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 !

Bervie Bash - 28th December 2015

Great to catch up with John. Jim , Steve and finally meet up with the other Jim who kindly lent me a beachcaster and reel for the day. 

It was gnarly out there and the photo's don't do the anger of the sea justice. Even though folk lost wheens of terminal tackle and it was a pretty much fishless day apart from Jim nearly catching a baby Orca that he nearly landed till it made off with one of his rod's and reels.

 It was a great day out and the haddock supper I had at the Bervie Chipper is the best I've ever had.






It was gnarly out there.

Jim, Jim, John and Steve. 

Great day out in great company. All the best when it comes.

Just a Wee Walk up The Hills

Went up the local hills last Sunday. Good wee walk :-)

L

Loch Etive 2 Years ago Today

En route to Cadderlie Bothy 2 years ago today, Loch Etive.



A wee rock cod near the quarry

Great trip, great company.

Come By The Hills

Had a wee trip to a mountain bothy last weekend. Where after driving my way up to and down the million pound racetrack into the lands of Lochaber and Locheil I met with Mark, Sandra, Ian and Steven. 

Sadly, one of the intended party who shall remain "Anonymous " failed to join us.

After a late start, I almost found myself under the cover of darkness as I launched the kayak and headed for the beacon of light that was the candle lit bothy window. But what great company I found therein.

"Come by the hills to the land where fancy is free,

And stand where the peaks meet the sky and the rocks reach the sea,

Where the rivers run clean and the bracken is gold in the sun,

And cares of tomorrow must wait till this day is done. "

Back at the vice

Been tying up some claret dabbler type flies I like.

The trout quite like them too.

Good Day on The Carron Dam

Good day up the Carron Dam today with Billy and Nigel. No blanks, stacks of browns, a few rainbows and quite a few misses. 

Billy out fished me and Nige by a long shot taking about 20 browns and 3 bows on quite a hard day with an East Wind to boot.

Big change in the weather over the last couple of days and we were glad to get in at five p.m. after 8 hours on the water as it was getting pretty nippy.

Some New Additions to the Bushcraft Armoury

Was down at my local army surplus the other day and picked up some new bushcraft tools.

I have Crusader MK1 and Mk2 cooksets but find them a bit too bulky so am trying to put something together along the lines of the pathfinder canteen and cookset for a fraction of the cost that I can stow in a British Army water bottle webbing pouch when I'm on the move along with fire starting kit and a bottke of meths. This will give me the option to cook with wood, solid fuel tabs or meths using a Trangia Burner.

The items pictured are a USA GI canteen water bottle, Esbit " small " solid fuel stove, Zippo petrol lighter, Mora Companion SS knife and a GI canteen cup. Am hoping to buy another GI cup to make a pot stand / burner windshield soon. The pack of cards is to give a size comparison for the closed Esbit stove.

Wagglers and Whips

Decided to get the float rods out and head off coarse fishing today. Myself and my young companion had quite a productive day with a few mirror and common carp between us fished off a pellet waggler on a match rod by me and a body up pole float of a whip by the youngster.

This one took a couple of red maggots fished just off the bottom on a pole float.

A small carp that could have been mirror but it was only very sparsely marked with mirror scales.

Looks promising and putting up a good scrap.

Ready for the net.

Pristine specimen of a common carp with lovely big scales.

A nice common in the 8 - 10 lb range that took a red and white maggot fished quite close to the bottom off of a pellet waggler and a Daiwa match rod.

You'll take the high road

Went for a paddle and a bit of fishing on Loch Lomond this weekend. Nae fish but fantastic weather and also met up with a great bunch of people. Bivvied up at the loch side but my feet were absolutely freezing in the morning, need a pair of furry sleeping bag socks socks meethinks.

 Setting out at Rowardennan

 The Big Loch

 Bivvied Up

Campfire Craik

 A cold night

Cold feet !