The view looking south towards the Mountains of Assynt, rom the headland of Cleit Mhor at Scourie. A rugged coastline towards the very north west of Scotland
26th October
(C) David Oakes 2020
Winter had still to arrive in this part of North West Scotland so we were still enjoying some rather grand weather in the mountains in mid October. The heather had long gone, bracken browning and the surrounds still rather lush.
Tourist had all but vanished so we enjoyed a peaceful tour allowing us to pause at will in locations like this.
Expansive views along Loch Maree with the mighty Slioch, touched by cloud, on the edge of the Torridon Range and the Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve.
Found memories of some magical Scottish October days…
22nd October
(C) David Oakes 2020
29th September 2017…only three years ago yet it seems a lifetime ago. Even as we were enjoying a fabulous September, on an extended holiday in Scotland, with exceptionally good early autumnal weather that felt more like summer, we were planning “where next”.
Whilst it was true that we did get some rain on that trip, the truth is there where far more days of sunshine, blue skies, and drifting clouds. Yep, September 2017 was rather special in Scotland.
One of our destinations is high on the East Coast of Scotland. Overlooking the Moray Firth is Chanonry Point. It is a delightful spot close to Fortrose and Rosemarkie. Chanonry Point, in the shadow of the lighthouse, has become a Dolphin Watching Hot Spot, but at this time of the year they were making their home elsewhere.
Despite no Dolphins, 5 days here was a relaxing ‘wind down’ after 3 busy weeks in the Highlands, from one coast to the other. After all we still had another week in the Cairngorms to look forward to. Life seemed so free and easy then.
3 years on, planning for the life ahead, let alone holidays seems rather problematic, if not impossible. I guess all we can do is live for each day and hope that one day life can and will get back to some sort of normal….. though I suspect a very different normal than we have been enjoying.
At least we have some great memories.
So, it is even more important than ever to…..
29th September
(C) David Oakes 2020
Moody Monday, seems to be, a description that fits many a Monday. Nor is it always moody because of the weather….just the starting point of another week, which even if you are not working seems to have a routine mapped out for you. But sometimes it is weather related.
I do believe it was a Monday, a very wet Monday when we walked up Glen Lui, in the Mar Forest, near Braemar, Scotland. But even on a day of relentless rain there was a bright shaft of light as the sun tried but eventually failed to break through. tried
28th September
(C) David Oakes 2020
From sea level on Upper Loch Torridon, and its village of the same name, to the 4000ft summits of the Torridon Range and the slopes of Liathach.
It is wild and magical location. Often a wonderful place to see Golden Eagles soaring above the peaks. Sadly, not showing on the day we last visited. Also, a memorable place for me. It was my first introduction, at 17, to climbing in “real” Mountains…rather overwhelming. Thankfully, I had two experienced friends to provide support and advice. 4 days later the three of us were on the Cuillin Ridge on Skye, another extremely dramatic first.
24th September
(C) David Oakes 2020
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