well I'm back from the hebrides, Skye to be exact. staying in the superbly appointed sligachan bunkhouse in easy stagger of the pub. Long journey there friday night/saturday morning but not too wet at first. Clive and paul shared the driving - bit cramped in the back and didn't get much sleep. Loch Lomond in the early morning light was beautiful - only slightly spoiled by the ravers hidden in the trees. On past the closed green welly shop to breakfast in Fort william Morrsions (first of several fry ups for the week - this is not a place to eat particularly healthy). Finally made Sligachan by 11 and had the tents up (first night camping) by 12.30. Headed for Portree to stock up on essentials in the local co-op and eat fish and chips by the harbour. Tiredness rather prevented any further action until the early evening when we headed for the pub.
Sunday was very wet so dossed about before going for a tramp down the loch - wonderful colours in the heather and seaweed but tricky crossing over the water in places. Moved into the bunkhouse at 3 - very nice place - full of scots from Fife drinking heavily to celebrate victories in the rugby and drown their sorrows at not managing to 'bag' the in-pin. We ate well and hit the pub to plot the following day's adventures.
Monday still looked dodgy so we opted to climb Bruch na Frithe, the easiest of the Munroes on Skye. We made good time although it was failry boggy and we avoided rain all day. Wonderful views from Fhinne Corre and just under the summit - but a bit cloudy (and very cold!) at the top. Journey back seemed to take for ever and I must have pulled or strained my right leg near the knee because by the time we reached the bottom boggy path I was in agony! The pub loomed and we stayed there to eat.
Tuesday - awoke with bad leg and bad head! Arghhhh! All too tired to do much today, and weather not very inviting for climbing so we headed for Portree. After shopping and lunch in the cafe/bakery we took a boat out around the bay with a lively skipper. He found us two sea eagles who dived for his proffered fish in spectacular fashion. I felt very privileged to see Britain's largest birds of prey so close - magnificent! We numbered about in Portree for a few more hours, bought a cd in the music shop and a paper before heading home for dinner in the bunkhouse, pub, Boosh then bed.
Wednesday broke dull but promising and we decided to head for Raasay and Dun Caan (the fort like hill that dominates the landscape). Its only about 1,500 feet but looks great. This was midge attack day - it was warm and very still - and paul managed to let them colonise the car before opting (last minute) to go off and climb Glamaig on his own. Odd fellow. We three set off for the ferry, which was wonderful - gliding across a mill pond from Sconser to Inverarry. We set off at 12 up an old miners' path towards Dun Caan. It was easy going at first but then it got wetter, got steeper (up and down) around an old dissused railway and my leg began to complain. I sprayed deep heat in a vain attempt to keep the pain at bay - it worked on the midges better! We reached Dun Caan and a pretty little lochan at about 3 but I decided that trying to scale it was more likely to finally kill off my legs makingt he journey home both tricky and extra long. Given that it had taken 3 hours to get there and we had just 3 and a quarter to return before climbing the hill I opted to rest by the locan and watch them go up. It was a wise move - as they came down so did the rain - in one big BLAT! We hurried back a better route - through the woods and picking up the road along the headland. Raasay is lovely and I hope to go back again next year. We ended up with plenty of time to catch the ferry, meet Paul at the pub and return for dinner. This time we stayed put for the evening and waited to see what Thursday had to offer,
As it turned out Thursday was extremely windy and none of us (except perhaps Paul) fancied trying to camp in a gale with little chance of climbing before the weekend. So we upped sticks and started south at midday getting back to northampton at about 11 after a fairly dull and uneventful journey. Overall I enjoyed the break, good to spend time with friends I don't see enough of and a reminder of how beautiful Scotland is. I was disappointed not to get on top of more mountains and annoyed that my leg gave out. Next year I'd like to combine a trip to Skye with a trip to the outer hebrides and to take my bike. Meanwhile its back to work and to writing the book...