|
A
bit of background first: during the 2006 -2007 Geology
classes at Argyll College, an idea was mooted -
that it would be a good idea to walk the entire length
of the famous Loch Ba Ring Dyke (known hereafter as the
LBRD). At the time of writing this, 12th August 2007, it
is being proposed to do this walk on Saturday the 25th
August, depending on the weather.
What follows is information about this trip and
hopefully a write up and pictures of it afterwards.
There is some good background information online at the
Scottish Geology web site page about the LBRD :
Loch Ba Ring Dyke
In the Mull Memoir, the following map is given on page
338:
This
shows the extent of the dyke and also the fact that it
is not continuous, with parts of it faulted out. As the
map reveals, the total distance is about 15 miles. There
is also a small amount of walking on estate roads at the
beginning and end of the trip. The
memoir also makes it clear that parts of the dyke are not well
exposed. The best exposed parts are between Loch Ba and
Beinn nan Gabhar and the section on the other side of
Loch Ba running north east towards Glen Forsa.
However stream sections reveal a lot of the rest of it.
Much of the ground is boggy, tussocky and some of it is
forested. This will make for a challenging walk!
Crossing the River Forsa could be entertaining as well.
Probably the best place to start is on the side of Loch
Ba at Coille na Sroine, where the dyke is very obvious,
running all the way up to Beinn a' Ghraig. It is steep,
but straightforward. Beinn nan Gabhar down into Glen
Clachaig is simple enough. There is a steep pull up onto
the Cruachan ridge before dropping again towards the
head of Glen Cannel and Beinn Chaisgidle. The streams
here show good exposure of the dyke. It will be boggy
and tussocky heading over to Glen Forsa - there is also
a forested bit so perhaps a little detour to the
Tomsleibhe bothy might be in order! Crossing the upper
part of Glen Forsa is easy as there is a bridge - the
dyke follows the east side of the glen, but not at any
great altitude, so the walking, if wet , will not be
strenuous. After crossing the Forsa somehow, there is a
bit of a pull up on to Benn nan Lus and then it is
straightforward over the tops of Na Bacanan and Sron
nam Boc to descend finally to Loch Ba.
Some Links:
Some pictures:
Looking down on Loch Ba near the start of the walk:
Some close up detail of
the actual rock. Notice the swirls of basic material
included in the felsite:
The upper part of the
dyke near the summit ridge of Beinn a' Ghraig:
Looking across Loch Ba
from the Ring Dyke at the top of the ridge. The higest
hill over on the right hand side is Beinn Talaidh:
Finally, a picture
looking down onto Loch Ba from near the top of the ridge
of Beinn a' Ghraig:
Onto Part II of the Ring Dyke
Walk... |
