Our first walk of the year, 4th. January 2015, and it was to Ben Lora. 11 of us assembled at Benderloch on a still, sunny and cold morning. We stopped for numerous photo /breathing breaks on our way up the hill. It's inevitable, when we stop on our walks to gaze around, there are various options as to what we are looking at...the old hands keep us right ! We didn't hang around at the trig. point as it was getting cold, and when we stopped for a lunch break we were ready for it! Some of us ended up at a cafe afterwards, some of us didn't ! It was a terrific start to our New Year programme.
18th January 2015 – Barcaldine Walk
Having skated none too gracefully around the Oban ice rink (otherwise known as the Lochavulin car park!), we started our walk from the Sea Life Centre on crisp, clear morning, taking the cycle track to Sutherland’s Grove where stopped for a coffee break in a sunny spot under the Douglas firs. We then took the trail uphill alongside the gorge following the Abhainn Teithil burn, with the snow getting deeper as we gained height, until we reach the Glen Dubh Reservoir – a great lunch spot with lovely views. We then wound through the forest along snowy paths with viewpoints over Loch Creran to Isle of Eriska, Lismore and Morvern in the distance, returning over the gorge via the Troll’s Bridge, down to Sutherland’s Grove and back along the cycle track to our start point. A good 7 mile walk for a chilly, bright January day!
1st February 2015 – Degnish Walk
Starting from a gate near Ardmaddy Castle, we followed the track south towards Degnish, winding up across moorland with good views over to the snow cover peaks of Mull. We stopped at the Wishing Tree to look at the many coins hammered into its trunk – some very old but some new, showing the tree is still believed to have its magical powers! Then it was on up to the top of the pass (Bealach Gaoithe) and down the other side towards Degnish, where we found a sunny spot for lunch overlooking Loch Melfort with the isle of Shuna and the Craignish Peninsula in the distance. Retracing our steps, we took an alternative track down to Ardmaddy Bay before walking back through estate to our start point. Another sunny, winter’s walk without getting wet – the Wishing Tree really does work!!
15th February 2015 –Cruachan Dam Walk
From Loch Awe village, we followed the hydro service road which gradually climbs above the loch with the steep slopes of Beinn a Bhuiridh to our right and magnificent views over Brander Pass and the hills around Loch Awe to our left. As we reached the ravine above the Power Station, the huge dam wall of the reservoir came into view and the path got steeper and the wind stronger, but we battled on the final few metres to find a sheltered spot for lunch, overlooking the water with the peaks of Ben Cruachan beyond, hidden in the cloud – decided to leave climbing those for another day! We then crossed the dam to peer over the wall and give ourselves vertigo before retracing our steps down the hill, with good views of Ben Lui and the hills towards Inveraray. 
March 1st. 2015 walk.... Tralee /St. Margaret's Tower. Sadly, we had to cancel this walk due to a very bad weather forecast.
Oude Dam Walk, 15th. March 2015
We all set off from our parking area in glorious sunshine, and followed a forest path which took us along the side of the dam and down into Melfort estate. The ground underfoot had dried up considerably and we had a very pleasant walk to our lunch/picnic spot. We lunched at the viewpoint above the estate where we were able to enjoy spectacular views of Loch melfort, Craobh Haven and the island of Shuna. From the estate vilage we walked back to our car via the former Pass of Kilmelfort. The recent rains had made this part of our route very wet and muddy but we were rewarded with our first sightings of some beautiful primroses which were winking at us in the sunshine. Our very pleasant day finished at Arduaine where we relaxed and enjoyed a coffee at the Melfort hotel.
5th. April, 2015. It was a very lovely, sunny day for our Crinan walk. 14 walkers assembled at the Cairnbaan car park and went on along the tow-path towards Crinan. There was a lunch stop half-way to Crinan, and another at Crinan... some walkers had met at the Oban Tesco car park at 9:30 am, and were ready for sustenance! A red squirrel was seen. On the return to Cairnbaan, and tea in the hotel, it was agreed that it had been a gorgeous spring-like day, much appreciated after the long, wet winter.
