The Nebit & The Growls

Snow widespread in the UK but all clear in Stirling although Ochils have a coating so a perfect day to take a walk. Took car to Alva Glen and cut across to Silverburn and walked in to the valley . I always like this view of the waterfall just as you leave the car park. No snow here but it wasn't long before I was in it.    

                        

This is the view of Craighorn as I walked along the west side of Ben Ever. As I got deeper in to the valley the cloud descended and it began to look as if I wouldn't get a view from the top so I turned around and decided instead to climb The Nebit which was at the back of me and bathed in sunshine. One of the benefits of being retired - I can just go back another day !     

As I headed back down towards The Nebit this is the view of Craig Elsie and Mid Cairn which I had climbed earlier but not taken any photos          

       

This is the view of The Nebit as I headed back down - felt like one of the wise men following the light!

This is me looking back up the valley ( from whence I had come) from the top of The Nebit with Craighorn on the left and Ben Ever on the right       

                                                                  

At the top the skies cleared and there was clear blue sky all around with absolutely stunning views - would have probably been ok heading for Ben Buck but at the top of Nebit took a call from Carol looking for me to pick her up from work so everything turned out ok

King's Seat Hill incorporating Bank Hill and Banks of Dollar

Festive period over and with good weather forecast , a perfect opportunity to get back on the Ochils journey. Took car to Castle Campbell , Dollar and set off to conquer Kings Seat Hill ( one of the seven Donald's) in the Ochils.

Set off from main entrance to Castle and headed up into the hills with great views of the castle wherever you looked.

Took a very brief detour to climb Bank Hill (355) and then rejoined path on way to King's Seat. Bank Hill is the hill on the right as you look at the photo of the castle

Near to the top I found the second memorial I've seen in the hills - the last one was on Mid Cairn - this one was to remember three spitfires which flew from RAF Grangemouth and crashed near this hill.

Reached top of King's Seat with blue sky and checked out Tarmangie and Whitewisp which look as if they can be reached from KS although it would be sensible to do the Saddle when doing them and I couldn't see a path as I came down

Climbed Banks of Dollar on the way back down but to be fair it was pretty uninspiring and really just let me say I had done it

Arrived back at car to find a deer playing near the car but just couldn't get close enough for a photo without disturbing it