Friday 20 November 2009

Meikle Bin,Campsie Fells.

The recent floods in the Lake District had us keeping an even keener eye than usual on the forecast.The weekend prediction was dire,even for Scotland in November and thats saying something indeed,so, we opted for a Friday jaunt.There was a brightish spell hanging over the area to the north of Glasgow set to last until around 1pm which restricted our choice of hill somewhat.

Craig of Monievreckie near Aberfoyle suited the bill,for me at least, being a new Marilyn and being the beneficiary of a trig point on the summit as well.Only 1,100 feet of ascent and protected from the wind in the initial forest stages.However with everyone`s preoccupation with the events in the Lakes we never bothered checking the state of play on the roads to Aberfoyle.As luck would have it we were diverted by flooding on the A81 to Aberfoyle near Balfron Station and forced eastwards on the A811 through Buchlyvie.Bob,luxuriating in the co-pilots seat,had a birds eye view across the Pendicles of Collymoon ( been dying to blog that placename for months..! ) towards the Trossachs and announced that the hills were covered in clag.The Campsies however had a little bit of sunshine upon them so we took a right turn at another road block and diverted over the Kippen Muir road at Arnprior heading for Fintry and the car park opposite Todholes farm.Meikle Bin was now the days objective.


A local woman from Milton of Campsie turned up to walk her three rescue dogs and we accompanied her along the initial stages by the shores of Loch Carron.Turned out she had been a rock climber and had climbed with a mutual friend in years gone by....it`s small world sometimes.As usual we had a well used map and as luck would have it the area detailing the forest rides was practically illegible but our new friend pointed us up the appropriate forest ride.For the benefit of anybody else using the Todholes approach here they are.....

Along the lochside from the carpark and take the third on the right about 100 metres past a concrete bridge over the river Carron,up this and take the second ride on the right and folow it uphill until you reach this point....


From here put on your wellies and snorkel,say a prayer if you are that way inclined and launch yourself through the swamp to gain the open hillside.If you make it this far success is assured :)

Exiting the far end of the Swamp from Hell...



Not a lot of pics as the for the main part this route is through Sitka City.
A wee bit of blue sky for us looking back to Stroned and Fintry as we exit the forest.Stronend is a fine hill and well worth saving for a good day.



An old scanned pic of Ben Lomond from Stronend......



Over the Carron Reservoir to the wind farm on the Gargunnock hills....


It was blowing a gale and pretty nippy to boot.Gloves and hat made their first appearance since Kaim Hill in March.

The soggy trig point...



We didn`t hang around for long and made off quickly via the remains of the crashed Fairey Firefly just below the summit....



Above is the wing section with the two cannons showing on the right hand side.Apparently these were the aircraft that put paid to the Tirpitz according to the following site which has more information...

Fairey Firefly

Another return bout with the Swamp from Hell saw us back on the forest ride leading back to Loch Carron.As forecast it started to rain about 5 minutes from the car....

7 comments:

blueskyscotland said...

It says something about the weather when even we are struggling to post a sunny entry for the last two weeks in November. The most trying month on the calender.Having said that, we are still dry although muddy and pretty windswept. Looking forward to better times ahead.Do your worst winter!I deny your entry into our world!Now, always and forever!
bob

Anonymous said...

Home sweet home! (lol) My most walked hill. I assume you didn't go chasing the other pieces of the plane?

I've still to update my ever expanding "Tail" on this hill as I received an email from a gentleman who owns the fishery telling me there are bits of the plane in the reservoir which can be seen in low water...along with some of the buildings that stood there before the valley was flooded.

blueskyscotland said...

Must have been some impact to send the debris all the way down to the loch..! I`ve seen the old drove road bridge in the middle of Loch Loyne between Tomdoun and the Cluanie inn years ago.Doubt if I`ll ever get the chance again if this weather keeps up :)
There`s usually an osprey up the Carron most summers too...

Alistair said...

Brings back memories! once cycled up the Meikle though had to carry it up from the burn at the back.
btw - your blog is mentioned in this month's Scottish Mountaineer!

Brian and Martina said...

as well as yours stravaiger- you top the list (well after chris townsend and cameron mcneish but they had to mention those 2 ! )

The Glebe Blog said...

Congrats on your mention in the Scottish Mountaineer,and of course blogging the Pendicles of Collymoon(As of today,Google page 2,third entry)

Paul (Early Ooters) said...

Greetings from the Early Ooters.

Was out doing a reccy for an Early Ooter walk. Walked up to Meikle Bin from Kilsyth Golf Club and had intended to descend into Queenzieburn. However, ascent was unpleasant - pretty trackless until I got on the ridge. So instead walked back along ridge via Garrel Hill and Tomtain to Tak ma Doon Road. Now think we'll do your ascent from Todholes and along ridge to Tak ma Doon road. Cars at each end and snorkels for the boggy bits. The ridge wasn't too boggy once I'd found a bit of a path. Walked about 13 miles today but projected walk will only be 8 or so.