Ben Ledi

Part 1

The path begins opposite the bridge and you climb up through forest.  The path is steep, but you will soon be rewarded with spectacular views looking up Loch Lubnaig.

On this particular day however, I drove through fog which seemed to be covering the whole of Scotland, and so there were no views of Loch Lubnaig but I quickly climbed above the fog and was rewarded with this equally impressive sight!

The advantages of an early start!

Part 2

You finally clear the trees, and the path stretches out ahead, curving off to the left, heading steeply up to shoulder of Ben Ledi.

Looking ahead, the weather was so different from the fog below!

As I climbed higher, the fog below was beginning to lift offering even more wonderful views.

Part 3

The path is quite long and steep, with stone steps at some points, but when you finally reach the shoulder, you get your first views over the other side.

From here, you can see Ben Lomond (left) and the Arrochar Alps and the Cobbler (right).

Part 4

In front of you now, you can see the path leading steeply up to what appears to be the summit - but be warned, this is just the first of two false summits, and when you get to the top and see that you have to go down and then up another equally steep slope, it can make the legs wobble a bit!

But I just put my head down, try not to look too far ahead and take it steady and you get there in the end.

Finally you make it to the top and can sit and admire the breathtaking views - definitely worth it!

Before the summit you will see a metal cross which was erected in memory of Sgt Harry Lawrie, a member of one of the Scottish Mountain Rescue teams who was killed in a helicopter crash.

Have a rest and admire the view before returning down the same way

You Have Been Warned

There is a sign at the start of the Ben Ledi path, which warns that the weather on the Scottish mountains can change quickly and unexpectedly.

A month before I took the shots above, I set out to climb Ben Ledi to get the pictures for this article.  The forecast was perfect, and as it turned out, the weather was perfect - warm, cloudless skies and hardly a breath of wind........

......read on

Looking back over Loch Lubnaig, at this point it was so hot, I was stripping off layers.

Heading up the path to the ridge - beautiful, cloudless blue skies

Almost at the ridge, I turned around to admire the view and...

....Where did that come from?

And in no time at all....

By the time I reached the top, the wind was driving the rain into my face and I could hardly see the path ahead.

When they say the weather can change quickly on the Scottish Mountains - they mean it!