26 www.inverness-courier.co.ukFriday, February 4, 2011

DARKNESS, but one walker had beaten me to it — just. Ronald was gearing up ready to set off on his

round of the four Munros in the Beinn Dearg group as I arrived at the walkers’ car park at the foot of Glen Squaib.

His excited Labrador was eager to get going but we chatted for a few minutes and I told Ronald, also from Inverness, that I was aiming at only one of the Munros — Cona-Mheall — missed out on a previous round.

This was my first time out with full winter kit and snow was very much in evidence on the high hills.

But it was not down low enough to impede progress on the bike for the first three kilometres to the edge of the forestry plantation in the lower part of the glen.

That marks the beginning of a long walk to a little group of

lochans beneath two of the Munros — Beinn Dearg to the south and Meall nan Ceapraichean to the north.

Although Ronald had set off before me on foot, I expected to catch up with him on the bike. But there was no sign of him by the time I reached the forest boundary.

Four-and-a-half kilometres of walking lay ahead on the good stalkers’ path that leads to the bealach and the lochans at 860 metres.

On the way interest is maintained by views of Beinn Dearg’s northern cliffs which harbour some good ice climbs — among them a couple of classics, Emerald Gully and Penguin Gully.

I could see that ice was beginning to form already at this early stage in the season — a portent that we were in for what has proved to be another hard winter.

I arrived at the bealach with light snow falling and visibility poor. My way lay straight ahead to the east but I took a compass bearing to be on the safe side.

There’s an intervening bump between the bealach and Cona-Mheall and I decided to skirt round it on its south side, affording a better view down into the dramatic Choire Ghranda, cradling a lochan.

Crossing the wall that acts as a guide for the climb up Beinn Dearg, I picked my way carefully over snowy boulders, marvelling at Choire Ghranda, to arrive at the base of Cona-Mheall.

A line of fresh footprints and pawprints led upwards through the snow and into the mist. Sure enough, not long after I began my ascent, Ronald and the dog appeared coming down.

Ronald’s GPS told him he had already covered 13 kilometres with two Munros left to go on his circuit and the walk back down Glen Squaib.

I urged him to be careful on the descent from Meall nan Ceapraichean en route to Eididh nan Clach Geala, the final Munro, because of a series of hidden slabs which can make it tricky if the right line is not taken.

However, he seemed competent

enough and his impressive speed covering the ground earned him the nickname Ronald the Rocket.

We parted company and I continued upwards on my quest for Cona-Mheall’s summit, reached soon afterwards at the small cairn marking it. I was deprived of any sort of view by the mist and snow showers so set off down again quickly.

Reversing my route to the

lochans I could see from the footprints that Ronald had decided to come this way too.

Then the mist cleared enough for me to get a better view of Choire Ghranda and I sat down to enjoy it and get a bite to eat.

There’s nothing better than being in a wild place with a grand view so I lingered for a while before continuing.

Beinn Dearg was clearing

enough by now to tempt me up it but on the cusp of the decision it clagged in again so I abandoned the idea and carried on to meet the path down the glen.

This must have been a dogs’ day out because two collies appeared, closely followed by their owner, who stopped for a blether. He had made a late start and was debating which hill to climb before heading back.

We parted company and I headed on down Glen Squaib, taking occasional backward glances at Beinn Dearg and Meall nan Ceapraichean, which were clearing intermittently then disappearing back into the mist.

Just before the forest boundary a

woman came up the path towards me accompanied by yet another dog. She was local and not going far she assured me — not being equipped for venturing on to the tops at such a late stage in the day.

It was good to get back to the bike for the ride back to the car park — all downhill with the chance to get a bit of speed up to add a bit of excitement.

I reached the car just as the light was beginning to fade. Ronald the Rocket had already gone.

By Peter Evansp.evans@spp-group.com

active outdoors

gardening

A day chasing Ronald the Rocket

Icicles on a crag heading for Cona-Mheall.

Mist swirls above Loch a’ Choire Ghranda under the cliffs on the west side of Cona-Mheall.

Next week — John Davidson enjoys a stroll above Loch Ness with a mix of woodland wonders and open views

Plan now for the first days back in action

Erica’s saucy secret helps sales to soar

WITH the weather being mild at the moment it is very easy for us to get

excited about being in the garden, but it is still too early to do most of the early season jobs.