19th. April, 2015 Black Lochs Walk
From Connel we took the track past Achaleven farm and, after pausing to admire some new-born calves, began a gentle climb uphill. From the top we had a panoramic view over Connel Bridge to Ben Lora and the hills beyond Lismore in one direction, and in the other, the twin peaks of Ben Cruachan - and the sun shone from a clear blue sky ! The path then wound down past the houses at Cull-uaine to the Black Lochs, where the rocky ruins of an old village made a good place for lunch. Skirting the lochs we followed the track past Kilvaree, spotting tadpoles in some rapidly drying puddles and primroses on the verges, before joining the single-track road back to Connel. And then suddely we heard a cuckoo - yes, spring has officially arrived !
Sunday 3rd. May
Our first walk of the summer programme and we took the ferry over to Kerrera. There were 9 of us, wrapped up well against a cold wind and steady drizzle. Our aim was Gylen Castle at the south end, which one party reached by a rough east-coast path and the others along the road. Somebody was cooking fish over an open fire in Tinker's Cave. The photo is of one of our party in playful mode by the remains of slate workings on the east soast, where oak trees dominate. Once we'd stoked up on refreshments at the Tea Garden we started the return journey round the west coast past Barr-nam-boc and above Slatrach farm. The visibility was good; we had seen Colonsay from the south end and looked over to Mull and Morven and snow capped peaks beyond from the west side. We saw masses of primroses and small lambs, some black, on our day, and the weather improved to the point where the wind went down and there was a glimmer of sun. It had been a good walk.
17th May 2015 – Lochavich to Scammadale Walk
Despite the forecast of a wet day, 8 hardy souls set off on a 10 mile walk across the hills from Lochavich to Scammadale and back via the old drovers trail. A steep climb at the start was rewarded with good views of Loch Avich and then once at the top, the track stretched before us past Loch na Sreinge to a cairn marking the spot where the Campbell chief was killed in a skirmish with the MacDougals in 1296. The burns were quite high but the addition of an extra stepping stone or some corrugated iron sheeting got us across with relatively dry feet! Once past the ruin at Fineglen we descended to Loch Scammadale as the sun came out just in time for lunch. On the return journey, we diverted to see the Alt Dearg Burn waterfalls before climbing up to rejoin the track and retrace our steps to Lochavich – where we arrived back with weary legs but in good spirits!
Meall Mhor Hill, Tarbert, 7th. June 2015.
9 of us enjoyed the walk on a day of sunshine and black scudding clouds. After our drive from Oban to south of Ardrishaig, we eventually found the 'right' car parking place. We climbed steadily from sea-level to the masts at the top of th
e hill (484 metres, or more than
half way up a Munro!). Lower down, we had passed small yellow pimpernels amongst tormentil at the side of the track. It was blowing a cold wind at the top, and after lunch behind a rock admiring a slightly hazy view south, and south east, to the hills of Arran and Bute, we sped down to the comforts of tea in the afternoon sun at the Stonefield Castle hotel. There we looked across their garden and planned another walk in the lovely area.
21st June 2015 – Craignish Peninsula
Our summer solstice walk started off a little damp as we left the marina at Craobh Haven, passing through the Lunga estate in front of the main house and then out onto the open pasture towards the remote cottage of Gemmil. Undeterred by the boggy ground, we saw orchids and yellow iris as we made our way to a rocky knoll above the bay Bagh dail nan Ceann – coffee/lunch break! Then it was a short sharp climb up to the top of Dun Ailne, and with the clouds lifting and sky clearing, we were rewarded with panoramic views across Luing and Shuna towards Mull looking north and Scarba and Jura with the Corryvrechan in between to the west.
Winding downhill, we passed an ancient carved stone before arriving at the impressive house of Barrakan with views over the lovely bay Bagh Ban. A track then took us across to Ardfern where, after another break on the shores of Loch Craignish, we headed back over the hill to Craobh and a well earned drink in the Lord of the Isles!
5th. July. The Leacainn Walk. (not Gigha as advertised.)
