Ben Challum

On a scorching day in late August, Blairgowrie and DistrictHillwalking Club travelled to Tyndrum and fielded three walking partiestackling the munro Ben Challum, a Corbett Beinn Chaorach and a stretch of the WestHighland Way between Crianlarich and Tyndrum.

Both climbing parties started off in Strath Fillan but soonfollowed different routes to their preferred hills, climbing steadily on steepsided grassy slopes to reach the summits of Ben Challum (1025m) and BeinnChaorach (818m). The heat made it hard going and finding the right head ware toseek shelter from the sun proved an interesting challenge for some.

The views all round were spectacular especially theCrianlarich hills (Ben More, Stob Binnein and Cruach Ardrain), clear lines tothe Ben Lui group and further north and west. As the heat was exhausting somevery thirsty walkers enjoyed refreshments on their return to Tyndrum.

A smaller party opted for a shorter and shadier walk on theWest Highland Way enjoying many close brushes with butterflies and iridescentdragonflies and fragrant heather as well as taking time to checkout culturalfeatures and chat with visitors. Scotland looking magnificent and what acontrast to our previous outing but, as hill-walkers, we enjoy such challengesand the company and friendship of fellow walkers.

The club is going to Mull for a weekend in September and thenext Sunday walk is on Sunday 6th October to Linn of Dee. The annualslide night will be held on Friday 4th October in Blairgowrie Golfclub – all welcome.  More information onclub events is available on the club’s website www.bdhc.org.uk

Photograph at the summit of Ben Challum