Yesterday late afternoon, after a successful trip to get a new expedition rucksack to replace my old worn-out pack, I decided on a quick walk up onto the edge of the Ochil Hills through the deep and atmospheric Alva Glen. Previously I’d left the woodland by a path that leads up onto open hillsides and a steady ascent to the ridges above. This time I decided to turn left and follow the path further up the glen itself; gorge is really a better term.
The path becomes precipitous, in these lower and more popular parts there is a sturdy fence to prevent a fall into the deep gorge below, hissing with concealed waterfalls in deep channels with occasional huge rounded boulders that indicate a period of immensely powerful spate, probably resulting from the collapse of lakes forming above behind ice walls as the Ice Age gave way to a warmer climate. Many of the trees here struggle up against vertical rock, exposed roots enlarged and contorted by long gripping the cracks and edges in their upward growth; long, arthritic twisting limbs supporting trunks with dramatic shapes, reaching for the narrow band of sky.
I emerged from the forested section onto a rougher, rockier path around a tall spur and pinnacle. As I reached the top, I saw the dark overhang of the so-called smugglers’ cave below me, where the hard lavas had resisted the water and only given way in a grudging compromise with a thin, dark channel for the water that had scooped out a cave-like section. Climbing beyond on steadily narrower paths on a steep slope, I kept an eye out for future small camping spots, mindful of the occasional undercut soil and fragile nature of the path.
The gorge continues, with at least one hanging valley discharging a tall and lovely waterfall into another wooded and atmospheric bowl on the eastern side. I saw this as I climbed up the western slope through short-grazed bilberry plants and, a welcome change from bracken, well-established ferns and heather. I had to choose whether to stop and sketch, my original aim, or press on to reach the head of the glen; I chose to sketch before returning.
Evening cool was setting in and I wanted to get back in reasonable time before sunset so the studies were quick. I enjoyed the process and think I’ve captured something of the feel of the view there. My phone battery was too low to take photos so I spent some time just looking, letting go as best I could of the concepts that kept popping into my mind and that I find interfere with clear perception and inspiration. I don’t think I had much success but the practice is the thing.
Watercolour
sepia pencil and water-soluble pencil
Later, at home, looking back through my landscape sketchbook, I found these from a bigger day on Ben More and Stob Binnein in the snow back in March, when I found a sheltered snow seat on the south side of the summit of Stob Binnein and made some quick studies in water-soluble Inktense pencils, tried to add a wash and found the water freezing in the brush despite the bright sunlight.
Looking SE from Stob Binnein – Ben Vorlich and Stuc a Chroin
Ochil Hills – walking to Rough Castle Roman fort.
A few days earlier, I’d taken a walk from my flat in Falkirk to the old Roman fort known as Rough Castle, a major encampment on the Antonine Wall. The snow remained on the hills, no longer keeping us off work, but the clouds were low, the hills hints of different tones. Then the clouds made gaps and the hills revealed themselves briefly, partly camouflaged by their snowy coat.
There are a lot of full berries growing on the Rowan trees, some say that is a sign of a hard winter to come. I’m looking at a new pair of winter mountain boots, a purchase for the Autumn, more comfortable than my present ones and better for arduous winter days and icy slopes.
In the meantime I’m also looking again at my sketching and painting equipment, at ways of making it more efficient and easy to use on the hills, lightweight and fitting the practical demands of being outdoors in what may be poor conditions. I’m looking back at the studies I made in acrylic on brown card last year during a trip to Mull. I’d like to do more like that but am still getting the hang of dealing with paint, water, slow drying in damp air and the rigors of a box squashed into a rucksack. Work in progress.
