Over The Hill

Lying to the south of Loch Venachar and bounded to the east and south by the main A81 Callander to Glasgow road, Ben Gullipen and Beinn Dearg form a narrow hump-backed ridge, the sides of which are quite heavily forested. However, their summits are clear of the forest line and offer unrestricted views of the surrounding hills, lochs, and on a fine day the Wallace Monument and Stirling are quite visible.

Today we were setting off from the centre of Callander and taking one of the many forest paths and tracks which weave their way along the lower slopes of Ben Gullipen and eventually link up with the main track serving the radio transmitters situated on the summit of Ben Gullipen. Whichever route you take, it is a steady and gradual ascent, initially through the forest, with a number of turns and junctions where some care is needed to ensure you stay on your intended route and not wander off on some dead-end track. Eventually, the main track leaves the forest, and the views begin to open up as you climb in a series of turns to the 414m high summit of Ben Gullipen. Upon arrival initial impressions may be muted somewhat, as transmitter masts and outbuildings dominate the view. The trick is to continue over a rough stile at the edge of the transmitter fenceline and walk a few metres over the rough heather to a point beyond the buildings. Here is where your efforts are rewarded, as you have unrestricted views over the waters of Loch Venachar to Ben Ledi and beyond. Ideally, using the transmitters as a central point and circumnavigating them gives you a 360 degree view from mountain to lowland.

In contrast to the lower forested areas, the summit and main ridge are covered in deep heather and quite rocky in places, and it takes a little effort to make the transit from the summit of Ben Gullipen down, passed the small Lochan Balloch and then to ascend the slopes of Beinn Dearg. But again, the resulting views are well worth the effort, as this, the higher of the two summits, at 427m, is a little gem in itself. The weather was clear, but with quite a cool breeze, and so, rather that lunch on the summit we decided to return to the shore of Lochan Balloch and find a sheltered spot for a well earned break.

Our return route to Callander was simply to retrace our outbound route; and so, lunch over, we made the short but steep ascent back to the summit of Ben Gullipen, and then a leisurely walk back along the forest track to Callander, where coffee was taken in the gardens of The Meadows Café. Excellent. Thanks Pat