A walk up Ben Vrackie, the mountain that overlooks Pitlochry.

[@davidcalder8210]

A great video there James thanks 🙏

[@JamesRattray]

Thank you David, I really appreciate you letting me know. Best wishes.

[@pauloseara1638]

Amazing video! Done today the walking on that path. It was quiet until the dam by the foot of the stairwell to the summit. Returning proved more difficult, but we managed well. The day before we done a walking from Moulin to Graigower, just to warm up.

[@haraldtheyounger5504]

You got a great day for it. Last time we went up BV, it was 22c, way too hot and added to the challenge for us 60 + 70 years olds!

[@JamesRattray]

I am in your age bracket too. Yews it wasn't too hot which was perfect. Thanks for your comments.

[@haraldtheyounger5504]

@@JamesRattray Used to like viewing the Pitlochry cams, but they've been down for years now. Although Victoria's is still open, theirs was the last to go offline.

[@JamesRattray]

@@haraldtheyounger5504 I will pass your comments to a friend of mine who knows about them and try and find out why they are down.

[@haraldtheyounger5504]

Thanks. One was placed on Victoria's, the other over from Fishers and the last one seemed to be placed above the old gift shop which is now Mountain Warehouse on the corner of West Moulin Rd. They gave a nice sharp picture too.

[@JamesRattray]

@@haraldtheyounger5504 I think it was Victorias and the Old Mill who owned a flat over looking the main street, but I am sure you will know better having watched the cams. I have passed your comment to a friend, when he replies, I will let you know what has happened to the web cams.

[@conradowl]

I love it. Now I'm sure I can walk with my dog there, path isn't too narrow. Great movie, exactly what I was looking for 👍 I'm heading up tomorrow there, thanks again and good luck for you

[@francismccann3811]

Excellent footage I'm heading up there tomorrow morning this was very helpful

[@JamesRattray]

Thank you. Enjoy yourself, it is a great walk.

[@BostonsRandJ]

THANKS for the wonderful hike!

[@JamesRattray]

You are welcome. Have you done it or will you do it one day?

[@BostonsRandJ]

@@JamesRattray Oh, I wish! The day I hit a few trails around Pitlochry: crossed the suspension bridge, sipped wee drams at Blair Athol, got lost but finally found the trailhead to Black Spout and eventually made my way to Moulin for a pint. The mountain above the brewery was nowhere in sight. It was shrouded in the darkest clouds I've ever seen. We'd planned to return to Scotland last year, but... Cheers,

[@JamesRattray]

@@BostonsRandJ Never mind, if you want it to happen, you will make it happen. I love your description of your day in Pitlochry. Brilliant!

[@oc7414]

wonderful, thank you

[@JamesRattray]

Your comment made me stop and watch it again. I will encourage my wife to watch it with me. Long time since I saw it too. Thank you for leaving a comment.

[@jennifercufley1728]

I loved watching this. Last climbed Ben - y - Vrackie 40 years ago. Well done.

[@JamesRattray]

Brilliant Jennifer, I last climbed it 23 years ago. Interesting you using the term Ben-y-Vrackie as opposed to Ben Vrackie which I used. I will do some digging on this and see why there are two versions. I know the spelling of Ben-y-vrackie or Ben Vrackie is a corruption of the original Gaelic. Thank you for your comments, much appreciated.

[@jennifercufley1728]

Colin Liddell in his book " Pitlochry a history " says that Ben - y - Vrackie was known as Ben Vrackie until about the First World War. However, my father, who was born in 1916, always called it Ben - y - Vrackie and so did everyone in Pitlochry I knew growing up there. Ben Vrackie sounds strange to my ears. I don't suppose I'll climb it again , so watching your video is the next best thing.

[@JamesRattray]

@@jennifercufley1728 thank you Jennifer, that is really interesting. I have always called it Ben Vrackie, but I am an incomer, been in this area for 25 years. I should have checked which version to use, as a number of people have corrected me on this. Interestingly the map in the car park has 'Ben Vrackie' while the signage has Ben-y-Vrackie. I noticed when re-watching the video that on one of the signs at least, some one has removed the 'y'. I am going to put a page on my web site www.Pitlochry-Scotland.net on Ben-y-Vrackie and I may well use your explanation, if you do not mind, as I think it is very enlightening. Thank you.

[@PrincessofNusa]

Beautiful walk with an amazing view !

[@onion_wind]

Absolutely love Perthshire. Probably the most beautiful region of Scotland.

[@JamesRattray]

Thank you. We would agree with regards its beauty, possibly due to it being located in the middle of Scotland, the glens are wide and flat, so there is agriculture, crops and good farming while the rugged tops and moorland is also present. Thank you for sharing that with us.

[@charleneledbetter511]

Thank you for this very informative video. We are hoping for good weather this May as we walk through this part of Perthshire. It gives us a good idea of what to expect. Just beautiful

[@JamesRattray]

Thank you Charlene for commenting. There are some excellent views from he top. Many say coming down is the worst par of he climb.

[@williammclauchlan2610]

Great video,both very informative and interesting.My wife and I are visiting Pitlochry in a few weeks time and are doing this walk,this will be my first stretch back since I tore my hamstring a few months ago so fingers crossed it holds up.Thank you for sharing.

[@JamesRattray]

Thank you William, I really appreciate the time you have taken to share your thoughts with me. I enjoy making videos of places and experiences I have enjoyed. Have a good walk and great day. Best wishes

[@DavyNelson]

Brilliant James & what a glorious day you had as well.

[@JamesRattray]

Thank you Davy - I really appreciate that. This encourages me to try and cover other walks topics in a similar style, with supportive information and stories from the past.

[@bobgeddes12]

Thank you for an enjoyable video , very informative, I'm hoping to be in Pitlochry in July

[@JamesRattray]

Thank you Bob for your feedback. Pitlochry has lots of brilliant walks and is a great area to visit. Our web site breaks this down in more detail pitlochry-scotland.co.uk/

[@Rulzion]

Enjoyed your walk James - what a great day!

[@JamesRattray]

Thanks Rulz - I hope you noticed the pauses this time between the clips as you suggested. Thanks for all your input too.

[@girinka10]

Visiting Pitlochry once a year as my sister and my cousin live there...great little victorian spot set in a beautiful nature. Easily get by train to the north or to Edinburgh. Hoping to visit my family there again after the restrictions ease....

[@chriscunnison114]

Lovely video.

[@JamesRattray]

Thank you Chris - hope you are keeping well, long time no see!

[@deeperinwards]

Would anybody say it's fairly safe to attempt to sleep overnight at the summit of Ben Vrackie (with a sleeping bag or rolled up sheets and a blanket, earplugs, an eye mask and other preparations)? It might be fridge-cold, but not freezing, and not extremely windy on the right night?

[@JamesRattray]

It's all about taking the right measures and precautions. If you think of it people sleep out on Everest to take one extreme, but they have appropriate sleeping bags and clothing etc. Time of year is a big factor. Sleeping out in July and August is totally different to January or February. Make sure you have too much clothing and your sleeping bag is a good quality with high insulation. Take food (mars bars too) and plenty of water. Have a look at some of the mountaineering and out door web sites, I am sure they will have really good advice.