Las Ramblas head out to Loch Lomond for a Sunday Stroll,
surprisingly Neil arrived first at the meeting point unlike Martha Tilton who came up with the feeble excuse that she was helping Bruce in Cowdenbeath with a couple of big sums
Gillian, Alison, Marion, Neil, Alfie, June, Avril, Gary, Layla, Ryan & Wilf set out from Rowardennan for a saunter on the shores of
Scotland's loch that doesn't rely on a Monster to pull in the tourist.
Loch Lomond is a freshwater loch lying on the Highland
Boundary Fault, often considered the boundary between the lowlands of Central
Scotland and the Highlands. It is 39 kilometres (24 mi) long and between 1.21
kilometres (0.75 mi) and 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) wide. It has an average depth of
about 37 metres (121 ft), and a maximum depth of about 190 metres (620 ft). Its
surface area is 71 km2 (27 sq mi), and it has a volume of 2.6 km3 (0.62 cu mi).
Of all lochs and lakes in Great Britain, it is the largest by surface area, and
the second largest (after Loch Ness) by water volume. Within the United Kingdom,
it is surpassed only by Lough Neagh and Lower Lough Erne in Northern Ireland.
Traditionally a boundary between Stirlingshire and
Dunbaronshire, Loch Lomond is currently split between the council areas of
Stirling, Argyll and Bute, and West Dunbartonshire.
Loch Lomond is now part of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs
National Park. Ben Lomond is on the eastern shore: 3,195 ft in height and the
most southerly of the Scottish Munro peaks. A 2005 poll of Radio Times readers
voted Loch Lomond as the 6th greatest natural wonder in Britain.
The loch contains thirty or more other islands. depending on
the water level. Several of them are large by the standards of British bodies
of freshwater. Inchmurrin, for example, is the largest island in a body of
freshwater in the British Isles.
Several of the islands
appear to be crannogs, artificial islands built in prehistoric periods
One of the loch's islands, Inchconnachan, is home to a
colony of wallabies.
Alison & Layla
Loch Lomond
Marion & Avril express a preference for the Low Road
Fly Agaric
Neil gets some practice in for the impending championships
Ramblers Rest
Alison realises she cant get a signal on her Phone
Las Ramblas head into Perthshire for a Bimble to the De'ils Cauldron in Comrie.
Carole King had hoped to join us but took fright at the amount of Seismic activity in the area, she sent this little ditty so we could whistle while we walk.
Gillian, Alison, June, Marion, Bruce, Neil, Linda, Sam, Alfie, Avril, Garry, Ryan & Wilf are joined in the Shaky Toun by Geraldine.
Before we set of let's check in with Sean for a quick Weather Report.
"Well Las Ramblas Light Showers in the morning giving way to a very pleasant day for a saunter "
Comrie sits at the confluence of three rivers. The River
Ruchill and The River Lednock are both
tributaries of the Earn , which itself eventually feeds into the Tay . The name
Comrie is of Gaelic origin and is derived from the Gaelic word conruith meaning
'a place where rivers meet' or 'confluence'. Due to its position astride the
Highland Boundary Fault it has historically experienced frequent earthquakes
and Comrie is now nicknamed the 'Shaky Toun. In the 1830s, around 7,300 tremors
were recorded and today Comrie remains one of the most geologically active
areas in the United Kingdom and records earthquakes more often, and to a higher
intensity, than anywhere else in the United Kingdom. Comrie became the site of
one of the world's first seismometers in 1840.
The village's position on the Highland Boundary Fault is
unique. To the north of the village, Ben Chonzie and the Grampian Mountains
rise majestically, while to the south of the village wide and open moorland is
joined by lesser mountains and glens which provide a unique range of terrain
and ecology.
There is significant evidence of prehistoric habitation of
the area, characterised by numerous standing stones and archeological remains,
which give some insight into the original Pictish and later Celtic societies.
In 79AD the Roman General Agricola chose what are now the
outskirts of Comrie as the site to build a fort and temporary marching camp,
because of the area's strategic position on the southern fringe of the
Highlands. The fort is one of the lines of so-called "Glen blocking"
forts which runs from Drumquhassle to Stracathro and includes the legionary
fortress of Inchtuthil.
