Lyon in a Berlingo

Sometimes it is just nice to waken up somewhere new …


The Glen Lyon hills are well with a day trip from Glasgow but I decided to bin Glasgow and head north late on a Saturday evening. Up past Stirling and a turn west, through Callander and Loch Earnhead before passing through a very quiet Killin. The hill plan included an “easy single” from the high road which runs past the Ben Lawyers visitors centre. Snow low down on the road was not a good sign at all – managed to squeeze through the first two drifts but got the van a bit stuck in the third. Dug it out and returned down to Loch Tay with my tail between my legs. Took the long route into Glen Lyon and arrived at my chosen spot a bit later than planned.

The van was so comfy that I slept in a bit but crawled out the sleeping bag and got the stove primed. Fed and pack ready …I started up the track towards the first hill of the day Cam Creag. Due to the amount of work going on lower down the glen, it felt like accessing a construction site rather than a mountain wilderness (and the landowners shout about the damage done by walkers / bikers). Was glad to gain some height and back into the snow again. Decided to take a slightly more direct line onto the summit ridge than initially planned but the snow was good and there were very obvious routes through the crags. Arrived on the summit ridge in very flat light …and carefully made my way up. Found the summit and checked my position with the GPS (better to be sure). My footsteps from the ascent made for a worry free descent back into the glen. Did the walk / jog / run / jog / walk thing back down towards the car before turning back north and up the forestry track towards the next of the hills – Beinn Dearg. Stopped on the edge of the forest for some food and noted that once again, I had the hill to myself (doubt the surrounding Munros were the same). With the mountain covered in cloud, the view was by and large dominated by map and compass. Located the summit (and checked it again with the GPS) before making the return journey back down to the van.

Got back to the van in plenty time for another attempt at the Lawyers road but reckoned it would not be any better from the north with steeper slopes leading onto the road …one for a summers day perhaps.