​One of the embarrassing things about the fact I spend so much time up North amongst our wonderful mountain scenery is that I don't always know the wee gems on my own doorstep. So when I got an Email from Kate from Canada to visit the Devil's (Deil's) Pulpit at Finnich Glen, I had to look it up to find it! It has been featured in Outlander I believe, as well as the film The Eagle, and is a deep sandstone gorge running with dark peaty water, close to the Glengoyne distillery near Killearn. The eponymous pulpit is often mistakenly thought to be the overhang as you descend, but is in fact the sandstone stump in the central cavern area, made accessible by the laird of Killearn in 1861 by the construction of some now dilapidated and exceptionally slippery steps.
 
I knew Kate was going to be game and able for the rest of the day as she immediately took her shoes and socks off and paddled out to the pulpit, with me gingerly teetering behind in my boots.....years of soaking wet cold feet have made me soft eh!? We took some pictures, and then clambered back up the steps to set off to our next objective, Ben Venue.
 
But wait. The forecast was OK, and the reality even better. Warmer weather was on its way, and despite the cold, brisk wind, conditions were good for something a little more challenging. So we quickly decided on Ben Lomond, from Rowardennan, but by the much quieter and scenic Ptarmigan path.
 
We parked up after a nice drive along East Loch Lomondside, and off we went, me blethering as usual, so much so that I missed the wee turn off, and had to backtrack a few metres. Doh! I blame it not being on the 1:50k map, (he said weakly ;) The path is excellent, and you really can see the effect of the money coming in from the National Park status, with improved drainage and much reduced erosion. The only problem from Kate's point of view was that they have installed steps occasionally, and she considered this cheating....... You've still gotta go up though lass!
 
We took a few breaks as we made our way leisurely upwards, chatting to those on descent, and taking in the ever-widening views of the silvery Loch Lomond and the surrounding hills. The Cobbler and the Arrochar Alps were particularly splendid today in the defined light, and the clarity meant we could make out all manner of distant hills, as well as the Firths of Forth and Clyde, always satisfying.
 
Eventually, after some minor scrambling in the fresh breeze, we popped out onto the summit, right at the trig point, where we triumphantly high-fived and snapped some pics. Given the popularity of Ben Lomond, we were lucky to have the summit to ourselves, and lingered a moment before striking off down the busier standard path, where we entertained ourselves with discussions about Scottish and World politics, history and religion, which took us pretty much to the bottom!
 
A really good day out in fresh but improving Spring weather. Always nice to keep out of the waterproofs for the day, and my rosy glow as I type this indicated the presence of the sun. Thanks very much to Kate and her choice of routes, and for her great company. One munro down, 281 to go! ;)

Just back from a splendid four days with some great folks in the Fisherfield Forest, a.k.a. The Great Wilderness, working for Steven Fallon Mountain Guides. See www.stevenfallon.co.uk/blog for full blog

I have been very busy recently, on the hill in both lovely dry conditions and horrendous, wet, gale-ridden weather. One such day was Tuesday, when 42 gazillion gallons of rain was poured on Lochaber, (well, maybe I exaggerate....about 30 squillion then), and my clients and I got a right royal soaking. Well, we would have done if we hadn't been in the Knoydart ranger's Landrover, but that's another story. The main issue is not usually the rain, but the wind, and that was to be the problem on Wednesday.

Wednesday I had planned to meet my pal Caroline, whom I used to walk a lot with, but in recent times we have not been able to coincide diaries. The plan was to do the Corryhully Horseshoe, and the munros of Sgurr nan Coireachan and Sgurr Thuilm, a splendid high ridge walk with super views. Of course, there would have been some views between the squalls, but it was the prospect of a day battling a 'mean' wind speed of 45mph, with 60mph gusts that dampened my ardour. So what do do? We need shelter from the Westerly, and a route that isn't too long, as both of us had to be back South that evening.

The Zigzags on Gearr Aonach. Perfect. An utterly improbable route up and around the middle buttress of the three that make up the Three Sisters of Glencoe. It's a scramble in places, Grade 1, with a nice little Grade 2 move as the crux, and the sections are joined by a rubbly path that weaves its way up the buttress most deviously, eventually depositing you out on the nose of the ridge, and onward to Stob Coire nan Lochan. The rock can be slippery in the wet, but that just added interest.

We did get the shelter as I predicted, and even managed a couple of snack stops between the showers. It was a waterproofs on/off day, but is IS spring in Scotland after all. We both really enjoyed the route, and descended happily to a cup of tea in my van before wending our merry ways Southwards. A wee cracker of a route, and one which has saved the day many a time. 
 

The fabulous run of dry weather continues, even if it isn't as warm and sunny as down in Englandshire! ;) I was working for Steven Fallon Mountain Guides on the Black Mount this weekend, and we had a ball. See www.stevenfallon.co.uk/blog for my full write-up.

​I have been doing some Continuous Personal Development this Spring, both to gain points for my membership of the Mountain Training Association, and to increase and improve my knowledge of all things upland. Very enjoyable and very informative. I have attended -

• Geology in the Pentlands
• Leave No Trace - Minimising the impact of our presence in the hills
• Photography - With specific attention given to the outdoors, and point-and-press which is what I do!
• Interpreting the Mountain and Woodland Environment - Based around Glenmore
  
  

and I am still to do this week -

• Bush-craft
• Gaelic in the mountain environment

 
It is fascinating to spend time with such enthusiastic coaches, and also to share experiences with other mountain practitioners. A great way to spend your down-time, and certainly something I intend to keep up as and when the opportunities arise.