OS Map of Wester Hill

P2 Mount Battock & Clochnaben

The view from above Glen Lethnot northward to Mount Battock and Clochnaben with its granite tor.

19-Oct-15 • Grahamtravels • flickr

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P3 Mount Keen beyond Black Hill

The view to the distant cone of the summit of Mount Keen near Ballater.

19-Oct-15 • Grahamtravels • flickr

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P9 Hill of Glansie

The summit trig point on Hill of Glansie.

19-Oct-15 • Grahamtravels • flickr

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P10 Hill of Glansie from Birse Shades

Hill of Glansie seen from the east on the way to Mount Sned.

19-Oct-15 • Grahamtravels • flickr

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P12 Eroded peat Mount Sned

Several areas of peat appear to be eroding away on the hills in Glen Lethnot, forming areas of heather "islands" among the barer peat areas.

19-Oct-15 • Grahamtravels • flickr

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Scottish Desert

You might be wondering why I've given this photo the odd title of "Scottish Desert", despite the scene looking quite lush and green. When I was www.flickr.com/photos/k-burn/17092983669/ here in April , the overall colour of the glen was a dusty yellow and the large, expansive valley felt like it could have gone on forever. Just imagine the grasslands being replaced with sand and scrub and swap the thistle in the foreground with a cactus and the illusion will be complete. The bridge that can be seen spanning the Water of Saughs doesn't seem to lead anywhere but it's still fun to walk over.

06-Aug-15 • K-Burn • flickr

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Basic Bridge

The suspension bridge is perhaps the best known classic bridge design. They can be as simple or as complex as you need them to be. In this case, simplicity has been chosen. The Water of Saughs is crossed in a single span that makes no contact with the fast flowing water below. Poles at either end host the cables that support and hold up the wooden deck and said cables are well anchored into the ground at either end. Whilst this bridge looks flimsy, it's design allows for movement and its lightweight nature means it's more likely to avoid damage during windy periods. Walking over it alone was certainly a fun experience. I had every confidence in the towers and the cables but the wooden deck directly had a tendency to creak when stepped on. I have a lot of respect for bridges like this. Although I've titled this photo "Basic Bridge", this isn't the most basic suspension bridge I've come across. In Glen Nevis, the idea of a www.flickr.com/photos/k-burn/5445160005/ basic suspension bridge is taken to the extreme as three steel cables cross the river. Two to hold onto and one to walk across...

09-Apr-15 • K-Burn • flickr

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Glen Lethnot: The Forgotten Glen

It's been almost five years since I was last able to witness this spectacular viewpoint, situated at the top of West Craig, overlooking Glen Lethnot. In the far distance, there's a small patch of commercial pine forest. That's where the car park lies. From there, you can follow the course of both the track and the Water of Saughs through the glen. On foot, this track makes for an easy walk until it dives off to the north ascending into the hills. To reach this point, a regular walker's path splits off from the track and zig zags its way up the hillside, rising nearly 200 metres in about half a mile. As you can see, the reward for climbing the hill at the back of the glen are most definitely worth it. By the cairn situated at the edge of the hill is a small plaque dedicated to Richard J. Castleton which is engraved with "A Quiet Sleep In The Hills".

09-Apr-15 • K-Burn • flickr

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Electric Version

28-May-12 • Nick Bramhall • flickr

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Hazy morning light

28-May-12 • Nick Bramhall • flickr

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