Instead we recommend getting ahead by starting to make plans for the coming season. Plan what vegetables and flowers you want to grow and begin to put together shopping lists of what you may need to buy. As well as the usual trays, labels and compost, do not forget items such as growhouses and cloches. They can be a great help by providing some protection against the weather, therefore slightly extending the growing season. A good tip is to buy these items early whilst stocks on the shelves are plentiful and promotional offers are available. This will save you money and also makes sure that you have all the items required at hand and are ready to go.

Also, consider doing any jobs now that can reduce the work load come the gardening season. Dig over and prepare flower beds and vegetable plots. Once done, cover with black plastic to help prevent weeds and also warm the soil. One tip that worked well for us last year was to remove the black plastic and cover with clear plastic a few weeks before planting or sowing. This allows light to the soil, which along with the increase in heat and humidity will force dormant weed seed to germinate. These weeds can then be hoed off, thus preventing the problem after planting.

Our other tip is to build raised beds for growing fruit and veg. This eliminates the need for lots of digging, and also solves the problem of poor soils. These can be constructed very easy from lengths of wood. A strong frame is essential, followed by

a coating of timber preservative to prevent rot. Also consider putting a base and wheels on to the bed so it becomes mobile. This allows it to be moved in to a frost free environment if required.

Once constructed fill the bed with a good quality growing media. I would

recommend a loam-based compost or, if you have it, your own garden compost. Try to avoid using multi-purpose compost as this is not often adequate for long term crops. For large beds it may be best to import and fill with top soil. Prior to filling, do not forget to ensure that there is a suitable

drainage layer at the base.These beds can then be

used to grow a wide range of crops from salads to leeks and also carrots and potatoes.

Search through seed catalogues and visit the garden centre to look for new improved varieties that may be tastier or more disease resistant. This can also help to provide you with further inspiration.

Pre-season maintainance of tools can also be of benefit. Make sure lawnmowers are working and blades are sharpened. Check strimmers for cord and buy replacements if necessary. Make sure tools are clean and their handles are not split.

Finally, do not forget to sterilise greenhouses, polytunnels, seed trays and pots to eliminate bacteria and promote healthy plants. It is also a good time to jet wash slabs and patios then refill with kiln-dried sand.

Erica — known popularly as heath or heather — has fabulous winter flowers, but did you know it also hides a saucy secret that has seen its sales soar over the last couple of years?

an accidental discovery by a gardener in Berkshire revealed that winter flowering heather has an effect on men similar to Viagra. This claim has been verified by botanists at the royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh.

The Viagra-analogue is extracted by soaking the flower heads in alcohol, although there is still some division of thought as to whether the best results are obtained from topical application or oral consumption. amongst the most potent are forms of Erica carnea, which are commonly found in gardens.

reproduction seems to be a common theme for this plant as it is particularly attractive to bees and flying insects, providing winter nectar and a great early pollen source for our ever diminishing bee population. Heather and bees have long gone together but it is not just bees that benefit. Many heathers provide an important food source for butterfly and moth species too.

Some varieties of Erica plants flower all winter; this can bring

much needed colour to otherwise dull winter gardens. The foliage of these plants comes in a wide variety of colours including a range of greens (dark, lime, mid or sea), golden and yellow-tipped. The delicate, bell-shaped flowers can be snow-white, lavender or bright pink.

a variety that is of particular interest at this time of year, due to its dark green leaves and its intense pink flowers, is Erica carnea King George. This hardy Erica is compact and will flower

right the way through from December to april. Golden Starlet has white flowers and blooms from December until March, its yellow foliage turns lime-green in the winter and reaches a height of 15cm. Even more striking tones can be found in cultivars such as Myretoun ruby, which delivers magenta/crimson flowers and dark green foliage from January until May. cultivar Nathalie yields red flowers with dark foliage from January until april and can reach a height of 25cm.

Itching to get out into the garden? We may be a few weeks away from being able to make a proper start but horticulturalists from Simpson’s Garden Centre in Inverness have plenty of ideas to keep you busy.

Catch up withall the gardening and great outdoors news at...www.inverness-courier.co.uk

Erica cultivar Myretoun Ruby — flowers from January to May.

Raised beds will reduce the amount of digging needed and overcome problem soils.

to keep your garden trim

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