Thursday, 6 February 2025

Ben Gullipen

 6 February 2025

Where: Ben Gullipen, 414m/1,358', P 63m, Tump, OS 57, NN 596 044

I last climbed Ben Gullipen south of Callander in 2005 on the way to the Marilyn, Beinn Dearg. Didn't take any photos on that occasion so another visit was due.
Took a chance today that a forecast of lots of cloud might be wrong; it wasn't, but I hung around the top for long enough to claim a partial success. It was a clear blue sky when I left home but the cloud built as I drove north and the hills were clagged in when I got to the start point.
There was nothing to see when I reached the top but perseverance paid off and after about 20 minutes there was a partial clearance. On this occasion I didn't carry on to Beinn Dearg, the going in between the two hills is the worst of the worst although it looked as if there might now be a partial path between the tussocks.

The approach to the summit from half way up the path (taken on the way down)........


Misty at the top.....

Looking down on Loch Venachar.....


Lochan Balloch and Loch Venachar.....


Beinn Dearg above Lochan Balloch.....


Summit looking much clearer when I left.....


Ben Ledi still in cloud.....



Sunday, 2 February 2025

Law Hill (Ochils)- Repeat visit

31 January 2024

Where: Law Hill (Ochils), 202m/663', P 36m, Tump, OS 58, NS 976 992

My first hill walk of 2025 after a pretty miserable start to the year weatherwise and a back problem. I think that I'll probably be concentrating on the more scenic small hills this year (with some new Tumps among them!) rather than charging about visiting odd patches of rough ground in search ao another "tick". Also concentrating more on photography.

Today I started by revisiting Law Hill which is east of Dollar on the south fringes of the Ochil Hills. It was a dull day when I was last here, not so today. If I can get more days like this I will be well pleased.

Law Hill from the north, the approach was from the Law Community woodland.....


A nice little copse of trees at the summit, glad to see that they survived the recent storm.....


Looking to King's Seat Hill, Tarmangie Hill and Whitewisp Hill.....



Looking west, the Campsie Fells can just be made out on the horizon.....


Looking to the east top from the summit.....


Looking south to the Craigluscar hills.....


I carried on the the east top which has the trig and from where there was a fine view back to the main summit with King's Seat Hill in the background.....



On the way back I had a walk through the woodland park.