Cashel Forest

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Loch Lomond from Cashel
Loch Lomond from Cashel

After what seemed like decades of rain (slight exaggeration, but not much) the sun came out a couple of Sundays ago and we headed for Loch Lomond and a walk in Cashel Forest. Now, I know Jude’s Bench Challenge is over but we just can’t help ourselves finding and photographing benches, so you will see plenty here. If anyone else is having withdrawal symptoms, I recommend the blog In memory of… (see also the associated Twitter account @MemorialBench, to which I’ve submitted quite a few benches).

We found our first bench as we left the carpark.

Carpark bench
Carpark bench

Then we headed up High Road, the longest (and highest – the clue’s in the name) of the three trails through the forest. It wasn’t long before we found another bench – with a great view.

View from Billy’s bench
Billy’s bench
Billy’s bench

Soon we hit the snowline. As well as the Loch, we could now see over to Conic Hill which we last climbed a year ago (read about it here).

View to Conic Hill
Anabel
John

At the highest point on our walk, there was another bench, this time dedicated to John and Rene.

John and Rene’s bench
John and Rene’s bench
John and Rene’s bench

As we descended, we detoured to the view point on the middle walk. The standing stone sculpture here is inscribed “And tomorrow the sun will shine again”.

Viewpoint
Loch Lomond from Cashel
The sun will shine again

Our final bench exhorted us to “take a pew, enjoy the view” – well, we did the latter but not the former as the seat was covered in snow.

Take a pew, enjoy the view
Take a pew, enjoy the view

From here it was an easy descent to loch-level where we found an area of trees used as memorials and an insect hotel, which I didn’t like to examine too closely, before arriving back at the car.

Memorial tree
Insect Hotel

I never seem to write about a walk without mentioning lunch – usually before we start. This time we were out early (well, earlyish – not like us, I know) so had a late, and delicious, lunch in Drymen at the Clachan Inn. Since then, the weather has gone back to its miserable norm, so we were glad of this bright day to blow the cobwebs away.

Linked to Jo’s Monday Walks. This week she’s in Rocha da Pena.

Scotland, UK ,

43 Comments »

  1. What a great area for a walk, Anabel! You make me want to drop everything and get to Scotland ASAP. But, maybe I should wait until there are more consistently sunny days in the forecast? Or would that be wishful thinking? 🙂 Living in a moderate climate again myself now (instead of the tropics), I do understand the importance of waiting for a nice day and then drop everything to go out and enjoy it!

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  3. Pingback: Jo’s Monday walk : Souter Lighthouse | restlessjo

  7. I know what you mean about the “decades of rain,” but at least it looks like there’s a bit of snow up there too! Plus all those snazzy benches! London winters are always grim because of the greyness and complete lack of snow, but this year’s is really getting me down for some reason. Usually I at least get a taste of snow when I’m in Ohio over Christmas, but this year I didn’t even have that to tide me over. Bloody global warming.

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  8. I did an admittedly less strenuous walk in the Botanic Gardens today and noticed that every single bench along the main paths is a memorial to someone (and often couples). It’s touching to walk along and read all the tributes to loved ones.

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  12. Ah, benches. I must admit I am missing my bench challenge. Lots of lovely views here Anabel and snow! Wow! We are forecast a hoar frost on Wednesday so I must go out with the camera. it has been so long, but other things getting in the way at the moment.

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  21. Isn’t it strange how rainy days go on forever and sunny ones just disappear? We’ve got a rare sunny one today so I’ve been to the beach and will possibly do park this afternoon because I have to go out to buy food, and I might as well enjoy it, mightn’t I? 🙂 The traces of snow on this look rather wonderful, Anabel, and I was mildly envious for a while. Thanks for the bench links- seems like a good idea, and thanks for your link to mine. 🙂

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