Ben Shee (Ochils)

13 August 2017

Participants: Neil and Ben
Where: Ben Shee, 516m/1,693', Tump, OS 58, NN 952 039

I was back in the Ochils quicker than expected! There was a good weather forecast for the morning but with rain then moving in from the afternoon. So a walk in the east seemed best. This time I parked further up Glendevon in the Woodland Trust Glen Sherup car park. A marked Trail which goes all the way to the summit of Ben Shee starts from there. The first mile or so is through Forestry Commission conifers after which a path drops down to the head of Glensherup reservoir. There were a lot of boats out and there was a fine view along the water to the upper glen with Tarmangie Hill in the far distance.....

 

 

We crossed the reservoir dam, passed the fishermen's' hut and went through a gate on to Woodland Trust land. Just as well there was a path- the ferns were head high.....

 

 

The Trust has planted thousands of trees and they are certainly a big improvement on the conifer plantations. However, they look as though they are going to become almost as impenetrable in places. Ben Shee came into sight above us.....

 

 

The path went well past the end of the reservoir before it took a right turn and headed up hill. There was a fine view back spoiled somewhat by the Steele's Knowe wind turbines.....

 

 

The path went up the west side of Ben Shee.....

 

 

and eventually levelled out providing a view into the next glen. Not sure what it's called- maybe it's the upper reaches of Glendevon as it contains the two Glendevon reservoirs.......

 

 

There was no chance of getting lost.....

 

 

and we were soon at the summit. There was nothing to mark the spot but it was a fine perch, with Fife's Lomond Hills in the background.....

 

 

I reckon that this is one of the best viewpoints in the Ochils. You are looking straight up Gleneagles with Ben Chonzie and its surrounding hills in the distance..... 

 

 

The two Glendevon reservoirs.....

 

 

And I think best of all a view of the wide expanse of this range of hills with Ben Cleuch in the distance. Just a pity about the wind turbines. You could wander for miles up here without seeing anyone else; I certainly had it to myself while I would imagine that the higher hills around Ben Cleuch would have had a steady stream of visitors......

 

 

Ben certainly liked it!.....

 

 

We could have carried on over the hill and made a round but I thought that there might be sheep on the non-Woodland Trust land so decided just to go back the same way. A good way to spend a Sunday morning and I spotted plenty more hills that I hadn't yet visited.