Some thoughts and reports from outings...
Blogs from some outdoor adventures.....
An Unexpected Journey Thursday morning 05.45 – the alarm doesn’t wake me as I am already wakened by the rain pounding the bedroom window. I have a long day ahead of me traveling to Aberdeen, Elgin and Inverness for work, always a long day in the car. 07.00- I arrive at Dundee to pick up a German work colleague. The surface water has made the short trip to Dundee akin to driving with my eyes half closed – spray and heavy rain make the road treacherous. I’m dreading the hours ahead already! Aberdeen comes and goes and there is no relent, the radio forecaster tell us that the band of rain is moving north. A likely story, I think it’s moving at the same speed as my car! We reach Elgin and its lunch time. Soaked again as we run to the shop to grab a sandwich! Next stop inverness then the drive back through the Highlands to home! My colleague was looking forward to today – not for the work, but for the views of the magnificent Scottish scenery – how disappointed he must have been by the time we reached a – yes you’ve got it – a drenched Inverness! The cloud hangs low around the Kessock Bridge – we can only just make it out as we approach Inverness from the A96. The radio then tells us of lengthy delays on the A9 but then goes on to say that in the west – the weather should clear to blue skies!! A snap decision is made – let’s avoid the A9 and head home using a wee detour – via Glencoe!!! I need no excuse, a visit to one of my favourite haunts and a chance to show my new friend some rugged Scottish Landscapes. Of course mid-afternoon as we leave Inverness it’s still battering it down with rain and there are no guarantees that the good weather (and thus views) will materialise!! However, as we pass Loch Ness and reach Fort Augustus – we notice things getting a tad brighter – soon the rain stops – “ WOW- look at this “ “this is breath taking” “ what amazing scenery”. Just some of the comments now coming from the passenger seat! I know he aint seen nothing yet ! lol Passing Loch Lochy, we make our first non-work related stop! The reflections on the flat loch, as the mists start to lift from the Munros across the water are stunning! So far the car tells me we have done nearly 275 miles and about 7 hours of driving. I don’t care – the mountains are appearing and I feel just about as excited as my German friend who is witnessing these for the first time. I know better lies in wait for him!! Passing through Fort Bill and the skies are now a glorious blue, crystal clear clarity. The rain was miserable but it has cleared the air punctuating the blue and green landscape. This is going to be a grand trip through Glencoe! Across the Ballachulish bridge and Glencoe is now in sight, drawing us in with its magnificent skyline. A few stops and the usual touristy piccies, and I remember I have some walking gear in the car from last weekend! “How do you fancy a wee hike to one of the finest viewpoints in Scotland” I ask… An excited “YES” is the reply and I pull up at the familiar Altnafeadh. Some light hiking boots and adorned and we head up to the small peak of Stob Beinn a’ Chrulaiste with about an hour to sunset. We make good progress and sit for 30 minutes on the subsidiary peak – soaking in the views and atmosphere. His first trip to the Scottish Highlands and my friend is really enjoying it. Can’t recall how many times I have stood here but it always takes my breath away- what a place. The sun is lowering and the wet steep terrain isn’t for first timers in the dark so we gingerly descend, reaching the car with the sun setting over the western end of Glencoe. The light on the descent was amazing and I could help but snap happily away- it was starting to feel Autumnal! Soon we were passing Rannoch Moor and the familiar landmarks that scatter the road en route home. Dusk at Tyndrum but the Green Welly shop was still open. Some food needed and a chocolate bar and crisps purchased as the light fades. I have to drive past my house to drop my colleague off in Dundee, but I don’t mind. He spots a few bright shooting stars and I wonder if a meteor shower is passing overhead. 9.15pm and I arrive at the Dundee hotel to drop of my colleague. I hope he will remember this day (well the last 7 hours of it) for a long time. All that is left is a 20 mile journey home and I arrive, shattered (but satisfied) after a longggg dayyyy. My car tells me I have driven 431 miles and been at the seat for 10 hrs 15 minutes !! However the 90 minutes in the Coe made it all worthwhile – an unexpected journey indeed!
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
WilkieMurraySome thoughts and reports from my outdoors activties... Archives
August 2017
Categories |