Friday, our last whole day in Scotland

Really sad that our trip is coming to the end. Tomorrow we drive south to the Lakes to see Martin's sister then Liverpool to see his mum, home by Thursday.

After yesterday's sunny weather today was showery and the clouds were covering the peaks so we stayed low. We drove up to Kinlochleven and spent a few minutes at the exhibition about the local aluminium industry and dam building. Then off out into the rain to walk up to a waterfall and along the West Highland Way.

Clever idea- gate is angled so there is no possibility of it being left open.

We popped in to see the indoor climbing centre which includes an ice wall.

It's Saturday morning and I'm writing this whilst Martin is shouting at the TV - England in the rugby world cup final. We have had an amazing trip, the weather has been kind, the scenery outstanding,  all of the accommodation great, we've walked miles and met some interesting people. Roll on May 2020 for our next stop, Scandinavia.....

Thursday - the Pap of Glencoe

The Pap of Glencoe is 720m high with a straightforward path up according to the guides. However there was a bit of scrambling near the summit and the going was hard in places. But, as usual, the views were spectacular. We didn't spend long at the top due to the cold wind.

The Pap on the left of the photo

View of Ben Nevis

Few freezing seconds for a pic whilst getting more layers on after the climb

Lunch on the way down

Wednesday high and low

We split up today as Martin was keen to do a really hard hike up a mountain and along a ridge and I know my limits.

He went up the left hand peak in this photo, into the snow, along to the second peak then down through the valley;

His photos;

View of the hamlet where our Airbnb is

After dropping Martin at the start of his climb I stayed low and visited a slate quarry and craft shops, had a peek in a Celtic harp workshop, tried to visit a distillery but it was closed, ate lunch by a loch then collected a tired Martin at the end of his big hike.

Tuesday to North Ballachulish

Another long drive today south west to North Ballachulish which is in the Glencoe area. Just after Inverness we stopped off to look at campervans - still not convinced.

Half way down Loch Ness we went for a walk in Drumnadrochit.  There were 2 giant redwoods in the woods.

We were following our path on our app which showed us going through woodland. But the area looked pretty decimated by all the felling.

We were on our own at a waterfall so had our lunch there.

Beautiful colours in the hills

We carried on with our journey down Loch Ness and past Urquhart Castle.

The last 4 nights in Scotland we are in a small studio apartment. One room has the kitchen and bed with a shower room off it. Then there is a small sitting room with room for a 2 seater sofa looking out on this superb view.

It is owned by Neil whose father lives in Church Crookham and who coincidentally I had taken to a medical appointment a few weeks before booking the studio.