2 Photographs from our Xmas guest. It truly is a beautiful place, Glencoe.

Just sent to us from the cottage by our guest, Ben. He is staying for Christmas with his brother.
They are lovely aren't they? Even without any sun it is gorgeous. Look at the colours.

John

Lochside cottage near Glencoe in the Highlands of Scotland Last minute, late availability Glencoe, self catering cottage Our cottage details and photos More details about the cottage 20 brilliant walks around the cottage area

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. 

SO TERRIBLY SAD. FOUR PEOPLE DIE IN GLENCOE AVALANCHE

From the Daily Mail. This is Bidean. The avalanche was in a valley - as ever - and they were on their way down - as ever

Webcam showing the area now

This is a webcam from the Kingshouse Hotel, which lies in a moorland area, about 5 miles from where the accident took place. You can see very little snow, even high up on the mountains looking South. The accident took place in the Glen itself. They must have been swept away, their feet going from under them sliding down the hill.  

It is so sad this. So awful for their families, and friends. Awful for the survivors, too.

The Scottish avalanche warning system had warned of wind-swept snow lying on top of soft snow in  the Glencoe area together with warnings for the other districts of Lochaber, and in the Grampians. This can easily be dislodged by human movement. At this time of year it is not unusual to have this warning. It does not need deep snow, just unstable snow. To-day six winter climbers dislodged it. Four people have died, a woman is badly injured and one escaped. Apparently other walkers raised the alarm

They do not have to be idiots, they do not have to have bad equipment, they do not have to be inexperienced. They can be totally expert in every sense. But they had bad luck. Like probably 40 others people in the area  they were just out on the most wonderful mountain on a fine day, enjoying the spectacular scenery. They were walking home, towards the area where the infamous "Glencoe massacre" took place 330 years ago, in February.

The usual advice is to move one at a time in an avalanche prone area. You can often "feel" it to be unsafe, just an instinct. Climbers learn to rely on it. 90% of avalanches are caused by the movement of people.

This one was in a dangerous area. The wind direction was from the South, that leaves drifting snow on the lee side of the mountain which is where they were. It would look safe, but snow lies in layers of different ages. When one of these starts to slide, you get catastrophe.

Yes, I know it puts a big strain on the rescue services. They are truly good people, and truly expert. One of their big problems is to avoid starting another avalanche themselves.

The accident happened in the area of the highest mountain in Glencoe, Bidean. It took place at a place called  Church Door Buttress at about 2pm. The Central gully, next door to it, is known as an easy winter climb. This is probably where they were. The area has had beautiful weather and not even a lot of snow.

There has been a run of avalanche accidents in the past five years in this area.. 3 climbers were killed in January 2009 at the notorious Buchaille Etive Mhor.The following year near the same spot  two climbers were killed and one escaped from an avalanche.

The avalanche forecast for Glencoe was
"Poorly bonded windslab will persist, mainly on West through North to East aspects above 800 metres. These deposits will mainly be hard windslab, often overlying a weak softer layer. Soft windslab will also be present in places. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable."

The website for avalanche prediction is
http://www.sais.gov.uk/

So terribly terribly sad. Winter climbing carries these objective dangers with it. Don't stop them. Don't stop Formula 1 drivers either, nor soldiers in Afghanistan, nor horse riding come to that. They are all dangerous. Including cycling in London.

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

CYCLE FROM OBAN TO INVERNESS. THINK £3MILLION

This is the path by our cottage which will carry the cycle track.

You'll soon be able to set out from Oban on your bike and get to your office in Inverness by a cycle track all the way. This goes past the back of our cottage and up the sides of all the lochs on the way. It will be a glorious bike ride, the best in the world. It will take you three days to get there. Have a coffee with your office pals, one quick meeting, turn round and come back again in time for the weekend. To get you to the office and back will cost the rest of us £3 million.

Transport Minister, Keith Brown, has announced funding of almost £4 million towards the development of the National Cycle Network. Three quarters of this will be spent on the dedicated cycle track between Oban and Inverness.

‘The Great Glen cycle path will be an iconic route which will boost the local economy through additional tourism. Indeed it will – and bang on message in adding to Scotland’s USP of activity tourism in breathtakingly beautiful surroundings.

Michael Russell, SNP MSP for Argyll and Bute says: ‘I welcome this commitment to route 78, and particularly the cycle route to be created between Oban and Appin, to link a remote community off the main Oban to Fort William section of the larger route.

John
ps. Will it be worth it? Yes, in the long run, of course it will. In 50 years' time it will seem like small beer.

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

Never mind Fracking. We have earthquakes in our village

I should have posted this story a long time ago.Scotland gets a lot of minor earthquakes.I remember last year they had one at Glenfinnan, a much bigger one.

Two little earthquakes hit the area. Residents said they felt it at Duror. Just the same strength as the Fracking quakes at Blackpool

The first quake struck at 6.06am and measured magnitude 1.4. It was followed 12 minutes later with a 0.8 tremor. Both were recorded by the British Geological Society.

Last August, residents reported a magnitude 1.9 quake in the Argyll village which they said “felt like thunder”.

