Ben Lomond

Over a weekend in mid-August four brave GUCH walkers met up to conquer Ben Lomond, the most southerly of Scotland’s Munros, rising some 3,192ft (974m) and set by the famous “bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond”.

Paul, Mike and I arrived on Friday night and met up at the Balmaha pub which was to become our second home for the weekend, being the only place in the village serving food. Vicki joined us in the morning and the four of us, together with Mike’s West Highland terriers, Hamish and Haggis, set off in beautiful sunshine from Rowardennan. The path was flat for a short while until it turned alongside a stream and headed up the hill. Up, and up, and up… We had to stop quite a number of times to admire the gorgeous views down the length of Loch Lomond (and of course catch our breath). The route we took went up the more interesting path, via the Ptarmigan ridge, and back down the main path. Although it got a little cold and windy near the top the weather held as we approached the final, steep rocks which lay between us and the summit. It was a triumphant moment when we all finally stood by the trig point in the early afternoon. We took the obligatory group photo, admired the fantastic, panoramic views over the Highlands and down to Glasgow and ate a late and enormously welcome lunch.

We descended by the wide “tourist” route which followed the other ridge of the mountain back down to Rowardennan, finally arriving back safely in the car park some nine hours after we had departed. It was a tired but happy collection of GUCH walkers who gathered for dinner that night. The dogs were exhausted and sleeping in the car but the rest of us enjoyed a large and well-deserved meal.

Next day, after a late breakfast at the pub we drove over to Aberfoyle and went for a shorter, somewhat less challenging walk around the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park. This time we followed a trail which crosses the Highland Boundary Fault and explains its geology in way-side signs. Then it was back to the visitors’ centre to enjoy the fine views, afternoon tea and another good chat. Sadly, Vicki had to leave then to return to Glasgow.

The rest of us returned to Balmaha for another enjoyable evening in the pub, followed in the morning by breakfast and departure. It had been a great weekend and the sense of achievement I felt on reaching the top of Ben Lomond will stay with me for a long time.

Vicki