Sadly, due to the Covid 19 situation we were unable to make our usual journey to Crail, but when one door closes another will open and new opportunities arise. There is so much of Scotland still to explore we were open to wherever it would take us, this time it was the Trossachs.
Staying in a B&B just outside of Callander was a perfect base from which to explore. Fortunately the owners were happy to impart a little a local knowledge and on our first day we set off on a walk. Driving to Balquhidder we parked by the churchyard, right by the ruins of Balquhidder church, where lies the grave of Rob Roy who lived and died in the area. Walking round the churchyard there was a path to the back, leading to a river. We took a few wrong turns trying to find the path the map showed – this was despite taking a photo of the said map before we set off, great idea, but unfortunately it didn’t help much!
Of course when things don’t go to plan that doesn’t mean to say they go wrong. In such an idyllic area, with so many red squirrels – a rarity in the South – we were just enjoying being there. It’s true to say that the journey is sometimes just as important as the destination.
When we set off on our walk we were just planning a loop around, we didn’t have a destination in mind, or any expectation as such. As we came up to the river, with the water cascading down through the rocks and squirrels merrily going about their business we knew we were in our happy place. This was as good as it gets, the rest would just be a walk in the woods.
Along the way we met a lady walking her two dogs, stop to let her by and started chatting. It was a daily walk for her and she told us we should carry on along the path to Creag an Tuirc, where there was a viewing point, which we did. Well, she wasn’t wrong, we came to the place, marked with a cairn and a well place bench, and the view was spectacular.
Looking down you could see all along Loch Voil and the village of Balquhidder, stunning. At this point we were so grateful we had a dry and clear day, as you could see for miles.
Then to find our way back down and continue the loop to get back to the car. An easy walk, although steeply downhill in places. The view from the top may have been fantastic, but there is always lots to see on any walk if you just look. Sometimes it’s the simple things which are worth stopping to appreciate.
But then there are also some sights which make you just think ‘how??’
Our first guess was lightening, but I’d love to know for sure!
