Tumping around Oban-4 (Isle of Kerrera)

 24 April 2024

Where: Barr Dubh, 114m/374', P 48m, Tump, OS 49, NM 828 293 and Barr nan Cadhag, 114m/374', P 40m, Tump, OS 49, NM 823 295

My final day of the short trip and I was up early to get the first ferry to Kerrera, a five minute journey from Gallanach......

From the ferry terminal on the island I headed straight inland on a good track. Just before reaching Balliemore farm, I headed north over grassy sheep pastures with Barr Dubh now in view..... 

There were a couple of burn and fence crossings but with bridges and gates just where they were needed and I was soon on the slopes of the hill. Looking across the valley to my next objective, Barr nan Cadhag with Mull beyond.....

Looking north.....

Looking south to Carn Breugach, the highest hill on Kerrera which I had done a couple of times before.....

I dropped back down to rejoin the main track which I followed for a bit until it forked and then picked up other tracks which took me to Barr nan Cadhag. The approach.....

Me on the summit of Barr nan Cadhag with the Mull mountains beyond.....

Looking north to the Ardgour and Etive mountains.....

Mull......

There was no shortage of tracks hereabouts so I crossed country back to the main track where I came across this local craft shop which relies on honesty box payments.....

Then it was back to the ferry terminal where I sat around for awhile in the sunshine watching the ferry crossing to and from the mainland.....

An excellent short day, there were a lot of visitors to the island but I had these two hills to myself. Still two Tumps to do on Kerrera, one each at the north and south ends of the island so a reason to come back. I certainly recommend a trip to Kerrera!

Tumping around Oban-3 (Craignure, Mull)

 23 April 2024

Where: Druim Mor (Craignure), 81m/266', P 40m, Tump, OS 49, NM 727 359.

This was a tourism day with a Tump thrown in. It was a beautiful calm sunny day and the sail was great. Druim Mor was to the south of the terminal overlooking the sound of Mull. I walked up the road past the garage- 200 yards or so further on I took the signposted track to Torosay castle. Where it forked, I took the right hand branch into a grassy field which led to a communications station, the summit was just beyond. After the Tump, I wandered around Craignure and the coastal paths and visited the excellent coffee shop before another lovely sail back to Oban.

Tump summit and view of Craignure.....

Craignure coastal path view.....

Eilean Musdile lighthouse at the south end of Lismore.....

Leaving Mull.....

Arriving in Oban.....

Tumping around Oban-2 (Seil Island)

 22 April 2024

Where: Barr Mor (Seil Island), 100m/328', P 79m, Tump, OS 55, NM 754 160

I drove to Seil Island crossing the Bridge over the Atlantic, took the road to Cuan, and parked in the car park at Kilbrandon church. A gate led to the track that went past Barr Mor to the Ellenabeich road. Approaching Barr Mor.....

It was another good viewpoint. Looking north to Ellenabeich and Easdale Island.....

Looking south to Scarba, Lunga and various other smaller islands.....

I returned the same way and spent some time in Ellenabeich. There is an interesting museum of island life there with lots of artifacts to see.

Tumping around Oban-1 (Gallanach and Connel)

 21 April 2024

Where: Druim Mor (Gallanach), 137m/449', P 88m, Tump. OS 49, NM 841 282 and Dun Clachach (Connel), 78m/256', P32m, Tump, OS 49, NM 905 385

Good weather had arrived in the west of Scotland so it was off to Oban to do some hills before the midges arrived. I drove straight to Gallanach just to the south of Oban where I had one hill still to do. I drove past the Kerrera ferry terminal up the the high point of the road where there was a good parking area beside a building and where a good track started up the hill (and went all the way to Oban). On the track with Druim Mor ahead..... 

I branched off the track steeply up the hill at an obvious point and was soon on the unmarked top. It was a fine viewpoint as expected. Looking towards Oban, the Etive hills and Ben Cruachan distant.....

 

Over Kerrera, the hills of Mull beyond.....

Over north Kerrera with the Ardgour hills beyond.....

South down the Sound of Kerrera.....

Me with Kerrera and Mull beyond.....

It was still early so I decided to head for Connel to bag Dun Clachach. There was again plenty of parking at the start of a track which went as far as Connel loch before taking to the hillside. There were two tops with the Tump being the furthest away.....

West to Ardgour and Mull.....

East to Ben Cruachan.....

Connel bridge and Beinn Lora.....

A good start to the trip.

Forside Hill and Knock Leaven (Abington)

 31 March 2024

Where: Forside Hill, 376m/1,234', P 117m, Hump, OS 71/72, NS 919267 and Knock Leaven, 345m/1,135', P 55m, Tump, OS 71/72, NS 908260

Back down the M74 again on a very pleasant Easter Sunday to climb these hills which sit opposite each on either side of the motorway. I approached them from a minor road to the south. 

I parked a few hundred metres east of the motorway for Forside Hill. I had passed this impressive looking hill many times and thought that it must be a good viewpoint. The route was more or less straight up, through sheep fields initially and then up grassy slopes with some heather patches. Gates in all the right places. Approaching the trig.....

It was indeed a good viewpoint. Looking east to Tinto.....

Looking south to Tewsgill Hill and the Clyde wind farm.....

Looking south west down the M74.....

and west to Knock Leaven from lower down.....

I shifted the car to the other side of the motorway to a layby at the foot of a small plantation. The first field was a bit muddy but then it was easy grassy slopes. The high point wasn't marked on the ground. Looking to Forside Hill on the ascent.....

From the summit there was a fine view to Tinto and Dungavel Hill and of course Forside Hill....

South to Tewsgill Hill and the wind farm.....

There were more turbines to the north.....

I returned by the same route taking another photo of the southwards view but this time through the trees.....

Two very pleasant hills with easy ascents and fine views.