Glen Fruin

A loop on the hills overlooking Auchengaich reservoir. Parked on the access road to the reservoir, straight up Auchengaich hill, just a steady walk, onto the ridge and the argo track, ran up Tharsuinn and over to Chaorach, good day for a run, a bit of sun and a breeze. Along the top of Chaorach followed the fence line into the glen, retrieved a couple of plastic bottles I left during LDFF then chased some deer up A'Mhanaich, they got away. Easy run down to the glen over Maol Am Fheidh and The Strone.

Fairy Glen Trail Race

7 of us set off for this short 3 lap/almost 3 mile trail race, nice evening, sunny with a breeze to keep the midgies away, ran in second place all the way, finished 30 odd seconds down on the winner, and was a few seconds slower each lap but quicker overall than last year.

Loch Garbad and Eas Mor from Seal Bay

Another weekend away, a long postponed ferry trip mean we chose Arran, after a night in Brodick we set off for Seal Bay Campsite at Kildonan, found a shortish trail to Loch Garbad on Walking The Highlands, 5 or 6 miles, the first and last mile on the road, although I saw a few paths that could have reduced that. The trail starts beside a cafe with a sort drop over a bridge/river then a steep climb beside a stream, the trail passes a tikki style outdoor bar then a small cottage called The Library, its internal walls and roof covered in messages, notes and stories left by the visitors along with a few books. the trail exits the forest and climbs gently for another mile or so then a short steep grassy path that tops out at the loch, a narrow path seemed to skirt the loch but I turned back towards the forest, took a path down the other side of the stream passing the Eas Mor waterfall, impressive height even if there wasn't much water, back on the road for a mile or so running through the village of Kildonan and its impressive beach side properties.

 

Stob Ban

Glen Nevis campsite for the weekend and an opportunity for a run over my favourite hill, Stob Ban in the Mamores. Forecast was for heavy rain all day, got lucky, dry and mostly clear. Got a lift to the Lower Falls car park and set off up the rough path between Stob Ban and Sgurr a'Mhaim, ran bits but a brisk walk for much of the climb up to the ridge, the tops clear as I ascended, ran along the ridge to the rocky climb to Stob Bans airy summit, the clouds rolled in as I climbed, soon on top, not much of a view but good to be there again, a few minutes taking it all in then back down the way I came, the steep rocky descent much easier on the way down, ran along the ridge, looking back the top had cleared again. Jog and walked down the rough path back to the Lower Falls, the forest track bacK to the campsite seemed to be covered in trucks and machines so I ran down the road, 2 1/2 miles of not so nice tarmac, the views were good.

LDFF

Planned this run for a few years, first time was in 2022 when I was 60, injured myself in the lead up to the run, similarly in '23 & '24, this year I altered my training load, reducing my longest runs from 7 or 8 hours to 6 hours. Picked a couple of dates at the beginning of June with a three or 4 week taper and watched the weather forecast, Fri 6th June looked good, a couple of showers at worst. Would liked to have got round under 12 hours but my stats said otherwise, based on walking the ups, running the flats and downs, anything from 14 to 17 hours, (70% to 85% of Naismiths walking metrics). To make use of the daylight I planned a 6 am start. (Headtorch in bag!). 

First section Luss to Glen Douglas, two of the biggest climbs to start, about 11 miles, target 4.5 hours, made it in 4 hours 10, hardest part was walking and relatively slowly, I usually run these climbs. Caught a shower off the top of Doune Hill, hard work at the bottom of the hill, bracken much longer than last time, took a 10 minute refuel stop.

Beinn Dubh and Beinn Eich from Beinn Dubh

Second section Glen Douglas, target 3.5  hours, made it in 3 hours 20, rougher section, particularly between Beinn Reoch and Tullich Hill, not many paths, sheep/deer tracks and tussocks. 15 minute refuel, raining again while I refuelled. 

Glen Douglas Hills from Mid Hill

3rd section, Glen Douglas to Glen Fruin, target 3.5 hours, made it in 3 hours 20. Longest climb about 2.5 miles to Cruach an t Sidhein, A tough climb quickly followed by a shorter but steeper climb up a' Mhanaich, glad to see those two done. 10 minute refuel in Glen Fruin.

Climb to Cruach an t Sidhein

4th Section Glen Fruin to the finish, target 4 hours, made it in 3.5 hours, last big climb to start to Beinn Chaorach, after that the route undulates down hill over half a dozen hills, the route between the last two hills Creaghan hill & Cruach Dubh crosses a lot of ferns and tussocks to balance distance with ease of running on paths. The tussocks usually win.

