Trossachs trip

 On Sunday evening Linda had messaged Ali about the weather forecast and suggested that we change our plan for Monday and recommended a low-level hike at Balquhidder instead of the climb up Ben Ledi. Ali reckoned that her weather app gave a better forecast and we should stick to the original plan. 

So, on Monday morning we drove to Ben Ledi - passing Balquhidder on the way to find the weather was looking quite good as we prepared for the climb - only for Ali to announce that she now thought we'd be better to heed the original forecast and go for the low-level walk instead - so we drove 25 minutes back to Balquhidder and enjoyed the hike from the churchyard by Rob Roy's Grave with no sign of rain or strong winds, a clear view of the top of Ben Ledi in the sunshine (!), a waterfall at Kirkton Glen and a lookout point at Creag na Tuirch - the gathering place of Clan MacLaren - with views along Loch Voil towards Ben More. - apparently Ali thinks that I'm intolerant??

Monachyle Mhor was very pleasant - an excellent restaurant - with a lot of South African staff - an impressive wine list and a comfortable room - with a pair of slipper baths??

Breakfast was just as good as dinner the night before - fuel for our trip to Loch Katrine, where Ali had booked three E-bikes -for Linda, Toby and herself- and a 7-speed 'hybrid' bike for me. Good view of SS Sir Walter Scott preparing for it's first morning voyage along the loch.  

It was a lovely morning for a ride - bright and sunny with the threat of rain showers. Perfect Midge weather! It was fine while we were moving - so we didn't stop for more than a few minutes at a time on the outward 13 mile ride from Trossachs Pier to Stronachlachar. A few more hills than I had expected - no problem for the e-bikers on turbo mode but I was glad of my regular spin classes. The biggest hill was downhill on the way out but promised pain on the return.

Good coffee and cake at Stronachlachar pier, but the rain started as we started the return journey. The big climb was a 12.5% gradient which was a bit testing and meant Linda was standing at the top waiting to take my photo as I reached the crest.

Thankfully the sun came out so we had dried off by the time we got back to the Pier.