A granite obelisk atop Dùn Mòr to the north commemorates Henry Dundas, 1st
Viscount Melville. This monument is reached via a woodland trail through wooded
Glen Lednock in which is to be found the
Slocha'n Donish or De'ils Caldron. The trail begins in the village, at Laggan
Park and ascends through a native forest of pines, oak, elm, ash rowan, alder
and beech to Glen Lednock. Via The Shaky Bridge (although the original shaky
bridge was replaced with a decidedly less shaky successor) the hiker is greeted
with a splendid view of Glen Lednock, a truly highland landscape where a single
lane road leads higher to Glen Lednock Reservoir and the Munro, Ben Chonzie.
From here Dùn Mòr and the Monument are easily reached, offering unparalleled
views across Strathearn and further west to the central highlands. A swift
descent (or ascent depending on route chosen) leads through a long, steep,
wooded gorge which contains the impressive Deil's Cauldron. Here the river has
cut a high, cascading waterfall in the surrounding rock, with pools below
resembling a boiling cauldron. It is said that a water-elf, Uris-chidh resides
here and attempts to lure victims into the treacherous waters. Following the
path down a lesser companion to the great falls, The Wee Cauldron which offers
a calmer view of the river. Following the path through the forest eventually
returns the walker to the village.
Route
River Lednock
Heading into the Forest
Someone was happy not to have met the Devil
Sam clears the path ahead
Las Ramblas gather at the De'ils Cauldron
The De'ils Cauldron
The Path up Dun Mor to The Melville Monument
Melville Monument
Looking out over Perthshire
Comrie from Dun Mor
Linda & Wilf Near journeys end
Marion & Wilf discuss the type of cakes availiable
Bobby Fuller had wanted to join us today as Las Ramblas
head back into the Campsies with a trip to Cort-Ma-Law,
Mr Fuller sent this rather prophetic ditty to help us on our way.
Gillian, Alison, Layla, Marion & Bruce head north of Lennoxton
Here's our good Friend Sean Batty with his window on the Weather
"Well Las Ramblas it's a Beautiful day for a walk. bright sunshine
A wee chill in the air & snow on higher ground, enjoy
Route
Marion & Gillian Head into the hills
View from the Campsies
Marion takes a breather
First discussions begin on footwear issues
The way Ahead who could resist
Gillian & Marion make a graceful descent
Alison & Layla refuse to go any further
After a quick discussion on the footwear issues we called a halt to today's walk
Oh well time for a quick drive over to the Fintry Inn for a Pint & a bite to eat.
It was a trip to far for Stuart Adamson who sent this little ditty for his no show today
as Las Ramblas head into the valley
Gillian,Alison,Layla,Bruce,Marion,Gary & Avril take a soggy saunter down Lanarkshire way. but first let's check the weather with Sean
"Well Las Ramblas with all the rain we've had over the last few days
it could be a tad slippy underfoot, but clear skies with only
a slight chance of showers".
The conservation
village of New Lanark is the gateway to the Falls of Clyde Wildlife Reserve,
which is owned and managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust. From New Lanark you
can enjoy beautiful riverside walks through the Reserve, following in the
footsteps of the many poets and painters including Wordsworth and Turner. There
are three waterfalls upstream from New Lanark lying on the Clyde Walkway:
Dundaff Linn (3 metres) is the close to the village. Corra Linn (28 metres) and
Bonnington Linn (11 metres)
For information about
the Falls of Clyde Reserve, visit the Scottish Wildlife Trust's Visitor Centre
at the old mill in New Lanark, or http://www.newlanark.org/index2.shtml
Route
New Lanark & Dundaff Linn
Heading into the Clyde Gorge
Corra Linn
Heading into the woods
Layla & Alison
Top of Corra Linn
Avril,Marion & Gillian head into the Dark side
Bonnington Linn
Marion,Layla,Gillian,Alison & Gary
The Pink Ladies look down from on high
Marion & Gary turn for home & Coffee
Layla's restoration project
The Restoration team
Time to head back into the village for Coffee & Cake
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