View from Tharsuinn to Balcnock & Creag an Leinibh

Overall target was 15.5 hours plus stops, happy to finish just under 15 hours. Low point of the day was the ankle trashing traverse up the glen from Glen Douglas towards Cruach an t Sidhein. Photos from the day here. Phone gave out at the top of Creag an Leinbh, none after that. For more info see my LDFF page. 

Fruin reservoir loop

Short long run this week, a run round the hills surrounding Auchengaich reservoir. Parked in the access road to the reservoir and ran along to the Strone, walked until I got onto the ridge then an easy run to Maol Am Fheidh. Dropped down into the glen aT the watershed between Luss and Fruin then another walk up Chaorach, ran and walked from Chaorach to Tharsuin then down to Auchengaich and the steep drop to the foot of the glen. Most of the run spent in clouds/mist, a bit damp and visibility down to 50 to 100 yards makes navigation a wee bit trickier and slower on the pathless sections.

Auchengaich reservoir from the Strone

Chaorach

Ardmore from Chaorach

Auchengaich reservoir from Auchengaich hill

Ben Bowie Trail Race

Back to the original route after some kind  lumberjack cleared the trees and remade the path. 6 of us set off, some a bit earlier than others. Tried not to go too hard up the initial climb then pushed on towards the top. Hard work going up through the forest on the remade path and up to the ponds, after that mostly downhill with only the odd short climb. Kept a steady pace on the way back eased back through the woods on the new path and again towards the bottom on the rocky path down Stoney.

Bromley Muir, Killoeter and Ben Bowie

Back to local hills this week and misty conditions. Easier run with a lot less ascent but that means running all the way. Ground still very dry, the usual bogs slightly spongy at worst, Mount Malow first then along to the Bromley Muir Trig, continue along the moor to the Stoneymollan/Three Lochs Way taking the diversion onto the Killoeter ridge. Followed the ridge to the forest trail towards Helensburgh turning off/up the trail to Ben Bowie. Return via Three Lochs Way and Stoneymollan, no views but good to be out.

Cairn at Mount Malow/Carman Fort

Bromley Trig

Kiloeter

Ben Bowie

      

Arrochar Hill Run

 Sizzling hot day set off earlyish for a run over Vane, Ime, Narnain and the Cobbler. Glen Loin trail to start, a few walkers out here, got to the start of Vanes path and eased into a steady walk, thankfully a nice breeze once I gained some height, passed loads of walkers going up and down, slowed on the top third or so in the heat. Got to the top, no one else there, took a few minutes to refuel and take in the views. Easy run down grassy slopes avoiding the crags into Lag Uaine, back into walk mode for the trudge up to Glas Bealach then on up to Ime, only met one walker going in the opposite direction between Vane and Ime's summits, slowed again towards the top of this stiff climb. At the top of Ime back into the crowds, another pause to refuel and take in the views from Jura to Ben Nevis. Short easy run down to Bealach a Mhaim then the up to Narnain, started to cramp on the climb and it took a couple of Salt Stick Fast Chews to ease the pain. It's a short climb and soon on top, refuelled and set off for the Cobbler, thankfully a shortish climb up here as well, loads of walkers out enjoying the fine day. left the summit via the An t Sron ridge, much quieter, although still busier than usual, at the end of the ridge dropped down and cooled my feet in the Buttermilk Burn before crossing the walkers path and taking the argo track back to Succoth. A fine day to enjoy these steep wee hills.

Ben and Loch Lomond from Vane

Ime (r) Narnain (l) & The Cobbler from Vane

Lui Munros from Vane

Vane from Ime, Lochs Lomond, Arklet and Katrine to the right

Beinn an Lochain and Butterbridge from Ime

Ben Lomond from Narnain

The Cobbler from Narnain

Ime (l) Vane (mid) & Narnain (r) from The Cobbler

Glen Fruin

Set off mid morning for a run over a few Fruin hills. Parked in Glen Fruin ran up the old road towards the reservoir along the Haul road and up The Strone to Maol Am Fheidh, left the ridge and crossed the glen at the watershed between Fruin and Luss for the steepish trudge up to Beinn Chaorach, return was over a few undulations following the ridge to Tharsuin and on to Balcnoc overlooking Glen Finlas, ran down the ridge for a few hundred yards before dropping into the glen to cross the Bayvoulin burn and one last short climb to Auchengaich hill, easy run down to the Fruin access road picking out the least tussocky ground. Nice breeze on the ridges, a bit warm in the glens.

