A late decision on Saturday afternoon saw myself, Alison and Michael doing Ben Lomond via the Ptarmigan Ridge on Sunday. We made good progress up the first steep climb before it levelled off. The forecast was for sunny intervals with scattered showers, although the latter didn't materialise, just a few bits of mist on the summit.

We eventually reached the steep North West slopes of Ben Lomond and made our way to the summit although it seemed a lot less scrambly than the last time I did it. In fact Michael was visibly disappointed at the lack of a good scramble!

And so we joined the crowds on the summit and found a space for some lunch. Then down the never ending tourist path back to Rowardennan where we met Robin and his daughter Lorna on the way to the top. Into the Rowardennan Hotel sun soaked beer garden for a pint. Unfortunately this didn't last long as dark clouds gathered and eventually the skies opened along with thunder and lightning. So this presumably was forecast the scattered showers! Fortunately Robin and Lorna made it back before the rain came on but others I'm sure would not have been so lucky. And the drive back was interesting - a boat would not have been out of place at times!

Steve Morley