Drymen to Loch Lomond

We were woken rather earlier that we would have liked by the bleating of lambs, when I looked out of the tent 1 saw that they were in a little hollow on the bank just behind the tents, but as I emerged they scampered of to find mother. The day was dull but dry, it seemed good walking weather.

As we packed the tents etc. the bullocks that we had seen the previous evening came over to watch, they probably drink from the stream that was close by. We were on our way by 8.45 and soon found ourselves on a 'green' path into the Garadahaban Forest. I don't like forest paths, but parts of this route were really beautiful. The track is flanked in places by broom and gorse, both of which were a blaze of colour. The trees do not crowd in on the path and there is a good mix of birch and some pretty little Sitka Spruce  with an inch of bright green new growth on each branch.

 

Conic Hill
In the forest we were overtaken by a couple travelling light (and fast) who told us that they had heard that the route over Conic Hill was closed for lambing. We were to see this couple again several days later at Tyndrum and again near the Black Mount. As they passed I noticed that the man was wearing Brasher boots, and in the days to follow I often saw what I assumed to be his tracks when we crossed soft ground. Sure enough Conic hill was closed, and we were diverted down towards Loch Lomond and through the little village of Kilton where we had a good rest in the churchyard. It was warm and sunny by now and the rest was very welcome
 Southern end of loch Lomond

Soon we reached Loch Lomond, we should be walking close to this Loch for the next two days.                                 next