Ardmore Point from Beinn Chaorach

Arrochar Alps from Chaorach

Loch Lomond and Finlas reservoir from Balcnoc

Bayvoulin burn

 

Stuc A Chroin 5000

Back for another go at the Stuc Hill Race, about 350 runners in for this Scottish and British Championship race, typical Stuc weather, sun and blue skies. Forest road and path to start to Meall Mor, steep drop into Glen Ample, more difficult on the way back. Beinn Each next, a slow single file climb from the Glen to the top of this Corbett, difficult to overtake and probably could have gone a bit quicker. From the top a short steep rocky descent to a ridge that undulates up to the top of the Stuc a couple of miles away, mostly runnable with a few short steep climbs over minor tops, the last half mile a walk. Round the summit cairn and down the rocky ridge, thankfully the route turns into Glen Ample instead of back over Each, easy running down then an ankle straining traversing descent to the bottom of the Glen and everyone's favourite climb out Glen Ample renamed Crample for the next 15 minutes of trudging up the 600' in half a mile climb. 3 miles form here to the finish over Meall Mor and through forest paths and roads, mostly downhill with a few short climbs to keep it interesting, finished 8 minutes quicker than last year, about 1 1/2 minutes outside my target.

Gathering for the start

Forest trail 1 1/2 miles into the race

 

Glen Striddle Horseshoe

Short long run this week, out and back over Beinn Dubh and Mid Hill, turned back three quarters of the way down to the top of Glen Luss, back over Mid Hill and Beinn Dubh. Low cloud meant no views, sheep and bluebells for company. Managed a slow jog both ways, only stopping for a couple of pictures.

Stoneymollan Hill Race

Club Hill Race, just under 5 miles with 1200' of ascent, 9 of us this year, started in reverse order, lack of patience meant the later starters went early and gave the handicapper (me) some maths to work out who won, not me. Pleased to get round a bit quicker this year, about 3 mins off last years time but another couple required to get to pre covid times. Great night, ground reasonable dry with a bit of give.

Glen Douglas

Back to Glen Douglas for the first time in a year, longer run planned, a circuit of the hills on the Loch Lomond side of the glen then across the Glen for a couple of other hills. Parked in the hill access car park and set off for Beinn Bhreac, steady walk up, followed the quad bike track until I could see the fence then straight up, over the fence and it's a short walk/trot to the trig point, good views but a bit limited with the low cloud. Easy run towards Ben Reoch on a quad bike track beside a fence, walked the uphill then left the track as it dropped towards Loch Lomond, a short tussock bash and I'm on top. Tullich Hill next via the Spotty Trig at Monadh Tighe Na Laraich, mostly tussocks with the odd faint path where I could find it. Good views to Arrochar and the Alps from the Spotty Trig. From here faint paths wind up towards Tullich they disappear as the gradient increases. Over the top and descend a better path on the eastern ridge until it reaches the new plantation of native & conifer trees. Stumble down to a track 3/4's of the way through the trees that goes along towards the back entrance to the MOD missile store. Use their bridge to cross the river and set off round the outside of the fence, prohibited area warning signs frown on me as I run along. Back into walk mode as it gets steeper, a well worn path follows the outside of the fence. Leave the fence at the back of the compound and head up a glen towards Cruach an t Sidhein, another handy bridge gets me across a stream onto the North ridge of this steep wee hill, a cold wind makes for hard going, reluctant to stop to refuel, should have as the climb took longer and felt harder than it should. Didn't hang about on top in the blustery wind, jogged down the steep drop for a quick refuel before the climb up to Beinn Lochain. One more hill to go, Doune Hill, but its got 2 tops, thought about going round the 2nd top but it only took a few minutes to go over. Descent via the east ridge to avoid the crags, pleasant grassy quad bike track to start then mostly sheep mown ground before a tussock bash to the river and haven of my car.

Arrochar Alps from Bhreac, looking between Tullich left, Reoch right

Top of Loch Lomond from Bhreac

Tullich from Reoch

The Spotty Trig silhouetted against The Brack from Reoch, 

Arrochar from the Spotty Trig

Cruach an T Sidhein, back right and Doune Hills 2 tops in cloud on the left from Tullich

Beinn Eich from Cruach an t Sidhein

Doune Hills top from its 2nd (lower) top, you can just see the Trig