This circular walk links Furnace on the shores of Loch Fine to the township museum at Auchendrain, with the route roughly following the course of thre river Leacainn. Afte walking through the village to see the ruin of the iron-ore blast Furnace, (hence the name) we headed up a track and into the forest on the slopes of Dun Leacainn. Cleared areas gave good views of the hill and the glen, but the warm, still air meant the midgies kept us on the move ! 
After lunching at Auchendrain we headed for the old, arched Miller's Bridge to cross the river and then took the trail past the Miller's Falls before being diverted round fields full of flowers. On returning to the river bank, we passed several more arched bridges and eventually emerged from the trees into open pasteure with views along Loch Fyne, before descending to our starting point.
Mid -week Loch Ossian Walk, 8th. July
!0 walkers met at Upper Tyndrum station and took the train to Corrour. Corrour is the stopping off place for Loch Ossian, Rannoch Moor and surrounding Munro's. We went at a leisurely pace round the loch, dodging showers, sitting in the sun and hopping about under midgie attack. The snow was still on the Ben Nevis range, to our west. At the north-eastern end of the loch is the new Corrour Lodge, stone and glass built, whose sharp outline is well hidden among tall trees. At the other end lies Loch Ossian youth hostel, sprawled on the loch-side grass. It has great environmental crudentials and is a famous and welcome stop. The warden invited our slightly bedraggled party in, and we enjoyed the warmth of the stove and tea and craic with those staying. 
We noticed that there didn't seem to be much bird life, but flowers were abundant...orchids,white louse-wort, cow-wheat, red campion, yellow rattle, milkwort, dwarf cornel and common wintergreen... Just off the path we found this patch of lupins, covering perhaps half an acre. It was a gorgeous day.
19th July 2015 – Ariundle, Strontian
Summer seemed to arrive for the day as we crossed Loch Linnhe in the sunshine via the Corran ferry to reach the start point of our walk at Ariundle near Strontian. The path wound through the ancient oakwood, gradually gaining height, before emerging onto open moorland with good views of the surrounding hills and finally arriving at the site of the old lead mine. 
Suitable refreshed after lunch, we walked alongside a ravine, past a waterfall and down a steep (and in places muddy!) track, with lots of frogs and toads for company. After re-entering the oakwood, we took a boardwalk to a path by the Strontian River, walking along its banks until reaching the bridge which led us back to the car park. Blue skies all day – what a treat!
2nd. August, Glencoe hill walk.
"The hill is Bienn a Chrulaiste (857m) to the NW of the Kingshouse Inn. We will start at Altnafeadh car park (300m). It is a very steep ascent, with little or no path to Stob Beinn a Chrulaiste (639m). It is only about 3/4 mile and a 1000ft ascent to the Stob and then 1mile and 600ft of gentle climb to the summit. The views are stunning (overwhelming)... you really feel you could reach out and touch Rannoch Wall, Crowberry Tower etc. on the Buachaille. You are looking down Glen Etive, down Glen Coe and the Three Sisters, across to the Mammores and Ben Nevis... all this just on the way to the Stob B.... Once you get to the summit you are looking across Rannoch Moor to Ben More Stobinien, Scheihallion etc.
Be warned it is very steep with next to no path and is only worth doing on a good day for the views. The good news is that I intend to go at a very slow steady pace! "
This is the walk description ....and we did indeed look forward to the views...but, low cloud come down. When we reached the summit we touched the trig point and turned down smartly to get ourselves below cloud and have our lunch. We did have spectacular visions of the Buaichaille through gaps in the swirling cloud. Also, at close quarters, there were many alpine mosses and low growing flowers to admire. Someone saw a ptarmigan. We agreed that high moorland and peaty lochans made a good, different walk for us.
16th August 2015 – Loch Etive
Starting from Bonawe, we walked through the quarry and then took the track that leads along the north shore of Loch Etive. It was a dry, still day so when we stopped to admire the hills across the water, we were soon joined by midges – time to festoon ourselves with bog myrtle!! 
The route took us through trees and along the shoreline, passing the cottages of Craig and Cadderlie before stopping for lunch overlooking the island Eilean Uisneachan. On our return journey the sun came out and the breeze got up, so we were able to sit in midge-free comfort on the headland of Rubh na Creige and enjoy the great views up and down the loch.
