and unforgiving country.
Following the river further upstream the beauty was in the sense of space under a big sky which was almost overpowering
and there was beauty in the little things too...
You can't see it in these photographs but the wind was so strong it nearly blew me over on occassion and the rain came in sheets.
And on my left another awesome view...
By this time the walk in was really dragging, I was looking forward to reaching the bothy and a wee while later I found it hidden behind some morraines...
And a finer sight there never was!
Inside was basic but dry and not drafty at all. It's probably the tidiest least vandalised bothy I've used.
By the time I got inside my back was killing me, Brochlach was hungry, I was soaked to the knees from wading a couple of streams and i was in dire need of nice coffee so the fire was lit (there's no harvestable wood nearby so all wood has to be brought in, I used firelogs) and KK was soon bubbling away as the socks were drying.
Awesome...what a great feeling indeed. Warm, cosy, fed and watered and alone for a wee while. Just me and my dug!
Another fire shot...
Feeling at home yet?
How about settling in for a nice read?
Wiith only the sound of the howling wind and rain and my snoring dog as I drifted off to sleep. I slept soundly.
In the morning I awoke to the quiet rumbling of a train and looked out, the weather was mixed;still a bit wild at times. Strangley I heard voices but no one was to be seen, maybe it was the wind playing tricks.
The view from the bothy door...
And a few minutes later it cleared to reveal...wild country. Looking towards Rannoch Moor.
All in all a great walk and it was nice to get away for a night for some quiet time. Hope you enjoy Brochlach did!
WS
