Kilmahog guards one of the key routes into the Highlands.
In New Zealand's South Island, the way south into Dunedin is guarded by 2 hills the more northerly of which is called The Kilmog.
In the 1950s and 60s The Kilmog had a fearsome reputation. The route over The Kilmog was a gear grinding, radiator boiling, slog, particularly for underpowered Austins and overloaded trucks. Many young rugby fans travelling south in old bangers to see a Ranfurly Shield (rugby) match at Carisbrooke had a story about breaking down or boiling the radiator on the Kilmog.
By the time I was tackling it in my little Vauxhall in the late 70s bits had been straightened, cuttings made, passing lanes added in the slowest uphill stretches, and these days it is motorway standard and modern cars spin along with careless ease. No one would dream of wondering if they might not be better to tackle it in reverse! (That's another story from the youth of my grandfather who hacked about the colonial roads of SI in a beat up model T Ford, and had tales of needing to climb some hills in reverse because even low gear couldn't handle it. Mind you model T's had a planetary gear system and low gear could wear out.... making reverse your better option.)
I can't say for certain that Kilmog is a contraction of Kilmahog, but I had to visit it anyway. I had a pleasant walk along a cycle route developed on the embankment of a dismantled railway and along the way enjoyed a view of the Falls of Leny.
(Scotland has a lot of water. I come from a country where water sluices off mountains, surges down streams and rivers, and cascades through rapids so crashing fresh water has a certain basal appeal. I'm contemplating a post just about waterfalls.)
This part of Scotland has a fantastic cycle route network. A lot of it is on closed down railway lines and on forest roads. Many towns and villages are connected by cycle routes that don't use public roads. They appear to be popular and well maintained.
all of this is new to me, almost every word is new. I like the way the strainer post looks. old rusty things appeal to me. as do waterfalls. the fun thing today is the word Kilmahog. My Mad brain went right to Kill My Hog when I read it...
ReplyDeleteThis post so reminds me of the long letters my father sent my mother in 1955, just before they were married. He and two university friends drove all the way from Nottingham across Europe down to Belgrade, and crossing the Alps involved much bother with radiators overheating and worn gears, (I have to wonder how interesting my mother found his very car-focussed travel tales, but sadly I only found this treasure trove of letters after they we both dead).
ReplyDeleteCheers, Gail.
Hari OM
ReplyDeleteI am guessing you may have paid a visit to the nearby Falls of Bracklinn at Callander, whilst tootling aboot?! Yes, we are fortunate with our water (and wind) supply... YAM xx
Beeching's cuts did some good and many now enjoy the benefit of wide , flat, mostly straight routes to cycle and walk.
ReplyDeleteWe have lots of Greenways in Ireland made from repurposed railway lines and tarmaced and signposted for walkers, runners and cyclists. The Inland Waterways have made British canals navigable again for leisure.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos, and an interesting story. Thank you for posting!
ReplyDeleteI hadn't known The Kilmog had such a reputation, having only seen it in its new guise, but I do remember having cars regularly boil whenever we drove over the Mamaku Range to Rotorua. Always have a can of water in the back of the car!
ReplyDeleteThe Kilmog is still a stiff haul from either side.
ReplyDeleteKilmahog looks interesting
I love reading about these things on the other side of the world. And, how interesting that I remember my dad telling stories of the trucks turning around and going in reverse to get up certain hills.
ReplyDeleteWhat does a waterfall do to your body?
ReplyDeleteThey also help in reduction of the free radicals which cause the damage of cells, DNA and proteins in the body through the release of the negative ions. Waterfalls also help in reducing stress and depression. the negative ions released causes calmness and this somehow alleviates the stress and depression. so there is that!
The strainer post is a work of art, I reckon.
I love the land up there, beautiful, wild!
So it's not just me liking crashing water. I wonder what something like the Sutherland Falls (NZ) do to free radicals. I couldn't look at them from the bottom for all the spray in the air.
DeleteComing from the driest continent on the planet seeing lots of water is lovely.
ReplyDeleteEven in countries with abundant water I still cringe at seeing being wasted by leaving a tap running.
We saw lots of waterfalls all over the Scottish highlands. Beautiful