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Scotland 28.10.02 to 31.10.02

James and Ian spent four days in Scotland for a bit of late-season hillwalking.

Monday 28.10.02 - A walk in the Arrochar Alps

The weather forecast was for showers with sunny intervals, and the plan was to climb Beinn Ime in the Arrochar Alps. We left the car in a layby below the pass of Rest and be Thankful, and headed up the hill after waiting for the first shower to pass. Unfortunately the showers got longer, the sunny intervals disappeared, and the wind strengthened. After a hearty lunch of Spam and Irn Bru in the shelter of a rock, we concluded that things weren't going to improve and the craggy nature of the summit made descent the only sensible decision.

Loch Fyne was nearby, so as a consolation we took a glass of wine and a plate of oysters at the oyster farm.

Lunch shelter at our highest point, below the summit of Ben Ime..	Consolation for an early return: Loch Fyne oysters.

Tuesday 29.10.02 - Glencoe: The Hidden Valley of the MacDonalds.

The weather forecast for Scotland south of Glencoe was bad, so we headed north. So it was noon before we set off in Glencoe for the Hidden Valley, taking the route for Bidean nam Bian but knowing we would not get there because of the late start. The Hidden Valley (where the surviving MacDonalds retreated after the Glencoe massacre) is filled with atmosphere and well worth a visit. A fine path continues up the west flank of the valley; we then climbed steeply in snow until we ran out of time and returned by the same route.

Entrance to the Hidden Valley.	We turned round just below the ridge.	Looking up the Hidden Valley, from Glencoe.

Wednesday 30.10.02 - Ben Nevis (1344m)

Ian and James had decided that if the conditions were right they would climb Ben Nevis, which James had never done. The previous night a group of walkers staying at the Youth Hostel, impressed by our skill with the Christmas Pudding, had struck up conversation leading to a few pints at the Clachaig Inn, a starlit walk home, and a common resolve to climb the Ben if at all possible.

The day dawned fine and saw us setting off from the car park in Glen Nevis by nine. The snow line was at about 650m, and by the summit we were in deep snow, with light mist and a gentle but bitterly cold wind. We lunched, talked and took photographs before strolling down and back to the Hostel for showers. All in all, a sociable and enjoyable day.

Crossing the snow line at about 650m, Yvonne in the lead.	Fog in Loch Linnhe, Patricia & Catherine striding up the Ben.

James approaching the summit of Ben Nevis.	James, the highest man in Britain.

James phones a friend.	Summit group.	Ian & James.

.	Catherine's composition; a study in light and shade.	.

Thursday 31.10.02 - Euchan Head, in the Southern Uplands.

Euchan Water rises high in the Southern Uplands of Dumfries and Galloway, and joins the River Nith at Sanquhar. Our walk started at the end of the 5 mile dead-end single-track road which follows Euchan Water into the hills. A gated forestry road continued up the valley through recent afforestation, and past the remains of two derelict dwellings. The higher of the two is Euchan Head, a small but substantially-built two-room stone cottage. Between 1840 and 1850, it was the home of William McQuat, a shepherd, with his wife Janet and children Edward, William, Peter and James.

View down Euchan Water, over Euchan Bank cottage.	The ruins of the shepherd's cottage at Euchan Head.

Updated 21-05-06