Stefan Durkacz

Sometimes you can get a lot from a short walk, especially if you take it slowly - as you're forced to with young'uns in tow. We were staying near Crianlarich for a long weekend, trying to avoid being hopelessly pinned down by ex-hurricanes, working our way though a ridiculously large selection of footwear to cover all weathers. Sunday afternoon offered a windy window so we headed to Killin for a low level walk by the head of Loch Tay and ruined Finlarig Castle, returning to tea and cake in the village. There was a lot for the senses to take in - buffeting winds, fast-moving skies, sombre light and crackling autumn colours. We found a dead jay (my daughter was captivated by the vivid blue wing bars and wanted to take a feather) and a ruined castle - Finlarig Castle , as it happened. Here are a few pictures - click to make bigger.

I've created a slideshow complete with field recordings of the long walk I did earlier this year. It's about 14 minutes long - enough time to get your headphones on and settle down with a cup of tea to enjoy a cross-section of the sights and sounds of Scotland's magnificent countryside. Inspiration for this came from David Lintern's slideshow of his trip along the Haute Route Pyrenees , and Rucksack Rose's Pennine Way slideshows . A walk around the River Tay watershed from Stefan Durkacz on Vimeo . I walked in aid of two great charities, Scottish Wild Land Group and Venture Trust . If you're inspired by what you see and hear, and like what these charities do, you can still donate. Visit https://mydonate.bt.com/ fundraisers/ taycatchmentwalkswlg to donate to Scottish Wild Land Group, and https://mydonate.bt.com/ fundraisers/taycatchmentwalkvt to donate to Venture Trust.

Walking and camping: the yin and yang of backpacking. I've written quite a bit about the walking, so here's the story of the campsites. I remembered to take a picture of all except one. Camping in a big puddle in the pouring rain at the back of the Kingshouse Hotel, I wasn't in the mood. The morning of the first day, making porridge and tea at the Tayview caravan park in Monifieth. It's mostly static caravans, right on the seafront, with a little lawn for tents. I arrived by train in Dundee the afternoon before, stomach in knots as what I was about to do sank in, far too late. I bussed out of town. Do you know Monifieth, asked the smiling conductor. She made sure I got off at the right stop. The caravan park has a little cafe and I ate omelette and chips and listened to the aftermath of St Johnstone's Scottish Cup victory over Tayside rivals Dundee United. Synchronicity? The cafe owner came over to chat and dispensed a promising long range forecast when I said I was...

Planning a first long-distance walk could be described as a huge learning curve. But a curve suggests a smooth and straightforward progression. Really it's more haphazard than that. There is much to learn in many different fields. (Mountain) hares are set running in all directions in pursuit of expertise: gear, navigation, weather, fitness, nutrition, logistics, route planning... Everything needed to be safe and successful, serious rather than half-arsed. Things that reams are written about and careers built upon. Perhaps 'growing a tree of knowledge' is a better way of putting it (pretentious though!). Something complex but coherent. Making the decision to do this has revitalised many semi-dormant passions and interests. I'm amazed at how I'm suddenly able to find the time for these things, although on paper having less time than ever before, between a full-time job and children. If you want something enough...! It may not be as core as safety and survival, but ma...