Easter in Scotland.

Another week of freezing temperatures and snow put pay to our planned camping trip to Braemar so we had a re-think and decided on Easter weekend in Symington followed by a few days 'up north'.

Good Friday saw us heading north on another bright but cold morning. We arrived in Symington before lunch. It was only 2 degrees but as we'd brought the road bikes we decided on an afternoon ride. We chose an old favourite - the Broughton round. The outward leg was freezing in a brisk easterly wind but views of snow capped hills made up for any hardship. The homeward leg via Biggar was much warmer especially when the sun made an appearance. A good start to Easter in Scotland.

Susan back on her Border roads.

As the forecast was good for Saturday we decided to go for a walk in the Border hills. We chose the hills to the SE of Talla Reservoir near Tweedsmuir thinking that they would have a good cover of snow. Unfortunately we couldn't get to our intended parking spot at Talla Linnfoots, as the road was blocked by a large snow drift, so had to walk an extra 2km to the start of the route up Gameshope Glen.  It was a stunning morning and we made quick progress up to the MBA Bothy in the glen. Things then got more difficult as the glen beyond was full of soft snow which we  staggered through. We were quite concerned by the avalanche risk on the snow loaded eastern slopes so looked carefully for a safe way up on to our first hill - Great Hill. We choose a north facing ridge leading up from Donald's Cleuch, as the snow had largely been blown from this, and were soon having a drink by the summit marker post. 

We next headed for Donald's Cleuch Head then Firthhope Rig and finally White Coomb, one of the areas 3 Corbetts. The snow ranged from hard neve to soft powder so it was hard to maintain a steady rhythm and we cursed not have brought the snowshoes. The views were, however, superb and more than made up for the hard work.

After lunch on the summit of our high point we headed back for Donald's Cleuch Head and then on to Firthybrig Head before descending steeply to Talla Nick. Here we chose to climb Lochcraig Head to extend the day. We crossed several ski tracks but met no one - amazing on Easter weekend.

On the summit we ate our last food then headed for the Megget Stone pass over Nickies Knowe. On this leg we met a lone skier who was surprised to see others on the hill. 

We passed some amazing snow formations near the foot of the descent and it was clear that the avalanche risk was considerable on west facing slopes. The going was hard so we were pleased to      reach the Megget pass road which we simply had to follow back to the car. We've cycled this  many times but today snow blocked it in several places and it took about 1 hour to walk back to the car.

A long but excellent day on the hill.

The road beyond this point was blocked.

Crossing a burn by the Gameshope Bothy.

'Post holing' up Gameshope Glen.

A fantastic day in the Border Hills.

The summit of Great Hill with the Moffat hills beyond.

Heading for White Coomb in the empty Border Hills.

White Coomb Summit.

Above Loch Skeen.

Starting the descent to the Megget.

Blue sky and amazing snow - is this the Borders?

The view back to Lochcraig Head from the Megget.

Walking back down the road to Talla.

Easter Sunday started brightly in Symington so we set off for Pebbles on the bikes. It was bitterly cold especially when the sun went in and an easterly breeze picked up. Our route took us through Broughton then over the Dreva pass and on to Peebles via the Tweed Cycle Way. A hot bowl of soup, tea and cake were a must when we arrived.

After a quick wander around the town we set off for home hoping to warm up. We did a wee bit but the sun never reappeared so the temperature remained low. At 47 miles this was our longest ride of the year so far. Hopefully it will warm up soon so we can get some more miles in.

On the Peebles round.

For Easter Monday we decided to stay close to Symington so headed off to Culter Glen to climb Culter Fell. It was bright and breezy as we headed off for Fell Shin the ridge that would take us up to the summit. There was quite a lot of snow on this west facing slope which was nice and firm in places        making for good progress. The wind picked up as we climbed and it was bitterly cold. The views in all directions made up for this and we were soon on the summit.

It was too early to descend so we headed off to climb nearby Cardon Hill. The going was hard work over drifted snow so we found some shelter behind a cairn and had lunch before carrying on back to the car. The views back to Culter Fell and across the Clyde Valley to Tinto were fantastic. A great local round.

Climbing Culter Fell via Fell Shin.

Culter Fell summit - Susan's hill.

Tinto.

'It's a wee bit cold'

Cardon Hill summit.

Views of winter Culter Fell on the descent.

Tinto across the Clyde valley.

We were up and away early on Tuesday heading for the highlands. It was a beautiful journey north and the snow capped mountains looked stunning. We'd chosen to climb a Munro we'd both climbed before - Schiehallion - and were parked below it by 10am. The hill was very white so we chose to carry full winter equipment. It was very cold as we headed off but we soon warmed as we climbed at a steady pace. Unfortunately the cloud had built up so the views were limited. It was, nevertheless, great to be back in the highlands.

