Wet and wild hills

The weather prospects did not look good at all as Our Lady of Lourdes Hikers set off to Callander and the Ben A’an area on Saturday morning.

The plan for the day involved the high walkers going to the summit of Ben A’an and then completing a circuit over Meall Gainmheich, around by Lochan nan Ni and down to the shore of Loch Katrine while the low group would walk from a point close to Brig O’ Turk following a new path east to finish in Callander, passing over Dunmore Hill and Bochastle Hill on the way.

The low group was dropped off first at Glenfinglas Visitor Gateway where waterproofs were donned.

The wind and the rain were, unfortunately, blowing from the east requiring the hikers to face into the weather and whilst this was not too much of a problem in sheltered, wooded areas it did prove to be uncomfortable in exposed areas of hillside.

By the time the group reached Dunmore Hill the rain was quite heavy and a decision was made to miss out the short ascent up to the old fort on its summit and instead move on to Bochastle Hill and climb up to the very large rock which is referred to as Samson’s Stone.

The remainder of the walk into Callander was an easy stroll but it was a very wet group which sought shelter in the coffee shops and watering holes of the town as they waited on their high level friends joining them in the social hour.

The high level group started their ascent of Ben A’an, which is one of the most popular of Scotland’s smaller hills and it is often referred to as “The Mountain in Miniature”.

Its location in the middle of The Trossachs makes it a really spectacular viewpoint on a good day. However, once hikers entered the mist all meaningful visibility was lost.

The heather and undergrowth was long and difficult to walk through and, of course, everything was soaking wet, but eventually they reached the 564m summit.

From here it was more or less downhill to the shore of Loch Katrine.

Visibility was very poor but the small isolated Lochan nan Ni was located and the group were then confident they were following the correct course.

Another high fence had to be crossed and an area of very rough forest ground crossed before the relative comfort of the small road alongside Loch Katrine was reached.

The thoroughly wet group were very glad to pile on to the waiting bus at Loch Katrine and change into dry clothing, thus completing a hard and uncomfortable walk of some five hours.

The social hour in Callander was very welcome indeed.

The club’s next outing is to Comrie and the Loch Turret area on Saturday, October 29, and the sign-on is tomorrow (Thursday) when there will also be a committee meeting.

For more information visit www. ololhikingclub.co.uk or e-mail ololhikingclub@yahoo.co.uk or call Charles on 01355 222464.