Monday, 19 January 2015

Loch Lomondside in Winter.

                                                 ALL PHOTOS CLICK FULL SCREEN
Although I slept in and missed Graeme, Alex, and David's trip to the mountains of the east coast in deep snow (sorry guys) I did manage to get out the next day, Sunday, as the weather was too good to miss. Full winter conditions come to  Ben Lomond, see photo above, with the Island of Inchmurrin in front.
Luss Church and graveyard looking fairly snowy as well.
 The Luss hills above the village of the same name. Popular Scottish TV series Take the High Road was filmed here over many years and it still draws in loads of visitors, even in winter. The Paps, Cruach Dhubh and Beinn Ruiag direction.
Probably Fieldfares but might be Redwings. Thrushes anyway. Covers all the options :o)
Bullfinch.
Assorted Geese and Ben Lomond.
Luss, Hill walkers and Islands in Loch Lomond.
Navy helicopter over the Firth of Clyde.
There used to be a boat that sailed from Derry/Londonderry nicknamed "The little green boat from Derry." This plane flies in most days to Glasgow airport (might be every day) and I always look up and think there's that little green plane again but I,m always too slow to photograph it on the zoom as it's a fast wee bugger and hard to locate in a wide sky. Nailed it at last with a decent image. Usually get a tail shot or a blur.
Luss was a busy place despite the snow but it's free parking in winter, in a large car park. (80 pence an hour in summer which mounts up if you're out for a full day on the hills)
 An eventful trip to these islands takes place in Chapter Four of my book Autohighography, which is a comedy about a fictional Glasgow hillwalking club. The underlying clues and some of the secrets contained throughout this book will be revealed at a later date as it does have hidden complexities you might not be aware of. It is not just "another hillwalking book" as that was never my intention when writing it. No politics in it at all as I wanted to create a fun book folk might actually read.


I finished the day on the return leg by heading for Dumbarton and sunset over the River Clyde at low tide and a stroll along the sands/mud flats. A magical experience and you could almost hear the mermaids sing.
The edge of the deep water channel near Langbank. A fine free walk.



The Firth of Clyde in Winter.


This was intended to be a cheery post so I,ll end with this upbeat cheery video. Amazing song and harmonica playing combined. Felix the Cat was the first big superstar of animation in the 1920s until the change from silent to talkies came in. Maybe a coincidence but the early Mickey Mouse cartoons, which came later and took over, bears a resemblance to Felix in shape and design.
Of course Disney went on to conquer the world market but they do seem similar. It's never stuck me how much until now.



Autohighography. First three chapters free to read here.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00JNAIGAO/ref=s9_simh_bw_p351_d3_i1?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=17N3DV6YZTHCKJ5AGX34&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=511296287&pf_rd_i=341689031



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7 comments:

  1. The Glebe Blog19 January 2015 at 17:15

    Hi Bob. I recognise Luss. Was there in 2005.
    I'm surprised you haven't commented on the camping bye laws the park authority wish to bring in. Lots of objections including my lot, the Ramblers.
    Great pictures as always. Well done getting the Aer Lingus plane.
    Crooks and Spongers ! I agree with most of what you say. There's a headline today saying that the world's richest 1% now have more wealth than the remaining 99%. And of course the don't need to do a thing.
    Interesting video, not Loves me like a rock as I first though.
    Well it made me listen to Paul Simon anyway which is always good for me.

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  2. Lux G.19 January 2015 at 17:21

    Looking at these photos and imagining myself inhaling the cold fresh air in the mountains and everywhere else in these magical places.

    Thanks for making me travel through your pictures without me leaving my table here. :)

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  3. blueskyscotland21 January 2015 at 01:04

    Hi Jim,
    Luss is a nice place and it's handy for me to visit. I,m not a fan of Scottish National Parks in general as they seem to funnel loads more people into a small area then have to bring in draconian laws to police them. Anti social behavior is the blight of the modern age though. Actually, and I,ll probably get stick for saying this, the general popularity for hillwalking and outdoor activity these days is worrying as many of the paths I've done recently are completely trashed due to a combination of wet weather and sheer numbers walking up them.Despite relatively large car parks near certain hills if you are not there early enough you wont get parked on a weekend visit. Luss,even in winter,was mobbed. It never used to be that busy at this time of year.

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  4. blueskyscotland21 January 2015 at 02:15

    Cheers SuperLux,
    Sorry to spoil the images with a rant but every now and then I've got to let rip at the state this country is in. Must be an age thing. Older folk like me don't like too much change occurring, especially when it doesn't appear to be an improvement :o)

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  5. Carol22 January 2015 at 01:22

    I think there does need to be control over roadside camping and the like around Loch Lomond and The Trossachs as they were getting sorely abused. I'm sure real campers will still be able to take their tents up the hill or up a lonely glen somewhere.

    You're also right about paths being trashed in wet weather. I won't walk up our 'crag' on the moors in wet weather as the path is starting to be visible from miles away as the peat erodes. But the less country-wise 'villagers' (townies who've moved here) aren't at all concerned and just continue to walk up whenever they feel like it. They've also been sledging the farmers' fields around the village when there isn't sufficient or hard-enough snow - thus causing terrible damage to the fields :-(

    Great photos. I haven't tried the Luss Hills yet but intend to sometime after I've finished the 'tops'.
    Carol.

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  6. blueskyscotland23 January 2015 at 02:02

    Hi Carol,
    Yes, I've even noticed the cities parks path network turning into muddy trenches due to being popular with joggers and walkers. All the parks are busy with little vans these days too,offering dog walking services. It seems to be a major growth industry in Glasgow now as it's very visible obviously when folk turn up with half a dozen dogs on leads.
    You,d enjoy the Luss Hills, The Campsies, Fintry Hills, and Kilpatricks if they don't get washed away.

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  7. Carol23 January 2015 at 21:14

    I wish next door's would have someone walk their poor sheepdog :-(
    Carol.

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