Scotland, June 2011
Tuesday 21 June
More bad weather. In the morning, Allan and I drove to Laggan for some shopping, then to Kingussie to check out a restaurant for dinner on Thursday. Spent the rest of the morning reading. In the afternoon, ventured out as far as the Falls of Pattack, a little way up the track past the farmhouse.
The Falls of Pattack.
Wednesday 22 June
Weather still not good enough for a major outing. We walked several miles up the track beside the Pattack, as far as Loch Pattack.
The Linn of Pattack. In the 1980s we used to swim in the Linn, but the path down to it is now completely overgrown. In any case, after heavy overnight rain there was too much water on the river to make swimming feasible, even if we had wanted to.
The view across Loch Pattack to Ben Alder covered in cloud.
Barbara, Ian, Bob, Allan by one of the bridges over the Pattack.
The Falls of Pattack, looking much more impressive than the previous day, after the rain.
Thursday 23 June
A memorable day in the Grey Corries, climbing Stob Choire Claurigh and Stob Ban. It was raining, with low cloud over the hills, as we drove down Glen Spean to the starting point at Corriechoille. But the forecast was good, so we trusted that the weather would improve. Sure enough, the rain eased off as we started walking, and the clouds gradually lifted so that by the time we reached the summit three hours later we had a fine view in all directions.
On the lower slopes of Stob Choire Claurigh.
Further up, looking down on the circular lochan in Coire na Ceannain.
From the same spot, the view westwards towards Ben Nevis, with Barbara, Eric and Bob.
The cloud was lifting from the summit as we neared the final part of the climb.
Lunch on the summit, with the cloud now clear of everything except Ben Nevis.
From Stob Choire Claurigh, looking down on the much lower peak of Stob Ban, with the Blackwater reservoir beyond.
From the col, Stob Ban looked a lot more substantial, and in fact it was a stiff climb.
At the end of the long walk out, the sun was shining on the cedar wood carving of the Wee Minister, said to bring good fortune to all who pass his way into the hills. It worked for us.
Friday 24 June
Too tired to do much, after the previous day's exertions. In the morning, Linda and I walked round the nature trails at the Creag Meagaidh Nature Reserve. In the afternoon I walked from the farmhouse to the beach at Kinloch Laggan.
Loch Laggan from the nature trail, with a ruined sheepfold in the foreground.
The beach at Kinloch Laggan.
Impressive trees on the Ardverikie estate.
Saturday 25 June
The long drive home, stopping for a picnic lunch at Gore Glen Country Park just south of Edinburgh.
Wild rose at Gore Glen.
In Jedburgh, the local British Legion pipe and drum band were having a parade.
Back home, Mary's delphiniums are looking better than ever this year.
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