Bit of a Blair Witch Weekend on Loch Long

Had arranged to meet up with some friends for an overnighter near Arrochar on Loch Long. Turned into a bit of an epic with 4000ft of ascent/descent and a 5 mile trek with a massive pack. Only to find the guys by total accident, camped 5 mins from where I started and about 2 mins from the car, just off the main road.

My pal Stevie had an even more interesting story to tell having walked about the same distance as me trying to find the camp and then encountering the sheer luck to be picked up by the SBS for a ride along the loch from near the submarine base in their rib to where Ant and the Two Dave's were pitched up.

Here's a wee video of my travails that culminated in a braw overnighter in good company round a blazing campfire on a night where temperarures got down to -5...



May the fire be always lit ;-) ...

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Forever Tainted

 I read this very transparent and informative article by Cameron McNeish on the Walk Highlands Magazine Site Today and it pretty much sums up the shameful state of affairs regarding camping access in Scotland's first National Park.

People really need to take notice and get motivated with regard to getting this decision reversed as it is merely the tip of the iceberg of the way things are going under the current Government in Scotland and as Mr. McNeish says :-

"If an SNP government can take us in this direction with camping byelaws, what next? Byelaws to control mountain biking, walking, canoeing and swimming, for example?"

The unfortunate thing is it's already happened. Under this Legislation bent Government, despite existing Police powers to combat anti social behaviour by a minority, Scotland must be one of the only countries in the world where it is now a CRIMINAL OFFENCE to have a beer or glass of wine on a public beach with your picnic. And, should you be unfortunate enough to be merely reported or even have it alleged you are guilty of such a HEINOUS CRIME then you can be detained, in a Police Cell, under SECTION 14 of the CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (SCOTLAND) ACT 1995, for a period of up to 12 hours, WITHOUT CHARGE, until the Police ascertain whether you are guilty or in fact innocent of ANY CRIME  in the first place.

I suppose one upside of being caught camping "illegally"  in or on the borders of The Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park EXCLUSION ZONE on a cold, wet, windy Scottish night is that you could find yourself banged up in a nice warm Police cell for the evening while the Cop's carry out their investigations as to whether you were actually within the exclusion zone in the first place.

Here's a link to an article I wrote about the Original East Loch Lomond Camping Ban

And here is a Link to Cameron's article in Walk Highlands

May The Fire Be Always Lit !

By Yon Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond 12 -14th June 2015

Had a couple of days on Lomondside camping and kayaking at the weekend with some good friends and where I met some new one's.

Responsible camping in the National Park by responsible people where no trace was left behind.

The way it should be ....

All of the wood used for the camp fire was deadfall with not a single piece of wood cut from a living tree and all trace of the camp fire was removed before leaving. Would've liked to have posted an as it was before we arrived picture before leaving but the charge on the camera ran out. Unfortunately, there are just some things you can't plan for ;-)

            

MAY THE FIRE BE ALWAYS LIT !

May The Fire be Always Lit

Just over a week ago my good friend Chris invited me for a spot of fishing on his club water. It was an excellent day out in great company with some fantastic fishing. Here's a wee photo taster of what's to come with a full write up to follow in the next couple of days.

" May the fire be always lit So that we may come and sit."