Pitlochry Weekend Meet, Atholl Centre. 14-16 February 2025
A weekend, largely of rain, sleet and low cloud saw the exploration of smaller hills and sampling the delights of the cafés and hostelries in the Pitlochry area. The former gave some nice and interesting walks; the latter gave equally pleasant experiences.
Only John and Robin ventured onto higher tops. John on Carn Liath (Beinn a’Ghlo) and Robin on the Shee of Ardtalnaig (or Ciste Buide a’ Chlaidheimh).
John writes - I couldn’t make it down on the Friday so headed to Beinn a’Ghlo on the Saturday morning. A bit overcast so no sign of the tops. After climbing Carn Liath I continued on the ridge out the back but as the cloud was below the col level didn’t do the second Munro but took the path from the col back down to the east. Great new path built from about half way down which was much appreciated! The weather forecast was better to the north on Sunday so decided to head to Meall a’Bhuachaille starting at Glenmore Lodge. However the school half term meant no parking spaces available so I headed up Geal-charn Mor instead at Lynwilg - sun shining and nice crisp snow at the top.
Peter writes - On Saturday Marion and I set off towards Ben Vrackie, without really intending to go to the top because of the weather (that's our excuse, anyway). Everything above Loch a' Choire was in cloud, so we followed the path round the far side of the loch and back over the shoulder to join the 'bealach path' to Killiekrankie, then over the bealach at 600m to rejoin our outward route. We were back early enough to enjoy soup and a drink at the Moulin Inn.
On Sunday we met friends for coffee at the Scottish Deli in Dunkeld. Then at their suggestion we parked at Dunkeld station for a walk, and made our way up Birnam hill 404m; steeply through woods on one side to the excellent viewpoint of the 'King's seat' on the summit, then back by a longer and more gradual route on the other side. The rain had stopped before we set out, and it turned into a pleasant afternoon. A good weekend.
Birnam Hill was also a destination for Arthur on Friday - a return visit for the first time in more than sixty years! Friday also saw Arthur visit little Glen Shee to climb Creag na Criche, impressively guarded by deer fences but, contrary to some reports, with pedestrian gates and stiles to give access.
Deuchary Hill from the Cally car park near Dunkeld was the destination for a group of seven (Ewen, Karolina, Fiona, Sharan, Margaret, Helen and Arthur) on Saturday. This gave us a super walk through mixed woodland passing several lochs before climbing steeply to the summit - which is reputedly a super viewpoint. But not today. We puzzled over some old abandoned forestry machinery and were excited to find evidence of beavers at Mill Dam, later finding out that they had been there for at least twenty years. A fine walk was rounded off with coffee and cake in the Birnam Arts Centre.
Old forestry machinery?
Mill Dam with evidence of beavers
evidence of beavers
Deuchary Hill summit
On Saturday Michael walked from the hostel in Pitlochry to find the Rob Roy Way, then along that to the high point and then down to Grandtully, then returning the way he had come -16+km and over 600m of ascent.
Sunday morning was very wet in Pitlochry, but that did not deter folk. Peter and Marion went up Birnam Hill (above). Fiona and Helen did the Craigower Circuit walk, commenting that it was a nice wee walk and drier than expected, and but that they didn't visit a cafe afterwards, unusually!
Ewen did a short walk on Sunday; up to Caisteal Dubh near Grandtully which is a walk up a forestry track, perhaps better done by bike. But it's well worth it for the view. Little remains of the Pictish fort, but there are great views even in the indifferent conditions on Sunday. And I visited the Watermill for a coffee and a browse of the books!
Robin, Sharan and Arthur travelled home via Dun Coillich, a Marilyn to the east of Schiehallion. Although the OS map shows none of it, Fiona was able to tell us that this area was subject to a Community buy out and is now a community forest with a net work of paths and woodland planting. It also turned out that the OS defined centre of mainland Scotland is a short distance NE from the summit. A biting easterly wind driving sleet into our faces meant that we left that for another visit. Robin gives the location - it is at NN76731-53751 which is approx. 495 metres from the summit, slightly north of due east and 90 metres lower on a bearing of about 78 degrees.
Taking part: Ewen, Karolina, Fiona, Sharan, Margaret, Helen, John, Robin, Peter, Marion, Michael and Arthur.
Words: John, Peter, Arthur, Michael, Helen and Ewen
Photos: John, Arthur, Helen and Sharan
A blink of sun after the morning rain
Our hill is over there
Dun Coillich summit
Sharan and Robin on Dun Coillich
Sharan and Robin taking shelter from the wind
The descent