The Buck i' the Cabrach

Aye, that's recht. Had been bidin' with my grandfather in Macduff and on the wey back doon to Glasgow, I speirt masel if I wis needin tae di a wee hill. Aye min! I parkit the car just aff the B9002 and made for Dry Know - well, it wis onythin but! Mind you, the wee pathy huds weel to thon fince and afore lang, I hid the views bain to Ben Rinnes (fit like Davie?) and recht ower the Cairngorms - trappit in between the fog and the cloud. Fit a size o' cairn at the top - huge mongled big steens as if they'd been thrust oot the grun min. Naebody aroon, hid 5 tae masel and then plodded back doon and roon aboot. Fit a fine wee hill. Ta ta.

The Glen Striddle horseshoe

As I was on-call, I couldn't stray too far from Glasgow so I opted for this wee morning out, near Luss. I was at the car park within 45 minutes of leaving the house and away over the wee bridge, I had driven under so many times. From there, I fair pelted up the slopes of Beinn Dubh, with lovely views back across Loch Lomond - it looked so peaceful. The good wee path took me up over the first bump before the second bump surprised - as ever, this wasn't the summit. Views were now opening up across to Beinn Chaorach and Beinn Eich however, the cloud was rolling over the hills. Once at the beautifully appointed cairn, I decided to carry on and go over the peaty, rolling Mid-hill before a quick trot down the steep slopes to the wee farm. A quick stretch along the road brought me back to my starting point after 3 hours. Fit a crowd there was. A nice wee leg-stretcher and one for Winter, no doubt about it.

Beinn Bharrain - Mullach Buidhe

Having never set foot on Arran, I had booked a full weekend over in Kildonan for some nice wee hills. As I dis-embarked at Brodick, Goatfell looked lovely and I drove down to Kildonan to meet my landlady. Beautiful views across Plodda and Ailsa Craig were not really appreciated as I just wanted to get into those hills!! I could revel in that in the mornings and evenings to come. Unfortunately my wife was working so it meant I'd have the weekend to myself. And as it was 1400, I knew I had limited time to get up to Pirnmill and have a wee jaunt over Beinn Bharrain. I was surprised by the twisty turny roads and it took me a while to get to the wee PO road starting point, for 1500. Gadzooks, I'd need to motor if I wanted aff before supper-time. The walk through the woods and up by the waterfall was most pleasant and my objective came into view. I had decided I would tackle the mini 'A'Chir' route along the ridge to Mullach Buidhe before the main meal tomorrow of A'Chir proper! The walk up on to the bobbly knoll was a little tricky due to the huge slabs and the holes my feet kept finding. Once on to the ridge proper, it was a pleasant wee scramble along and over some massive slabs/rocks. Much fun was had and as it was nearing 1700, I was keen to hit the summit and head back down. Unfortunately, the cloud moved in and my views weren't great but this wee Graham is a fab hill. I descended back via the corrie and was back at the car before long. A final glance back before descending into the trees saw the hill in fine early evening glow. A great wee hill, which I'd fully encourage those to not miss out on, even though the Corbett caviar in Glen Rosa/Sannox is so alluring. But that would be day 2 of my Arran escapade. I'll have the Cir Royale please..