Uamh Mhor, Kilmadock, Perthshire, Scotland

“The one where Ailsa Gray didn’t read my text” or “the one where Ailsa got stuck in a snowdrift.”

[Ailsa: “and almost died, Shuna!”]

Ailsa was all ready for a little saunter to Annat followed by a bagel and coffee. The reality was a 6 hour walk up to Uamh Mhor (Uamvar). You did say you wanted to go there, Ailsa!

[Ryk: “This looks like it’s straight out of Tolkien!”]

Uamh Mhor is a rocky outcrop used as a hideout for bandits and robbers – including Rob Roy. None of the photos can do this place justice! Cannot say this enough. It is hidden high on a steep hillside – took us a while to find it – and has so many nooks and crannies that could easily hide up here while observing the entire landscape below . You can see the world from Uamh Mhor but the world cannot see you.

There were some interesting snowdrifts to overcome and we did have a few comedy(?) moments in what could be described as tricky terrain. The views take in the carse of Stirling with the Touch hills in the background, then further west is Aberfoyle/Menteith, Callander and a Loch Venachar in view and Brackland in the foreground, continuing round to Ben Ledi, Glen Artney and the mountains of Stuc a Chroin and Ben Vorlich. A great place for cattle rustlers to hide out and Jacobites hiding from Red Coats. A great day…. — with Ailsa Gray.