The Girl at Leny Falls

I park my car. I’ve never been here before. I’m not sure what I’m doing or where I’m going. I open my door and walk over to the information board. It has a little map with a “you are here” sign but I still don’t know which way to go.

I can’t make out the map but I start walking. I walk past the barrier and come to a crossroads in a wooded area. There are two paths. I look to the left. There is another information board which is kind of hidden. I look to the right and there is one there too. I choose to go right.

As I start to walk up the forest hill I wonder if I’ll see the waterfall, or even if there is one... I keep walking, trying to hear the water. I hear birds tweeting. Then further up I see an older man with a dog and then an older lady with another dog. I smile and move to the right hand side to let them pass. The second dog stops to sniff me and I smile and say “hi” a few times. The lady lets me past the narrow pathway and I think to myself, ‘I hope I said thank you.’

I keep walking up the hill. It’s enclosed by trees but you can still see the sky and the sun. The pathway is slightly mucky and I become aware of the insects around me. I keep my attention on the ground as I don’t want to stand on any bugs.

I go further up the hill and wonder how long it will take to reach the top. I think about turning back... but I keep walking.

It’s nice and warm here. Not too cold and not too hot. Although I am sweating slightly. It is Thursday 21st April 2022, around 1pm.

I look back, wondering if there are people behind me, but I’m alone on the trail. I am starting to get out of breath as the slope becomes steeper but I tell myself to keep going.

I wonder about my outfit... I’m wearing white trainers and a blue tennis skirt and white top. I hope my trainers don’t get too mucky. My attention then turns to my phone. It has a low battery but I continue upwards. I want to reach the top now.

I keep walking and I reach a point where I can see through the trees down to where my car is. I can’t see it as it’s too small but I can see the white motorhome which I parked next to. As I’m going up the trail I now notice butterflies. One which is orange and black/brown. It’s really lovely. I keep walking and there are two now. As I get further up the butterfly lands and I take a picture with my phone. I then see a third butterfly which is white in colour with orange. It is pretty.

I keep walking on and on, further up until I come to a really muddy bit. I did think this may happen and I try my best to step on the stepping stones. I jump over to the cleanish bit and realise my shoes are mucky now.

I stop a couple of times to take in the views. There are more hills and trees and the sky is blue and the sun is shining.

I then realise I have reached the top. I am at the top of the Falls of Leny! I pull my phone out of my bag and take a selfie. It’s a beautiful day here and I want to capture the moment. Then I think I could maybe get lost up here on my own, so I quickly upload my picture to Facebook and let everyone know where I am.

I keep walking and come across a lovely view of Callander and the hills. I want to take a picture but can’t as my phone has run out of battery.

I keep going downhill and then there is another couple. The woman stops to speak to me, she doesn’t speak English but I realise she is asking me about the waterfall. I try to explain that I didn't see one on my way. She is with a man and his English is better. I explain about the waterfall and that it is possibly on the other side of the forest. So he tells his wife in their language, which is possibly German. I can tell she wants to keep going. I smile and the man asks if I’m in the ballet tonight. This makes me laugh and I continue down the hill.

When I finally make it back to where I parked my car I look at the map again. I notice that to the left of the forest there is a blue river so maybe there is a waterfall here after all.

I will have to come back another day to explore more. I get in my car and drive home.