Blair Atholl walk: map & interesting data
Total climbing: 306 m
Total time: 01:19:59
2.6 mile walk, 1h20 from 12.20 to 13.40 – average 1.9 mph
We woke up to a melancholic-looking Friday.
Throughout the night, I could hear the rain tapping on the roof. I was glad we had decided to have a lazy Friday after seeing the weather forecast.
This was the first time we’d had two consecutive rainy days in Blair Atholl.
Usually, we have to replan our days after the forecast rain fails to materialise. This part of Scotland has a microclimate and doesn’t live up to its soggy reputation.
But not today.
Blair Atholl: walking to Lude House
In spite of the rain, we ventured out for a couple of hours. So we put on all our waterproofs and left the lodge on foot by 12.30pm.
It was drizzling steadily, and it was fairly breezy.
We headed east, to the edge of Blair Atholl, crossed the main road, and went into a farm. One with a very muddy path indeed.
12.28 – A very muddy path
The first ten minutes of our walk were quite cold, but soon the wind dropped.
Walking along the muddy farm path we came to a spot with about two dozen bullocks.
12.33 – Bullocks minding their own business
We stopped to take their picture and some of them got interested in us. They probably thought we were going to feed them, so they slowly came to greet us.
12.34 – Bullocks pretending to ignore us
Eventually, we were all face to face. We stared at them, and they examined us.
As we walked away, they started to follow us along the fence. Soon we had the two dozen bullocks strolling next us.
12.35 – Bullocks mesmerised by us, and viceversa
After we left the bullocks, we continued walking through the farm heading to Lude House.
There was a lot of mud on the ground, specially in the areas were the farm vehicles had been.
12.42 – It’s getting even muddier!
We walked up the paved road and got glimpses of Blair Atholl through the rain.
12.51 – The paved road up to Lude House
At times, the paved path up to Lude House is fairly steep.
When we reached Lude House the rain became sleet, but fortunately it didn’t last.
At Lude House
Lude House is a solid structure, built to last, but beautiful it’s not. The most striking thing about it, though, are the commanding views it has of Glen Garry.
Its grid reference is NN886656.
13.02 – Lude House from the road
We had a quick look around and then looped all the way back.
The second half of the walk wasn’t nearly as rainy, and the wind gave us a break too.
13.09 – Lude House outbuildings
In some parts, the hill was covered in snowdrops. Wet, humble and tough.
13.18 – Snowdrops in the rain
There are some stunning tree specimens on both sides of the road; old trees with imposing heights, some with curiously twisted shapes.
In the dark they probably look like impish ghosts trying to scare the night walkers.
13.18 – A Scots pine & other magnificent trees
Cows & calves
Here there were three or four cows and half a dozen newborn calves, all soaked to the bone.
The calves were practising standing on their legs, and were bravely facing the rain.
13.28 – Newborn calves saying ‘Hello’
In the hour we were out, we saw three roe deer, plenty of cattle, quite a few sheep, and lots of pheasants.
We also saw a Highland cow with its teeny-weeny calf. Alas, they both run away before I could take my camera out.
13.29 – The road down to Blair Atholl
While walking on the farm we didn’t see anyone, and we also had the paved path to ourselves. It’s curious how the rain rules our lives.
We went through the grand gate and headed towards the lodge.
13.36 – The Lude House private gate
Our original plan was to have the sandwiches we were carrying somewhere along the way. But we came up with a better idea, and waited till we got back.
The toasted pâté sandwich was delicious, and the ham & cheese “mixto” even better.
14.22 – Our lunch, upgraded
Perhaps one day we’ll have a toasted lunch on top of a hill.
Leaving Blair Atholl on Saturday
When we got up on Saturday morning we got some snow, and the temperature had dropped by about five degrees.
10.18 – Snowing on our lodge decking
The hills were soon white, but not enough for snowshoes or crampons. Otherwise it’d have been tempting to stay.
10.19 – Snowing on the river Tilt
Then the sun came out.
10.31 – It’s getting sunnier
By the time we headed for the station it was a beautiful sunny day. It felt like the spring was finally coming.
10.34 – Snowy hills in the sun
I took all the photos with the Panasonic.