Loch Shiel
2018 is almost over and it's a good time to reflect on one of the most memorable events of the year, when a large group of us walked 108 miles from Milngavie to Fort William along the West Highland Way. The guidebooks all say it's only 96 miles, but my Garmin disagrees!
Scotland is as famous for its fickle weather as it is for its truly stunning scenery, and somewhat bizarrely we had trekked for an entire week in Mediterranean conditions along a bone dry trail that tested even the hardiest of feet in the toughest boots. It was a fabulous adventure that will live forever in the memory.
Before heading home we had a rest day in the Costa del Fort William. Some of our party chose to climb Ben Nevis, but I'd done that before and was keen to see the Jacobite Express train of Harry Potter fame roll across the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct. That was another story of an inability to read train timetables (and another photo in this album). Later we found ourselves at the visitor centre, admiring the Glenfinnan Monument that marks the spot where Bonnie Price Charlie, the Young Pretender came ashore to lead the third and conclusive Jacobite rebellion in 1745.
What caught my eye was the natural V and the layers of texture as the mountainsides receded into the distance. As we stood admiring the view along the gorgeously serene Loch Shiel and battling the midges, the skies finally broke after days of blistering sunshine and gave way to a summer monsoon that rapidly flooded the visitor centre car park. Someone standing near me simply said "Ah, here's the real Scotland again."
Happy Christmas everybody, and may your photos be magical in 2019.
Loch Shiel
2018 is almost over and it's a good time to reflect on one of the most memorable events of the year, when a large group of us walked 108 miles from Milngavie to Fort William along the West Highland Way. The guidebooks all say it's only 96 miles, but my Garmin disagrees!
Scotland is as famous for its fickle weather as it is for its truly stunning scenery, and somewhat bizarrely we had trekked for an entire week in Mediterranean conditions along a bone dry trail that tested even the hardiest of feet in the toughest boots. It was a fabulous adventure that will live forever in the memory.
Before heading home we had a rest day in the Costa del Fort William. Some of our party chose to climb Ben Nevis, but I'd done that before and was keen to see the Jacobite Express train of Harry Potter fame roll across the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct. That was another story of an inability to read train timetables (and another photo in this album). Later we found ourselves at the visitor centre, admiring the Glenfinnan Monument that marks the spot where Bonnie Price Charlie, the Young Pretender came ashore to lead the third and conclusive Jacobite rebellion in 1745.
What caught my eye was the natural V and the layers of texture as the mountainsides receded into the distance. As we stood admiring the view along the gorgeously serene Loch Shiel and battling the midges, the skies finally broke after days of blistering sunshine and gave way to a summer monsoon that rapidly flooded the visitor centre car park. Someone standing near me simply said "Ah, here's the real Scotland again."
Happy Christmas everybody, and may your photos be magical in 2019.