Wednesday 25 May 2016

The Allt nan Gabhar

The Allt nan Gabhar, the stream of the goat, is such a favourite burn that we've wandered its banks many times.

It drains the west side of the forestry which clothes the slopes of Beinn nan Losgann. Its meandering has cut a series of steep bluffs between which lie sheltered, grassy terracettes; and, as one climbs upstream, there are constantly changing views of Ben Hiant and the ridge of Beinn na h-Urchrach.

This is the view downstream, with Beinn an Leahtaid to the right and Meall nan Con in the left distance. The road in to Kilchoan passes close to the corner of the forestry.

It's an area rich in archaeology. This is a very special site, one of our earliest archaeological discoveries, a stone circle which may be a Bronze or Iron Age hut circle but is more likely to be a rather older kerb cairn.

Fallow deer leave the cover of the forestry to come out to graze along its banks, while....

....the twisting nature of the glen means that we often come very close to red deer before they see us.

In places, the burn tumbles down a series of waterfalls, the tops of which....

....make ideal places to sit for a cup of coffee.

Sadly, the headwaters of the burn lie buried in the forestry, but if one continues up the hill one is treated to a panoramic view westwards. Mingary Castle is at bottom left, Kilchoan Bay in the middle distance at right, and the houses of Ormsaigbeg are strung out along the far side of the bay.

1 comment:

  1. Okay, this is the last time I'll do this, I promise....

    "Gabhar" must share a common root with the Welsh word for goat, "gafr", which is pronounced "gavv-rr".

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