A More Successful Hike

The two formations at the summit of Dumyat. I believe the metal cage filled with rocks is just to mark the summit. The concrete pillar used to have carvings on it, but due to the weather, it's no longer legible. The silver, carved monument is a nod to the soldiers who fought in the military in Scotland. 

Shortly after I first got to Stirling, I decided to hike to the top of Dumyat, the closest of the Ochil Hills. If you've been following my blog for a while, you know that that particular trip feel fall short of ideal. This week, when literally all week long it's been sunny and in the 60's (which is not typical Scottish weather, by the way), I decided it was time for a second attempt at the climb. This time I was going to be prepared. I packed my hiking backpack with an extra pair of pants, two extra shirts, my leather jacket for a wind-breaker, a hat and gloves. If you think this is a bit much for 60 degree weather, just keep in mind that the last time I made this hike I ended up at the summit in near-blizzard conditions. In a tribute to just how pale I am, I also had to go to the chemist to buy sunscreen before I left. I had gone out the day before for a run, and ended up slightly burnt (I was out for about 45 minutes). So, yes, in a country where the weather is typically overcast and often looks like it's about to rain, I had to buy sunscreen.

The lambs following their mother! They're so adorable.

So once I was all ready to go, I added Pooh Bear and my camera to the backpack, filled my water bottle up, and headed out. I headed onto the trail behind Geddes Court. I was headed for the road I'd used to get back to Stirling at the end of my last hike, but I was hoping I could find a hiking trail to follow instead. I ended up hiking for about ten minutes before I switched to the road. I knew where the road went, so I figured I'd be better off following that than wandering through the woods with a vague idea of where I was headed. Within minutes, taking the road was well worth it. It's certainly not as good as a trail through the woods, but I soon came across a field scattered with sheep. And for the first time, I saw a group of tiny, tiny lambs following close to their mother. It was so adorable!!

The River Forth, as seen from Dumyat's summit.

About half an hour after that, I got to the gate that leads to the path that a lot of people travel to the summit. I got there at the same time as a couple, and two friends and their dog. I was trying to keep a faster pace, so I was soon quite a ways ahead of them. I don't know exactly how long it took, but I'd guess it was about an hour, hour and a half before I got to the summit. The views were breathtaking. You really can see for miles from Dumyat's summit. Stirling sprawls far below you to the right, and you can see the River Forth snaking through the scenery in front of you. Off in the distance, you can see the faint outlines of mountains that are surely miles and miles away. Behind you, you can see more of the rolling hills--one of them covered with wind turbines that looks like children's spinners from this distance. Being able to see all of this is simply magical.

The view of Stirling, as well as the hill right next to Dumyat, from Dumyat's summit. It's hard to point it out here, but you can see the Wallace Monument and I believe you can see Airthrey Loch from here. It's a truly incredible view.

Me and Pooh Bear at the summit of Dumyat. Ironically, this
the exact spot where I huddled for protection from the wind
and the snow when I got caught in blizzard-like conditions.

I spent a few minutes at the summit. I met an older couple from the West Coast, around Skye and more in the Scottish highlands. They told me a bit about Skye and asked where I was from and why I was in Scotland. I explained that I was from the United States, here for the semester to study at Stirling University. When I said that I was from Pennsylvania (not far from New York City, since a lot of people don't know the states), the gentleman said "Wow, you've walked quite a way to get here then!" I love some of the Scottish humor like this. They were both very kind, and we talked for a while, and then they went behind a bit of rocks for a picnic. The wind was getting quite strong, so I soon changed out of my t-shirt into one of the long sleeved shirts I'd packed, and I headed back down the mountain. It's amazing how the hike back somehow is both easier and more difficult. Easier because rather than climbing, you're descending, but more difficult because (at least for me) there's a risk of your foot slipping and you falling flat on your bum (some more Scottish terminology for you there!). I made it without falling, although there were a few times where I skidded a few feet. I passed the people I had arrived at the trailhead with, and they were surprised to see that I was already coming back down.

Does anyone else think of the Whomping Willow and the
Forbidden Forest when they see this? Because I really do.

On the way back, I took a different path to campus than I had taken to get to the summit. I was hoping to find a trail that actually went through the woods, rather than walking down the edge of a road. So when the trail came to a fork, I took the path that I had seen people walking on, but had never been on myself. The path meandered through the fields. I soon came to a section of woods, which I'm pretty sure is one of the hills right behind campus. Here, I had another Potterhead moment. I saw this old, gnarled tree and instantly thought of the Whomping Willow. And the tree, standing a short distance from the woods, made me think of the Whomping Willow and the Forbidden Forest. So I of course spent five minutes looking about for a castle, or even Hagrid Hut before finally moving on.

When I first stepped back into the woods, I had this overwhelming sense that I had just walked into a fairytale. Everything about the woods just seemed magical and surreal. I made my way down the trail, which wound through the woods. After a while, I emerged from the woods to find a bunch of students out on the grass enjoying the beautiful weather. I found it funny, them wearing jean shorts and drinking beers, and I was there, emerging from the forest with a hiking backpack strapped to my torso. After that, I went through this tunnel of trees and emerged into more woods. It was a nice walk through the woods, until finally I emerged onto another road. I followed the road for about five minutes until I came onto the gardens behind Airthrey Castle, which sits right at the edge of campus.

This doesn't even capture the magic of those woods, but this is where I felt I had walked straight into a fairytale.

More of the incredible woods. I love the woods here!
They're really, truly awesome.

The creek near the end of my hike. I was actually sitting
on a log above the creek when I took this.

Even though this wasn't the 'authentic Scottish experience,' it was really, truly a great day. I got to experience some amazing views, as well as a good hike. I got to see a lot of really awesome things, and I'm still half-convinced I found the Whomping Willow, which mean Hogwarts is nearby. And trust me, if it is, I'll find it! (For those that know me, my obsession with all things isn't surprising, but for those who don't, I hope you don't mind!).

A tout a l'heure!