The Heart of the Highlands

Thursday and I'm sitting on a bridge by the Kings House Hotel in Glencoe with the breeze blowing and the sun shining.

Home for the night!

This is the most amazing scenery here in the Cairngorms.

13 miles today from Bridge of Orchy to Glencoe.

The weather was really, really bad so decided to stay at the hotel.  I had planned to do a 20-miler but now, instead of having 2 days rest at Fort William I'll have one.

Red Deer from Kings House Hotel - Spectacular!

The view from the hotel is amazing, I can see red deer grazing with wonderful views right down the valley.

I can see clearly...

..now the rain has gone!

A 19 miler today from Inveroran to Bridge of Orchy.

Troll free I'm pleased to report

The first half of the walk was typical.  That is, pouring down with rain, walking over rough terrain through forest.  The second half, however, was fantastic!!!

OMG!

The clouds lifted, the sun shone and the mountains showed themselves properly.  They're awesome, most around 3,000 feet - it was like being in the Alps.

Don't have to put this 'un up in the rain!

After the wet tent of yesterday, staying in a camping "pod" tonight at Pine Trees Site in Tyndrum - it has proper beds AND electricity.  Having chicken in mustard and honey sauce with lyonnaise potatoes for dinner - not bad for a camp fire meal hey?

Scotch Mist

Tuesday was a real tough walk, 18 miles from Milarrochy to Inveroran.  It was particularly tough because it was pouring with rain, the terrain was very rough and the streams were overflowing.

Looking down into Inveroran

It took me 9 hours to cover the distance I would normally to in 6.

After that all I had to do, whilst soaked to the bones, was put my tent up during a thunderstorm. Wahay! :-)

Met a couple of great guys today, Adam and Nathon who are from Stockport and we walked a couple of miles together.


I did see Rob Roy's cave, which was nice.
 

Auld Rab would need a cave to shelter from all the blimmin' rain!


So let me tell you, there is no such thing Scotch mist, it absolutely pours down!