The Evans walk is the 'only' path on Jura & is even named on the OS map, it leaves the A846 heading for Glenbatrick Lodge, the summer residence of Lord Astor. The path was originally constructed for Henry Evans who held the lease on the Forest, Inver & parts of the Tarbert Estates in 1888. He had only one leg so the path was to aid his crossing to Glenbatrick on horseback.
He spent his time studying deer & was the forefather of deer management but was also instrumental in clearing crofts on Jura to make way for deer.
Not only did George Orwell appreciate Jura for its remoteness it is alleged in 1963, Christine Keeler & Mandy Rice-Davies where hidden at Glenbatrick to escape the press over the Profumo Affair!
Evan's walk begins from a small lay-by just over half a mile from the Corran River...
At least the paps where in cloud, although I thought mountain bikes where included under access rules???
Looking back to Loch na Mile & Corran Sands...
I followed a well trodden route (not the Evans route) over very wet ground, Corra Bheinn holding onto a whiff of cloud...
Loch na Fudarlaich homes into view, on the Evan's Path proper now...
unnamed loch & the first glimpse of Loch Tarbert...
zoom to Beinn an Oir, which of course is clear...
the path descends beside some pleasant cascades in the Glenbatrick River...
Beinn Shiantaidh is also clear, picked the wrong days for my walks...
Glenbatrick Lodge sits on a raised beach...
nearly stepped on this fella, I spotted my 1st Adder last year on Mull but it escaped before I got to the camera, I don't think this one had warmed up enough to be too active...
the back of Glenbatrick Lodge...
& the front, unfortunaley Lord Astor wasn't home so I couldn't stop for a cuppa!!!
white beaches...
Beinn Shiantaidh & Beinn an Oir beyond Glenbatrick Lodge...
Glenbatrick again...
followed the same route back...
but stayed on the Evan's Path rather than following my approach route to Loch na Clolche...
which was drier underfoot...
& more obvious, but did get boggy near the road...
last view of the Paps...
Not sure what I think of Evans. And I'm sure he would have found it easier walking than riding with one leg!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos - especially the one of Beinn an Oir's ridge - reminds me of Brandon Mountain's East Ridge a bit there...
Did the Profumo Affair girls ask to be sent there so they could get very drunk on whisky and forget all their worries? ;-)
Carol.
Chances were he sat on a pony and his man servant led the way! Beinn an Oir does look good from that side doesn't it :)
ReplyDeleteFor my next visit (maybe a year or two off yet!) I was considering cycling up the West coast from Feolin Ferry and approaching Beinn a' Chaolais & an Oir from the West.
Possibly but they were probably sent there so the politician's involved could hopefully forget their worries!!
I know you have a back log of things to do once you compleat but a visit to Jura should be among them :D