Perthshire - Snowshoe sequel

I don't know exactly what it is about snowshoes that create an incredible sense of fun out in the snow. Perhaps it's the joy of the easy movement they afford across the winter landscape or the fear they banish of post-holing thigh deep in a snow drift. Whichever it is, this return visit to Blair Atholl was a huge amount of fun with the snowshoes.

We walked out of the village via Old Blair and soon strapped the snowshoes on as we started to ascend the forest tracks. There had been a little more snow since our visit the previous weekend. Soon we were free of the trees and picking our way up deeper snow, aiming for a modest wee hill above the village. 

We threaded our way up banks of snow to eventually arrive beside the summit cairn. There were more limited views this weekend but we did see a huge herd of deer pouring over the higher hills behind us. By the time we had dropped back down to where we'd left our camping kit, the light was already leaving the short winter day. But we'd planned a night time walk anyway to a camp spot at the head of Glen Banvie. 

We set out with just enough daylight to see by in the woods. As we left the trees and passed into the open glen, the snow reflected what light there was and the hills were bathed in a silky pale light. Without a drop of wind, the landscape and the evening were magical. Before too long, we did have to put on our headtorches. The beams shone a few metres ahead of us as we walked on through the snow and were now the only light in the pitch darkness. We were walking Comyn's Road, part of an old military route and even under snow, the path was easy to follow. I also knew well the camp spot we were aiming for, having used it a few times before. So when we re-entered woods, I knew we were almost there. It was funny how much further the miles seemed in the darkness though. By 6pm we were clearing snow and pitching the tents, leaving the evening ahead for a production line of hot chocolate, soup, mains then tea with Christmas cake. 

Next day, the morning light revealed the beauty of our camp spot as the tents nestled among snow-plastered pines. After the morning production line of coffee, porridge and more coffee, we walked back to Blair Atholl via a more southerly loop.

Fact File
Start/finish: Blair Atholl
Public Transport: Edinburgh to Inverness train
My route: Riverside path along River Tilt then back road to Old Blair. At the crossroads, took the track heading northwest on the north side of Banvie Burn. After about 1km another track joins it from the right. Took this track up through the woods and onto the open hillside, climbing an outlying top of Meall Reamhar. Returned to the track junction, continued northwest, crossed the river by the next bridge and followed the track northwest on the south side of the Banvie Burn. This can be followed in a loop to the head of Glen Banvie then south towards the Falls of Bruar before turning east back to Old Blair. 

Review of the snowshoes I used HERE.