This weekend and another good walk, the forecast was for snow and ice on higher hills so we decided to head West to Lochearnhead to start the 6.5 mile Glen Ogle Circuit, starting at the Scout Station road, this took us up to and along the old Balquidder to Killin junction railway, long since redundant and filled in, forming part of the Rob Roy Way, which makes for a great walk. The path eventually took us over the viaduct, usually viewed from the road when out for a run on our bikes.
It was 1st June 1870 when trains first rose to the challenge posed by the climb up Glen Ogle, clinging to its west side whilst rising at 1:60 for six miles. Not far from the summit, the line curved eastwards on a radius of about 20 chains to cross a three-arched bridge, followed almost immediately by the 12 segmental arches of Glen Ogle Viaduct. Although subsequently changed, initial designs record a single structure of 20 arches. Built in rock-faced stone, the viaduct extends for 150 yards with the northernmost third being straight in plan. It carried a single track. The tapered piers still feature four projections on each side at springing level, used to support the arches' timber centring. A single refuge is provided above one of the piers. The abutments are skewed due to the land falling away to the east. Telegraph wires were carried on poles alongside the viaduct, one of which remains, albeit no longer vertical. This section of line from Balquhidder to Killin Junction was cited for closure in November 1965, however a landslide to the south of the viaduct brought a slightly premature end to services on 27th September.
The return leg was through a very boggy loosely termed path between the Ogle Burn and the road till about half way then we crossed the A85, up and down fields, crossing 11 burns just on the East side alone, eventually reaching Lochearnhead again. Great to be out in such beautiful scenery, hopefully much more to see this year whether on 2 legs or 4 like Sitka or on 2 wheels.
Our route recorded on Viewranger
Lesley and Sitka leading the way
The path up to the old railway line
Loch Earn viewed from the railway line
Plenty waterfalls from the hills above
Heading up hill into the snow line
The rocks held up by the brick embankment
Glen Ogle Viaduct
The Viaduct pointing the way to our return path
Lesley and Sitka still smiling in the snow
Lesley's turn as photographer
Looking back down the track
The start of our return journey, not as visible as it was from above
One of many burns to cross
The viaduct again
Looking back up the return path
Ben Vorlich looking majestic covered in snow
