Michael Palin says the West coast is the most beautiful place on earth. We agree.

Travel presenter and Monty Python star Michael Palin believes the west coast of Scotland is the most beautiful place in the world.

Palin, who has explored the globe for the past two decades, said the remoteness of the Scottish countryside and its “breathtaking” beauty were two of his reasons for his love of Scotland.

The 69-year-old is currently presenting a series for the BBC on Brazil.

The Herald newspaper reports Palin’s interest in Scotland goes all the way back to his days with Python, which made stars of him and several others including John Cleese and Eric Idle.

He said: “Our director was a guy called Ian MacNaughton, who came from Helensburgh.

“He was always trying to persuade us to do some filming in Scotland we finally agreed and went up to Glen Coe. I quickly fell in love with the magnificent landscape.

“We used to jump on the sleeper from London and get off at the tiny station in Bridge or Orchy.

“It’s an area I’ve returned to time and time again and its my favourite part of the world.

“In recent years I’ve travelled to places such as Iona and I have found that breathtaking as well.

“I love talking to people and getting to know them but I am not a fan of big crowds.

“I think that’s why I like the remoteness of Scotland so much. There are beautiful landscapes such as the Himalayas but they’re inaccessible.”
John

WEATHER WEST COAST
Weather Misconceptions Glencoe Oban Fort William and West Coast
January February Weather Glencoe Oban Fort William and West Coast
March April Weather Glencoe Oban Fort William and West Coast
May June Weather Glencoe Oban Fort William and West Coast
Jul August Weather Glencoe Oban Fort William and West Coast
September October Weather Glencoe Oban Fort William and West Coast
November December Weather Glencoe Oban Fort William and West Coast
Wind in the mountains and West Coast
What to do about Rain in Scotland
PHOTOGRAPHERS GLENCOE
Glencoe is the photographers paradise
Photographic locations Glencoe
Winter Photography Glencoe

REAR WHEEL DRIVE SUCKS IN SNOW

Look at this hilarious BMW in snow.





My car has rear wheel drive. So in snow I creep off at 2mph and the rear end slides sideways. In slight snow conditions this morning I saw more than 12 abandoned cars overnight on gritted roads cleared of snow.
All newish cars.

Gillian's car is 24 years old. Micra. Been out in the rain, fog, cold, snow untouched for three months. My CostafortuneGT had been abandoned, but Gillians car purred into life at the touch of the button.

TIP
If you have a RWD car, then stick 2 or 3 heavy sandbags in the boot. It get more traction then. Or a fat person will do.

John

WEATHER WEST COAST
Weather Misconceptions Glencoe Oban Fort William and West Coast
January February Weather Glencoe Oban Fort William and West Coast
March April Weather Glencoe Oban Fort William and West Coast
May June Weather Glencoe Oban Fort William and West Coast
Jul August Weather Glencoe Oban Fort William and West Coast
September October Weather Glencoe Oban Fort William and West Coast
November December Weather Glencoe Oban Fort William and West Coast
Wind in the mountains and West Coast
What to do about Rain in Scotland
PHOTOGRAPHERS GLENCOE
Glencoe is the photographers paradise
Photographic locations Glencoe
Winter Photography Glencoe

VIDEO OF THE GLENCOE AVALANCHE TRAGEDY

Dreadful. They were normal, happy people, it was a a fine afternoon and they were undoubtedly looking forward to a drink in the Clachaig in a couple of hours's time. Not much wind. But the wind direction was from the South. This is where the danger lies. This wind had probably blown snow up the windward side and deposited it on the lee side on top of older snow, where the climbers were. A nasty slab of snow like this slides easily, and does not take much to dislodge it. 

Contrary to popular opinion, the official avalanche warning was not of the greatest danger, it was one below below. They were on a fairly easy Winter route, they were expert people, properly equipped. There were probably a dozen other parties out on the hills in the area that day. There will be more out next weekend. As there should be. It is called the human spirit.

Glencoe is not a dangerous place. All winter sports are liable to these objective dangers. They had bad luck. Not for nothing are we reminded that this can still be called the "Glen of Weeping"

You have to hand it to the Rescue Teams there. Nothing short of heroic what they do. For no reward at all. Sometimes they go home and cry, too.