The snow soon became compact and we decided to put on Microspikes rather than full crampons. They stayed on right to the summit where the views were limited and where we had a chilly lunch.

The descent was via the same east ridge and it soon became clear that Schiehallion is a popular hill as we passed several family groups. Most were well equipped for the conditions but some were not. We met one group with four young children struggling to cross a hard snow slope quite low down and, 

after chatting with them about conditions higher up, they sensibly decided to turn back.

We reached our base for the next three days - The Atholl Arms Hotel in Blair Atholl - at about 4pm 

and decided to go for a wee bike ride before dinner. We did a 12 mile out and back route through Calvine to Old Struar which was a pleasant way to build up an appetite for a bar meal and pint. 

Climbing Schiehallion's east ridge and grey skies.

A chilly lunch on the summit.

Limited summit views.

'Lets get down to a warm car'.

Evening cycle in Perthshire.

Wednesday dawned cold but very bright so we decided to head off and do the only Munros Susan had not done nearby - the Glen Lyon Horseshoe of Carn Gorm, Meall Garbh, Carn Mairg and Meall ma Aighean. The hour drive to the start was stunning and we knew we were in for a good day.

There was only one car in the wee car park when we aand we soon saw this party on the hill above. They were ski touring and were always just ahead of us on the entire round. The conditions were excellent with almost complete snow cover, excellent views and little wind. We wore crampons for much of the day but the going was never difficult and we were on the fourth Munro in just over 5 hours. Amazingly we were passed by Gamekeeper on a Snowmobile on the final climb. We saw know one else all day. 

A fantastic day out was followed by another great bar meal in the hotel and we both slept well.

A well signposted start to Carn Gorm.

Climbing Carn Gorm - Munro number 1 - on a stunning day.

Happy to be out in the wonderful winter highlands again.

On route to Munro 2 - Meall Garbh - with views a plenty.

Munro number 2.

The view across Rannoch Moor.

On route to Munro 3 - Carn Mairg.

Munro 3 summit.

Alpine conditions - Easter in the highlands.

Munro number 4 - Meall ma Aighean.

Starting the descent to Glen Lyon.

The hills we traveled over.

A Scottish Mountaineer.

Back onto grass after 6 hours on snow.

What a place name!! - not what we think of the highland mountains.

As we had our bikes we decided to have a ride on Thursday. We wanted to visit some our favorite cafes so chose to start in Newtonmore. As we drove north the weather looked promising but once again it was cold at only 2 degrees. We set off for Aviemore into a strong head wind and it was bitter. 

Our first cafe was the Mountain Cafe in Aviemore where we had a hot drink and a 'Posh Scone' - superb. We then had a wander around town before heading for Boat of Garten. Cloud had built up by this time and it felt even colder. Despite this we decided to extend our planned route by following a minor road loop through the beautiful Abernethy Forest. The riding was excellent and we were soon back on our intended route to Coylumbridge despite one flooded section of road.

We had planned to visit the Ski Road Cafe at Glenmore but decided we didn't have time so carried on to the Inshriach Tearoom for some of their superb cake. From here  we rode under a cloudy sky back to the car to complete the 52 mile loop. A great wee ride.

Pics from the ride.

It was hard to decide which hills to do on Friday, our last day 'up north', as there were no nearby Munros on Susan's to do list and the weather looked great. In the end we chose Geal-Charn and A'Mharconaich to the west of the A9 on the Drumochter Pass.  We'd last climbed these in rain and low cloud so it was great to do them under blue skies with a good covering of snow.

We again ended up following two ski tourers but this time caught them up on the first top. The views in to Ben Alder and beyond were stunning. We'd chosen well.

The skiers beat us to the second top - but only just - and then headed off for two more summits. We had our lunch and then dropped down a superb ridge to the car and the road home to Symington.

Perhaps this is better than camping at Easter.

Climbing above the A9 on route to Geal-Charn.

The view to Ben Alder from Geal-Charn.

What a day!!!

Again conditions were more Alpine than Scottish Easter.

Summit shots on Munro 2 - A'Mharconaich.

Even the descent was fantastic.

Final river crossing.

Do we have to go 'down the road?'

I'd traveled light in the good weather.

After 7 active days we had a wee lie in on Saturday but, as it was another cold bright day, couldn't resist a cycle. We did a 28 mile loop over Dreva pass which was easy until we turned and headed home into a brisk headwind. We were pleased not to have gone further by the time we got back.

Another great wee cycle with some signs of Spring.

On Sunday we had a walk down to the River Clyde then packed up and headed home for Cumbria. We'd had another fantastic trip to Scotland.