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Walking in Glen Orchy (Scotland)

February 19, 2018 by Maria Fernandez

Glen Orchy - Scotland - simonking.bike

Glen Orchy walk: map & interesting data

© OpenStreetMap contributors
Total distance: 5.27 mi
Total climbing: 373 m
Total time: 02:18:01
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Data: 5.3 mile walk, 2h20 from 12.20 to 14.40 – average 2.3 mph

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Glen Orchy is a glen in Argyll and Bute which runs from Bridge of Orchy to Dalmally. That’s about 11 miles.

Glen is the Scottish word for a narrow and deep mountain valley.

Our walk in Glen Orchy

On this February Monday, we left our Bridge of Orchy cottage at about noon, on foot, and headed for Glen Orchy.

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Glen Orchy - Bridge of Orchy - simonking.bike

12.13 – Road from the cottage to the A82

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Click to see the photo gallery
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We went down to the A82, the road that goes through the village of Bridge of Orchy. There wasn’t much traffic.

We walked past the Community Fire Station and the Community Hall.

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Glen Orchy - village of Bridge of Orchy - simonking.bike

12.14 – A wintry Bridge of Orchy

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At the bottom of the road we crossed the A82, then the bridge, and turned left.

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Glen Orchy - along river Orchy - simonking.bike

12.21 – Paved road to the left of the bridge

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The forecast was for cloud and drizzle, with very high humidity.

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Glen Orchy - river Orchy - simonking.bike

12.30 – River Orchy & the paved road

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We followed the river Orchy for less than a mile and then entered the forest plantation.

In the background we could just see Beinn Dòrain and Beinn an Dothaidh, the two Munros next to our cottage.

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Glen Orchy - Beinn Dòrain (Munro) - simonking.bike

12.37 – Beinn Dòrain (Munro) through the cloud #

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At Inverveigh

Soon we reached Inverveigh, a tiny settlement with a ruined cottage and what appears to be an outdoor centre. Not that it looks very inviting.

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Glen Orchy - Abandoned cottage - simonking.bike

12.41 – An abandoned cottage

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The path is a forestry track in good condition with plantations on both sides.

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Glen Orchy - Beinn Dòrain - simonking.bike

12.44 – Looking back at Beinn Dòrain #

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There was little snow left on the ground. We continued along the forestry track in a southwesterly direction.

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Glen Orchy - a walk - simonking.bike

12.45 – Sister & Simon waterproofed

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At the crossroads, we saw a fuel tanker, but I wasn’t quick enough to take a picture of it.

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Glen Orchy - crossroads - simonking.bike

12.49 – Looking back at the two roads to Bridge of Orchy

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There were many waterfalls along the way. I’ve always loved waterfalls, big and small.

I love the small ones because they’re feisty and elegant.

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Glen Orchy - Waterfall - simonking.bike

12.57 – My best waterfall picture so far

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The forestry commission has some jaw-dropping machinery. This one is simply superb.

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Glen Orchy - forestry machinery - simonking.bike

13.07 – I want one of these for my garden!

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The temperature was very pleasant. We hardly needed our hats, and we were only wearing light gloves.

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Glen Orchy - logs - simonking.bike

13.09 – Logs resting by the road

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It wasn’t drizzling when we set off, but eventually it got wet. Not much, though.

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Glen Orchy - deer fence - simonking.bike

13.26 – A deer fence

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Back to Bridge of Orchy

Here we saw a forestry commission vehicle, but there was no on in sight. Other forestry commission vans drove past us a couple of times.

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Glen Orchy - forestry commission - simonking.bike

13.51 – A lonely forestry commission car

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After about an hour, we turned and came back the same way.

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Glen Orchy - abandoned cottage - simonking.bike

14.04 – Back at the abandoned cottage

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Towards the end of our walk, the sun came out for a few minutes. Suddenly, everything around us was bright green.

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Glen Orchy - a sunny winter day - simonking.bike

14.14 – Basting in the sun

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Back at Bridge of Orchy

From the impressive stone bridge at Bridge of Orchy you can see the river Orchy flowing in full force.

It’s a fantastic sight, and I love the noise the water makes.

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Glen Orchy - river Orchy bridge - simonking.bike

14.23 – Sister looking at the speedy river Orchy

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I wanted to see some frogs and deer, but we had no luck. In fact, we didn’t see any creatures other than ourselves.

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Glen Orchy - Bridge of Orchy Hotel - simonking.bike

14.24 – Sister & Simon by the Bridge of Orchy Hotel

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Unlike on our Saturday walk, we didn’t even bump into walkers. This time we had the peaceful path to ourselves all the way.

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Glen Orchy - river Orchy bridge - simonking.bike

14.25 – Looking back at the stone bridge

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Twice now we’ve been to Bridge of Orchy, for a whole week each time, but we still haven’t managed to visit the hotel.

All those Munros, Corbetts, Grahams and paths haven’t left us much time to get bored.

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Glen Orchy - Bridge of Orchy Hotel - simonking.bike

14.27 – The majestic Bridge of Orchy Hotel

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Less than a hundred yards from our cottage there was a female pheasant on the ground.

Apparently there are 2.3 million female pheasants in the UK. I learnt that today.

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Glen Orchy - female pheasant - simonking.bike

14.31 – A female pheasant posing, perhaps

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Back at the cottage, we had lunch, and sat in front of the fire to plan the next day’s adventure.

It was going to be another great climb.

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Our 7 days in Bridge of Orchy

Here are the links to all the posts for this trip:

Overview: the cottage, surroundings, trains & wildlife.

Saturday – The West Highland Way from Bridge of Orchy.

Sunday – Tramping around in snowshoes on Beinn Odhar.

Tuesday – Climbing Beinn an Dothaidh, a Munro opposite our cottage.

Wednesday – Climbing Ben Inverveigh & Meall Tairbh.

Thursday – Cycling to Clashgour along a pretty river.

2017 in Bridge of Orchy: our trip 12 months earlier.

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I took all the photos with the Panasonic.

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