Saturday 21 July 2012

Wild camping?

Nice tent!


Stob Ghabhar to Arran

Had a great day out with Brian and Kay on an east - west circuit of Stob a Choire Odhair and Stob Ghabhar. The weather was good, with just a little mist on the tops, and the sun really broke through for our descent south east to the much eroded path down the glorious Allt Toaig waterfall.

It was off to the Isle of Arran a few days later for 2 weeks holiday (and just a little work!). Kay sailed across the Firth of Clyde one day to join me on a blustery traverse of Caisteal Abhail from North Glen Sannox across to Cir Mhor and down into Glen Rosa in the late afternoon sun.

Sunny days have been scarce so far this July but the group I took for a fine high level walk in the hills above the beautiful Coire Fhion Lochan was lucky to enjoy warm sunshine and outstanding views, both of the Arran hills and over to the Mull of Kintyre and Jura beyond.

The highlight for me came a couple of days later while enjoying some solitude on the rough moorland hills in the south of the island. I had just reached the trig point on the summit of Tighvein when a magnificent Golden Eagle rose into the air from the ground behind the cairn 2 metres away. What a sight! Did I have my camera to hand? Sadly not, but I watched it soar into the air and head south for quite some time.




Saturday 14 July 2012

A couple of Rum photos

Sadly no sightings of either otters or sea eagles this time.





West Highland Way

Huge congratulations to Karen and Richard who completed their first WHW at the weekend. Hope you enjoyed it, despite the weather!

Green beret

Finally got pictures of my boy to post. On 7th June Andrew passed the series of really tough Commando tests required to earn the green beret of the Royal Marine Commandos.
Mum is so proud!
Still 5 months officer training to go.....




Wednesday 11 July 2012

Island hopping

Mostly been working on some of Scotland's beautiful islands over the last month or so.
The Shetland Isles trip was a joy, and the weather fantastic. Fair Isle, Papa Stour, Muckle Roe, Hermaness all provide a feast of fantastc scenery - amazing natural architecture teeming with bird life. The group got up close and personal with puffins, great skuas, guillemots and arctic terms. We watched gannets diving, heard storm petrels purring in the walls of Mousa broch, and sat enchanted at the sea edge as seals played in the clear waters.



Island hopping, part 2

Then followed a trip to the Small Isles, once again in glorious weather! First to Eigg where the group stayed at the wonderful Glebe Barn. We seemed to cover most of this small island on the first day, from the landmark Sgurr of Eigg to the cliffs in the north and the white sands looking over to Rum. We took a boat for a brief visit to Muck and were entertained by dolphins, minke whales and the sight of the Manx Sheerwaters rafting on the still waters.
Rum is very special and our good weather continued, allowing us some wonderfu,l days exploring the Rum Cuillin, Bloodstone Hill in the north, and the area around Kilmory, famous for its red deer project.
These Small Isles are truly beguiling.