to the highlands

day 20 Sunday 6 June
We go to the highlands.

We headed off in mist and drizzle inland from Oban. At Glencoe it was cold and we stopped in a ski carpark and had a walk up a steep bubbling stream. It was very impressive with towering mountains, lots of walkers, many waterfalls, mist and scuds of rain - very Scottish!

Glencoe http://www.glencoe-scotland.net/
This is one of Scotland's best known Highland glens and its name, literally meaning "Valley of Weeping", seems very appropriate considering it was the site of a notorious massacre in 1692. The spectacular valley is often wreathed in clouds making it look even more dramatic.

Then to Fort William and up lochs and glens

We had lunch at Loch Lochy.

There was a great view of forestry at Glen Garry then down the long descent to Shiel Bridge and Ratagan at the head of Loch Duich.

The Shiel Glen was also impressive with imposing bare mountains.

There is a lot of forestry in the highlands which seems like a good idea. Britain was once covered with forest but it has been pretty bare since the tenth century or earlier?

Ratagan Youth Hostel near Shiel Bridge

We relaxed at the hostel at Ratagan and just had a long walk along further from the hostel that evening, on the west side of the loch.

The Five Sisters of Kintail and Shiel Bridge from Ratagan at low tide.