|
Hill: Beinn an Oir
Company: Ian, Jim and Judy
Date: Saturday 18th July 2009
Author: Ian Bryce
Judy, Jim and Ian ascended Beinn an Oir by walking up past the south side of
Loch an t-Siob where the fisherman's bothy made a comfortable place to stop. We
then ascended the path on the grassy rake up to Beinn an Oir. The alternative of
walking up scree would have been tedious. Beinn an Oir has a lot of character,
even in light cloud but in bad weather any of the 3 Paps could be quite an
undertaking. We returned by the rake and an excellent path to the north of the
loch. There was lots of sunshine at lower levels and the walking and cycling at
the coast was very pleasant with seals and sea birds and boats in abundance.
With stiff NW winds we did not need "Skin so Soft" and amazingly did not see any
deer, adders, ticks, midges or rain for which Jura is infamous.
On Sunday the three of us cycled back for the ferry and stopped to enjoy the
superb organic walled garden built at the beginning of the 19th century by the
Campbell’s of Jura. With the nearby gulf steam and facing south, the garden can
support a lot of unusual non hardy plants with the listed stone built wall and
strategically placed shelter belts of trees helping to create this flourishing
oasis among the rugged moorland of Jura.
We saw the large collection of Australasian plants including a eucalyptus tree.
There are also a large variety of perennials, many allowed to self-seed creating
a loose and natural style, with other shrubs and secluded corners and streams
resulting in a surprising mosaic of different colours and moods. Outside the
garden towards the sea there is a magnificent wildflower meadow, even better
than Our Wullie's wild garden at the City Of Culture.
|
