#ben vrackie

[talesofstorm]

[tommymacsblog]

Oxytropis halleri (Mountain Milk-vetch/Purple Oxytropis) at Ben Vrackie, near to Pitlochry. British Isles rare plant. Photo by Tom MacDonald 30/5/2020.

Informative link > https://stories.rbge.org.uk/archives/29635

[inblackwhiteandcolour]

Ben Vrackie, Scotland

[on-misty-mountains]

We returned to Ben Vrackie in February, when it was completely covered with a thick blanket of snow. I came prepared for any potential conditions (for a good weather day anyway), with ice spikes in case it was very icy, gaiters to keep out the snow etc. It took about 4h to get up to the top, starting from the car park, wading through deep snow, facing burning cold wind right at the top, where everything was frozen. The fun part was to walk down the snow on the way back. It took 30 minutes to cover the same distance I covered in 3h on the way up. I enjoyed myself very much and I hope you also enjoy!

[on-misty-mountains]

Ben Vrackie in Deep Snow

This walk was both incredibly exhausting and exciting. Exhausting because I was wading through deep snow, following the footsteps of others to not fall into a treacherous pile of unstable snow. The wind always blows around the mountain and some of the snow gets piles up high, some of it probably up to my chest, while some of the snow is frozen and can be walked on pretty comfortably. Exciting because there were ‘ice sculptures’ everywhere, fascinating shapes, some round, some geometric. The top of the mountain was covered in ice and a harsh wind was blowing. My face hurt like it hasn’t hurt in the while. Perhaps that’s what it takes to feel alive. Towards the North extends the Cairngorms plateau, which was completely covered in snow, making the mountains look like the dunes of a desert. The way down was incredible. I just walked straight down the thick blanket of snow, my every step being cushioned. If the snow became too soft and I started to ‘swim’ in it, I just had to correct my course and find a firmer path. It took 30 minutes to cover the same distance I covered in 3h on the way up. In this case, I guess, the pain was totally worth the gain.

There’s a travel vlog up on my channel. 

[wisdomfish]

Trinity: What we can’t see and what we can

When I go back to Scotland, I have often enjoyed climbing a mountain called Ben Vrackie that towers over the small town of Pitlochry that sits in the valley below.

I have made that climb in all kind of weather conditions, but there is one occasion I will never forget. As I was climbing, one of these scotch mists came down. But I kept going, and eventually, as I kept going up this hill, I got above this mist.

So, when I got to the top I was looking down on a blanket of mist that had settled over the town below. It was absolutely spectacular. The only thing I couldn’t see was anything in the town, but I could see everything that was outside of the town.

I find that picture helpful when thinking about the nature of God. We cannot see into the mystery of the trinity. What God has revealed is beyond what any of us can understand. We cannot explain how one God can exist in three persons. But we can clearly identify what lies beyond the bounds of this truth.

For example, if someone says that Christ is less than God, or that there are many gods, we can immediately see from the Scriptures that this lies outside of the truth. The mist covers the truth itself, but that which is outside the truth can be clearly seen.

~ Colin Smith

[on-misty-mountains]

Walking the Scottish Highlands - Ben Vrackie

Scottish weather is changeable, especially in the mountainous areas, and so we found ourselves amidst rainy and sunny intervals. You could see the rain clouds being dragged across the land while the sun would light up green meadows for contrast.  

Some footage here. 

[on-misty-mountains]

Footage of walking up Ben Vrackie. Just to practice my editing skills. Lo-fi, but I hope you still enjoy. ;)