Monday, 31 December 2007

Hogmanay again, 2007 - the Black Wood walk, further on.

Photobucket
Here was the source of the increasing roaring sound as we walked through the wood: the lovely 'eas' or waterfall, rushing down to the loch.

Hogmanay, 2007.

It is also the Feast Day of John Wycliffe, AD 1384, who was a reformer. Now that's an interesting description. I suppose the folk of his day looked shocked and askance at his reforms, seeking the status quo. So, what's new nowadays I wonder?
The day before yesterday we walked in the Black Wood above Loch Rannoch. It is part of both the Tay Forest and the old Caledonian Forest. Snow on the tops of Schiehallion and the mountains range of Glencoe, clearly visible down the loch and stark against the clear blue sky. Schiehallion was the nearest mountain and was also covered in whispy white cloud whipping off the top. In the sun it looked spectacular. Deep in the Black Wood there was a lovely, deep silence. The mushroomy, pine needly smell under the Scots Pines was deep and crisp. Icycles drooped from the upper branches and rain globules were in rows lower down, glistening in the sunlight. A Blackcock called from somewhere deep in the Black Wood. Siskins 'sissed' from the upper branches. A glimpse through the wood to the Loch showed a skein of Barnacle geese feeding by the lochside. The watchman goose eyed us suspiciously as if to ask.'What are you doing here; can't we feed in peace?' So we left them in peace and continued our walk in the wood. Then, in the deep silence of the forest there was a gradual roaring noise and then, through a gap there it was; a roaring waterfall rushing down through the gorge. Then we circled through the wood and returned to Kinloch Rannoch for a late lunch at the Community Venture shop by the petrol pump, for home-made leek and potato soup and lovely Stovies oh, and of course, plus a pot of tea and a laugh with the lady who served us. Then a leisurely motor down the glen back to Killiecrankie House where we arrived at around 2.30pm as the light began to fade into darkness. Night comes early in the Highlands in winter. Next morning there was a hoar frost everywhere and we were awakened by the cocker spaniel having a mad half-hour, rushing around the hedges in the grounds, from the side gardens to the vegetable garden and then the fruit garden and back again, so full of life it was exhausting to watch her.Photobucket Schiehallion, overlooking Loch Rannoch and the Coillie Dubh (the Black Wood ).

Killiecrankie House
Photobucket
After a wash and change it was time for a wee dram before dinner -
Photobucket