6 September – Beaver Trail Walk
Starting from the Barnluasgan Information Centre we walked along the trail and had our first coffee-stop at the bridge observation point. It was dry and coolish and the gentle breeze helped to keep us surprisingly midge-free! We continued along the path keeping a look-out for any signs of beavers/beaver dams. We lunched at a picnic table which was situated conveniently close to the lochan. Continuing our walk we took a short diversion along the Faerie Isles Trail! This turned out to be a forestry track leading down to the shores of Loch Sween. The sun obliged us and we were able to sit on the rocks along the shoreline of one of the loch’s inlets and enjoy the wonderful warmth and glorious tranquillity of the area. En route home we took another ‘diversion’ to Crinan where we enjoyed teas, coffees and various other delights in the Coffee Shop.
Unfortunately we didn’t spot any beavers or faeries during our walk but we were able to enjoy this pleasant and varied countryside - in sunshine!
20th September 2015 – Glen Ogle
Starting from the car park at the head of Glen Ogle , (which we discovered was a popular stop-off for bikers!), we headed south along the old railway line, which is now a cycle track. After a short distance, we took a stile over the fence and headed down through bracken to the bottom of the glen, following an old military road. The route is usually a glutinous morass (- very boggy to you and me!), but the recent dry spell and flattened vegetation made the going fairly easy. Crossing several old stone bridges and a burn, we wound our way down Glen Ogle until we reached the old Lochearnhead railway station, where we perched on the edge of the platform for lunch.
Then came a steep climb up the side of the glen to reach the railway line again, with views over Loch Earn as we gained height. Once on the cycle track, it was a gradual ascent along the elevated railway and over a viaduct, back to our starting point
4th October 2015 – Cona Glen
Crossing the Corran Ferry on a sunny, autumnal morning, we drove a short way north along the shores of Loch Linnhe to the start of our walk along Cona Glen, Ardgour. The track meanders through trees and open pasture, sometimes coming close to the water’s edge as it winds through the hills towards Glenfinnan. 
One of our group couldn’t resist the challenge of a wire bridge across the river - the rest of us ignored him! Highland cattle were grazing in the glen or cooling off in the river and after lunch and some 4 miles or so walking, it was time to retrace our steps.
18th. October, 2015
Parking near Inveraray Castle Estate Office, we set off glimpsing the formal gardens, and basking in the late October sunshine, passed the beautifully manicured beech hedges towards the Adam bridge over the River Aray and onwards past majestic Redwoods and the ruins of disused lime kilns. It was then a gradual climb up to the Monument at the summit of Dun Na Cuaiche 248 metres (813 ft) where we spent some time enjoying the magnificent views across the Castle and the Town, down to Loch Fyne and beyond, and our picnic. 
The descent took less time so we extended the walk by continuing along the farm road towards the very pretty white dovecote picking blackberries on the way. Then it was into Inveraray for a welcome cuppa at The Green Door where we filled the little tea room with much fun and hilarity.
1st. November 2015. Dunadd
About 15 of us left the cars 'opposite the field with the standing stones' and took tracks, paths, field, and some road (part of Cycle 78 route) towards Dunadd. We were going through the Moine Mhor, around the River Add as it meanders to the sea. We picniced in quiet contemplation by the river, in glorious sunshine, watching leaves drift slowly on the deep brown water. From the top of Dunadd flat fertile land stretched below us and we thought how wisely Neolithic people had chosen to settle, and set up their cairns and stones and monuments. And early Scots crown their kings. We were quite overcome with sun and wall-to-wall blue sky, and the sense of history...and then it went pear-shaped. 
All we had to do was get ourselves from the car park at Dunadd to the cafe at the Kilmartin Museum for tea and cake. But cars weren't where they were meant to be, people wanted lifts, some of us didn't know the plans for tea, some of us can't count, one of us was seen going back down to Dunadd car park, at least twice, to pick up people who weren't there, someone had to be pushed out , bewildered, into a car park, some of us were separated from our purses, our boots, our rucsacs. People trickled into the tea room for over half an hour, and we laughed and laughed and wondered if anyone was left stranded !