Wednesday, May 18, 2011

The Highlands are what you make of them. They can be BRILLIANT- it is up to you

We received this lovely email from David and Kim who stayed last week. Thank you, you two. It is comments like this that make it so worthwhile letting the cottage. The Ardnamurchan scene shot by David has hardly altered since the volcano erupted there 55 million years ago. I think his photograph of Kim is lovely. Scotland is what you make it - if you are looking for South of France weather then you will not enjoy it. 

We never had a day without rain, but we were never 'washed out' for the day - all that was needed was the right clothing!  We had four walks, Ben Hiant on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula, Pap of Glen Coe, Steall Falls and Meall Cumhann, and the Lost Valley in Glen Coe. Saw herds of red deer from Ben Hiant, wonderful rainbows from the Pap, golden eagle from Meall Cumhann and with the rain all the rivers were full so the waterfalls were impressive. Never got any high level walks done, limited visibility in low cloud was one issue, but gale force winds on the summits was the main concern. We'd hoped to get some climbing done, but the rocks were not dry enough to make it enjoyable. We did spend a rainy morning at the indoor climbing wall in Kinlochleven; some good routes in the 15m main hall. Also had a great afternoon there ice climbing; highly recommended (we are also now deemed competent for our next visit to just book a session and look after ourselves!).  Did the tourist bit around the cafes and shops of Fort William, and completed a circuit of Loch Ness via Inverness for lunch and the Culloden battlefield site (again, recommended; very good visitor centre). Very much looking forward to returning later in the year.

Photos from David
Enjoying the deserted beaches on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula.
Taking in the view from Meall Cumhann above the Nevis Gorge.

This is a link I need to put in to help another website I'm involved with. Sorry.
Jazz Smugglers plays at the Chichester Festivities June 25th

HISTORY PAGES.
The story they don't tell you about the Glencoe Massacre
History around the cottage in Appin
Did the Vikings stage a battle in Glencoe?
The Pictish broch in Lismore
West of Scotland millions of years ago
Robert the Bruce and the Ardchattan parliament
Robert the Bruce and the Knights Templar
The story of the MacDonalds of Glencoe
Ancient roads of the Highlands
Glencoe, the 4th Wonder of Scotland
Castles in the Glencoe area
GLENCOE OUTDOORS
The best walks in Glencoe
Ben Nevis, go climb it
Munros are over 3,000 feet
Some Munros are easy
Glencoe rock climbing
Skiing in Glencoe is excellent again
New cycle tracks around Glencoe
There are lovely beaches and bays around Glencoe
Accommodation Fort William
Golf on the West coast
Tour the Highlands
You can cruise the West coast
Driving around glencoe on snow and ice - Tips
BLOGS
Travellers Tales from the highlands of Scotland
Find your ideal holiday cottage anywhere
The most beautiful photographs of Glencoe
The achingly beautiful area of Appin, Scotland
Special offers for self catering in Scotland
COTTAGE ATTRACTIONS
Lochside cottage near Glencoe in the Highlands of Scotland
Last minute, late availability Glencoe, self catering cottage
20 brilliant walks around our cottage area
Easy hill walks in Glencoe
Why not walk up Ben Nevis one day?
Easier Munroe walks in Glencoe
Skiing Glencoe and Nevis range, cottage is midway between the two
Video. Skiing on Glencoe mountain
Weather in the West of Scotland
Rock and Ice climbing in Glencoe
Cycling and fishing Glencoe
Spectacular wild life around our cottage
Golf in the Highlands, Dragons tooth golf course, Glencoe
Cruising the islands, using Glencoe as a base
Safe, beautiful beaches and bays in Glencoe area
Touring the Highlands by car from Glencoe,
Spring breaks, March April May Glencoe
Winter breaks, Jan Feb March in the cottage
Autumn breaks November December in the cottage
Our new Appin blog site
FOR LASTMINUTE BOOKINGS
Short breaks in Scotland, Last minute cottage holidays Scotland, Autumn, Winter, Spring
Weather month by month Scotland summer
Weather month by month Scotland Autumn
Weather in Scotland Winter, month by month
Misunderstandings about Scotland's weather
Scotland's rain
Advice on driving in Scotland. Several Scotland driving pages are linked to this.
Honeymoon cottages in Scotland
Scotland for Christmas and New Year
The unofficial Scottish tourist Board
Cottages in Scotland permitting smoking
Cottages in Scotland welcoming pets
FOR WEST OF SCOTLAND SITE
Holiday accommodation, B&Bs, hotels in the West of Scotland
Holiday accommodation, B&Bs, hotels in Oban
Holiday accommodation, B&Bs, hotels in Glencoe
Holiday accommodation, B&Bs, hotels in Fort William
Holiday accommodation, B&Bs, hotels in the far West of Scotland
Holiday accommodation, B&Bs, hotels in Appin
Port Appin and Lismore B&Bs
Barcaldine B&Bs and hotels
Duror b&bs
Kentallen b&bs
Ballachulish b&bs
Onich b&bs
How to find cottage owners self catering websites
MISC
Misunderstandings about Scottish weather
Get off those speeding fines on Scottish roads




 
Lochside cottage near Glencoe in the Highlands of Scotland
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  • Stories about Appin villages blog