Deuchary hill and Loch Ordie 24th November 2024

Warnings of storm Bert made Blairgowrie and District Hill walking club revise plans for walks. Instead of Glenshee, a party of ten made their way to Dunkeld to climb Deuchary hill via Loch Ordie.

Saturday’s heavy snowfall was slow to clear above Dunkeld making the approach to the Cally car park treacherous. After leaving cars in Dunkeld, the party made their way on energy- sapping, slippery, slushy snow, past Mill dam, Rotmell Loch, and Dowally loch to Loch Ordie. Feeling refreshed after lunch, they headed southwest behind Loch Ordie lodge then branching off eastwards to approach Deuchary hill, passing another scenic loch – Lochan na Beinne – before a final short steep climb to the summit of Deuchary Hill.

There the party paused to enjoy excellent views over Highland Perthshire, then picked their way carefully southwards past rocky outcrops to re-join the Dunkeld path network above Mill dam. The homeward march from Mill dam was much easier than the outward approach as the slippery slush had receded and all the party struck a smart pace back to Dunkeld.

This area, with its series of picturesque lochs and stone bridges over tumbling burns is excellent for walking at any time of year. Wintery, watery skies and icy patterns on the lochs provided added interest for this outing. There were signs of beaver activity passing Mill dam and a fleeting appearance of a herd of fallow deer.