Farragon Hill, Sunday 3rd November 2024
The promise of another great day on a local hill attracted 29 walkers to sign up for the trip to Aberfeldy and Farragon Hill. Transport was by coach with pick ups in Alyth, Blairgowrie and Burnam, the entire group travelled to the start of the A walk; the access road to the Baryte quarry on the Tummel Bridge Road from Aberfeldy.
The area was in cloud and the group climbed their first hill, the Corbett Meall Tairneachan, still in clag. Not until reaching the summit of their second Corbett, Farragon Hill, were they able to enjoy any views. And what views, on the one side an always spectacular temperature inversion with only the higher hills poking through the cloud and to the other extensive views towards the Glenshee Hills. The group passed close to the mine entrance, a heavy steel door at its entrance prevented exploration.
The 16 walkers then headed first SE to Loch Derculich then to Lurgan and following paths southward eventually onto the B846 and a 3 km walk along it to Grandtully and the waiting coach (after welcome refreshments at a local hostelry).
After dropping off the A group the coach made its way back to Dull where the B & C groups started their respective routes after briefly visiting its ancient church and site of an historic monastery.
The routes from Dull were not in the least bit boring. Ugh!
Ther start from Dull was common to both groups but the B party were soon heading north to Loch Farleyer with its fishing lodge. From that vantage point Farragon Hill was easily seen, bathed in sunshine after the cloud had cleared. Their path continued north when having come across a welcoming bothy, the group of 8 stopped for their pieces. Next was a walk across Weem Hill with great views over Strathtay. They then walked into the forest and a downhill section towards Weem. Little in the way of wildlife was spotted but the roar of rutting stags could be heard. Brightly coloured fungi were seen on the forest floor and some entertainment provided by a machine timber harvester as it stacked its load.
A new and well signposted path network provided good walking to Aberfeldy. The walkers crossed the Wade Bridge to reach the town and refreshments.
The C group took the path eastwards to Camserney then uphill on a good forestry track to Shenavail, passing the poignant remains of Rawer, a long-abandoned group of dwellings. A stop at Weem Rock with its extensive views south and east saw the group of 5 enjoy their lunch. Many of the paths thereabouts were shared with keen x-country cyclists from the nearby and expanding Glassie Bike Park. Then came a visit to the Glassie Farm Bunkhouse and a very informative chat to its owner. He, along with the local path network group, kept the paths in excellent order with very clear signposting evident. Finally, they made their way down to Aberfeldy, over the pedestrian suspension bridge and into the town.
The two parties enjoyed refreshments at the Birks Cinema café before getting back onto the coach and on to Grandtully where the A party had ended their 21km walk.
