Iolair-Bhara
The Arrochar Hills
It was whilst cycling in the higher Renfrewshire lanes (something I can do that involves a manageable amount of discomfort), wallowing in loathsome self-pity, that the sight of the distant, gleaming, snow-topped Highland Line punched through my self-imposed exile from the hills.
I resolved to doing what I had to do the following day in order to record something doing justice to this marvellous autumn spectacle.
The fine weather held the following morning as I plotted a painfully slow course up Beinn Dubh's long south-east ridge; a feature that taunts visitors by providing a series of 'false summits' along the way.
A handful of 'shooting stars' & the last roaring remnants of the stag rut were welcome distractions in the darkness. Red grouse periodically directing me to "GO-BACK!", "GO-BACK!", were nearly successful for once, as I sought out the least rough ground.
Eventually confronted by this vision, it hit home to me that many like-minded hill-lovers may never make it this far - & that I can still consider it the greatest privilege that I can.
The Arrochar Hills
It was whilst cycling in the higher Renfrewshire lanes (something I can do that involves a manageable amount of discomfort), wallowing in loathsome self-pity, that the sight of the distant, gleaming, snow-topped Highland Line punched through my self-imposed exile from the hills.
I resolved to doing what I had to do the following day in order to record something doing justice to this marvellous autumn spectacle.
The fine weather held the following morning as I plotted a painfully slow course up Beinn Dubh's long south-east ridge; a feature that taunts visitors by providing a series of 'false summits' along the way.
A handful of 'shooting stars' & the last roaring remnants of the stag rut were welcome distractions in the darkness. Red grouse periodically directing me to "GO-BACK!", "GO-BACK!", were nearly successful for once, as I sought out the least rough ground.
Eventually confronted by this vision, it hit home to me that many like-minded hill-lovers may never make it this far - & that I can still consider it the greatest privilege that I can.