The first time I walked up forested Glen Boltachan and out across the heathery moorland to Loch Boltachan, I thought the loch must be haunted. Weird and mournful groans echoed around the surrounding hills.

It was only when I reached the shore that I found out the source of the noise – dozens of mating toads piled up on top of each other in the water. The shallows were strung with necklaces of spawn.

I've been back several times in spring and summer, but always too late in the year to encounter the same April frenzy. Maybe you will be lucky? The loch is visited on Day 2 of the Clan Ring, the walk from Comrie to St Fillans via Dunira.

Submitted by: Felicity, from Comrie