Saturday 29 April 2023 - Craiganour (7) - Faskally Forest parkrun and Drumcroy Hill

Five of us took a 40 minute drive to Faskally, near Pitlochry. The parkrun was over an undulating course in the forest on a three lap lollipop course. So times were slow but we had a good time, and we enjoyed coffee and cake afterwards with some of the regulars amongst the 53 runners plus volunteers.

Full results are here.

Then we went to Trinafour with Mac, for a short walk to the forested summit (512 metres) of Drumcroy Hill. There's a trig point near the summit, where the picture was taken.

In dull, occasionally drizzly weather, today's itinerary was perfect for the conditions.

Today's walk was about 5.5km, taking little more than 2 hours.

We returned to base after lunch, for mid afternoon tea and scones in the games room, with a red squirrel scampering along the wall outside.

Later - More pictures from today:

Faskally Forest - spot the raindrops.

Getting ready to dash up the first of several hills.

Lots of cheers and hugs as one of the younger runners finishes with a sprint to dad.

Drumcroy Hill, with Andy 'Mac' and Sue, in light rain.

In between these two pictures, we visited the summit. Tussocks and trees. Summit picture is above.

From the deer fence a track leads back to Trinafour, with the Loch Errochty dam in the background.

Here's the route - 5.6km, 250 metres ascent, 2 hours.

Tea and scones - our chef Bee's final 'cake' offering of the week.

Friday 28 April 2023 - Craiganour (6) - Stob na Cruaiche

Cloud beyond Rannoch Forest

Whilst Sue chose another train ride to explore the dizzy heights of Beinn na Lap, I joined Robin, Keith, Carol, David, Tom and Mac for a stroll along the Stob na Cruaiche ridge to its 739 metre summit overlooking Rannoch Moor.

Deer, lizards, a small adder, and fabulous views saw us over some modest peat hags on our way to the summit for lunch.

Julie would have been seen far below on her own little summit, Leathad Mor, had we chosen the right timing for binoculars.

A steep, tussocky descent to a track saw us back at our starting point, Rannoch Station, by 5pm after another day of excellent weather.

Today's walk was about 17km, taking about 5.5 hours. 

Later - More pictures from today:

Setting off from Rannoch Station (Glasgow 87, Fort William 35)

Climbing through the forest above Dubh Lochan.

Looking back towards Loch Rannoch.

On or near the summit of Meall Liath na Doire

How many different mosses and lichens here?

In Memory of John MacLaren and Constance Pearson

Here's the view towards Rannoch from the memorials, with David in traditional pose.

We reassembled on Meall a'Bhurich.

Before marching to the summit of Stob na Cruaiche (739 metres).

There were extensive views over Rannoch Moor towards Black Mount.

Then a steep descent to the north led to a good forest track all the way back to Rannoch Station.

Spot the train! Deltic Class? No, it has gone! Spot Schiehallion?

The hotel at Rannoch Station

Today's route - 17km, 650 metres ascent, 6 hours.

Plenty of time for a pre dinner aperitif.

Thursday 27 April 2023 - Craiganour (5) - Loch Rannoch

With rain forecast, six of us (me, Sue, Phil, Sue, Richard and Tove) elected to ride around the Loch that Craiganour Lodge overlooks. Here in the lodge we also have a good view over a field of Highland cattle, enhanced from time to time by the presence of greylag geese, oyster catchers, and red squirrels scampering along the dry stone walls.

We took a clockwise route after a speedy descent from the lodge, soon passing through Kinloch Rannoch and encountering Robin and Jenny, out for a bike/walk.

Luckily the forecast rain turned out to be very light drizzle at loch level, but it looked unpleasant higher up.

There were numerous information boards placed at strategic intervals beside the loch, enumerating the fortunes and misfortunes of the various local clans.

At Bridge of Gaur we stopped to admire the daffodils outside the Rev A E Robertson's chapel, though the building was sadly locked.

We then stopped at Eddie and Heather's guest house in Bridge of Gaur, but they appeared to be away.

So we pedalled on along the quiet road, for lunch back at base.

Today's bike ride was about 40km, taking a little over three hours. 

Later - More pictures from today:

Loch Rannoch from Kinloch Rannoch.

The weir at Kinloch Rannoch.

A E Robertson's chapel at Bridge of Gaur.

An escapee from the tartan exhibition?

Where are you, Eddie and Heather and Thomas?

Views from the north shore.

Craiganour from the loch road.

Our 40km route - with 250 metres ascent, we went clockwise.

Relaxing before dinner.