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Not a good forecast but we got a good turnout with two passengers
this time, although Angus is keen to join the walkers as soon
as he can. There were nine young explorers: Alexander, Angus,
Anna, Donnie, Duncan, Lexi, Maggie, Peggy and Ruaridh, with
four adult helpers, Amy, Fiona, Issy and Rebecca, plus Jess
as the expedition dog.
It took a little time to get everything organised but soon
we were all across the bridge and starting along the track
to Gorteneorn. There have been a lot of expeditions along
this track but I can't remember one where the explorers ranged
so far into the surrounding country; we hardly knew where
they would turn up next, making short-lived camps among the
rocks and trees on either side.
Although most of the rocks around Acharacle are highly metamorphosed
and re-crystallised, there are a few outcrops where one can
see the original layers as they were laid down under an ancient
sea and we passed one of these on our way. Donnie and Maggie
spent some time collecting rock samples and even made balls
out of the mud. At the tearoom later I was amazed to find
it was little Anna who made a picture showing the rock strata.
By this time there was quite a cold wind blowing, felt more
keenly by the adults or at least the leader, and I was glad
when we got to the track which led up to the hydro dam, since
at least we had the wind at our backs. We had to park the
all-terrain buggy at this point in order to climb a steep
section of the track, but then it was an easy walk across
the bracken shoots to the croft called Airidh Iain.
This is one of my favourite 'secret places' and the young
explorers soon made themselves at home exploring the field,
the old house and the big oak tree with its strange 'cupboard'
in the rocks. We all took it easy sitting out of the wind
and enjoying our Tunnock's wafers and for a while we actually
got some sunshine. Alexander did some serious climbing in
the oak tree and two of the girls found a moss-covered rock
which made a marvellous seat.
One of my plans for this expedition involved a visit to the
railway line below the Gorten dam, but although we got a fair
way up the track, it proved too difficult to get all the way
so we left the railway for the next visit and headed back
to the cars. On the way, two of the boys collected sticks,
which they threw off the bridge to see how fast the river
was flowing.
Once in the warmth of the tearoom, everyone got down to some
serious drawing and I have picked out Alexander's composite
view showing the expedition crossing the bridge, himself and
Lexi climbing the tree, an acorn and an acorn cup and two
of the helpers, (note my rucksac).
John
Dye
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