There are roughly 200-300 quakes in Britain every year, but the vast majority are so small that no one notices them.

JOHN

LINKS The magnificent community website for Glencoe Scottish castles in the West Highlands New page in our site about driving on snow and ice Masses of information about the area in our Site map This is about Fort William Appin is beautiful Bed and breakfast and hotels from Oban to Fort William Walks around our cottage Autumn short breaks in Glencoe Ben Nevis walking is a slog, but worth it Cottage holidays Scotland in the Autumn, Winter, Spring The highlands of Scotland Find holiday cottages anywhere Gorgeous photographs of Glencoe Hill walks in Glencoe Munroes in Glencoe Port Appin Barcaldine Accommodation in Lochaber Kentallen Ballachulish Onich How to find cottage owners self catering websites

Half a million people are descended from Somerled, the founder of the MacDonald clan.

This pic is in this site.  The story is mostly from: Viking histories

The great Scottish hero, Somerled, founded two clans, the MacDougalls who were based around Oban, and the MacDonalds, the seafarers who controlled all the Western isles in days gone by. These were called the Lords of the Isles.

"DNA proves Celtic hero Somerled had Viking roots"

A leading DNA expert has shown that the Celtic hero Somerled who was credited with driving the Vikings out of western Scotland was himself descended from a Norseman. (I've always been taught that his mother was a Viking, so that would technically make him a Viking slave. furthermore the Vikings were not driven out, they were absorbed as settlers)

It had always been believed that Somerled was descended from an ancient royal line going back to when the Scots were living in Ireland.

A few years ago Bryan Sykes, an Oxford University professor of human genetics set up a company called Oxford Ancestors to research people’s DNA past, it was Professor Sykes who discovered that Somerled’s Y-chromosome – which is inherited through the male line – is of Norse origin.

Professor Sykes studied three Scottish clans and came to the conclusion that some 500,000 people alive today are descended from Somerled.

The MacDonald, MacDougall and MacAlister clans all claim descent from Somerled and Prof Sykes found that between 25 and 45 per cent of them shared the same Y-chromosome, of a kind normally found in Norway but rare in Scotland and Ireland.

By analysing the rate of mutation in DNA samples from clan members, Prof Sykes was able to show that the Y-chromosome came from a common ancestor who lived roughly 1,000 years ago.

He then tested five chiefs from the clans and discovered they all shared the same chromosome, which convinced him that the common ancestor must be Somerled, Lord of the Isles, in keeping with clan histories.

However, the analysis threw into doubt Somerled’s own origins. Prof Sykes told The Scotsman: “In the traditional genealogy, Somerled is a great Celtic hero who drives the Norse from Scotland, but his Y- chromosome is definitely Norse. The genealogies trace him back to a long line of Irish kings. But that’s not what the Y-chromosome says.

“He is certainly of Norse Viking paternal origin.”

It is open to question whether Somerled, who made driving the Vikings from western Scotland his “cause célèbre”, would have known the truth. (I don't like this idea of Somerled driving out the Vikings. Somerled, like all the clan chiefs was a chancer who took every opportunity to extend his territory. For example on the death of the great Scottish King, David 1st, Somerled took the Western seaboard. It didn't matter to him whether his opponents were Vikings or Scots)

The fact that clan chiefs still share the same basic Y-chromosome after some 87 generations shows that high-status women in the MacDonald, MacDougall and MacAllister clans were extremely faithful.

However, the large number of people alive today with the same Y-chromosome means the men in the family did not share this virtue to the same extent.

Maggie Macdonald, archivist of the Museum of the Isles on Skye, said Somerled was traditionally viewed as a Celtic hero.

But she added: “Maybe at that time it was more important who it was said you were descended from than who you were actually descended from.

“People may well have known his great-great-grandfather was a Viking.

“But it could have been that his great-great-grandmother had relations with someone who wasn’t her husband – it could be Somerled wouldn’t have known and thought he was this great Celtic hero.”

John

HISTORY PAGES. Scottish castles in the West Highlands 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

HELEN TOOK THE LIFT UP GLENCOE MOUNTAIN - IN OCTOBER

September and October are sometimes quite good months for a break. Helen Konachick emailed us. Thank you Helen. The photos look really nice. you look lovely by the waterfall but I can't upload it Helen, it comes out horizontal for some reason. Not you fault, not mine. I blame Bill Gates. Always have done. The Holly tree rainbow looks nice but it is not the same. Sorry.

"Glencoe was gorgeous. Lovely time of year to visit. Weather could have been a lot worse; bouts of rain most days, but also some sunshine, which meant a lovely rainbow. Only snow we encountered was up a mountain. It certainly could've been much wetter, so feel we were lucky.

We went walking most days. Cuil Bay was great - saw a seal popping up every few mins, and Highland Cattle. Very boggy ground to walk on. Taking the lift up Glencoe Mountain Resort was excellent. We walked about at the top to the 'summit', saw deer, and scrambled down. 

The walk around Braveheart territory was challenging in places, but also very enjoyable. We loved the view from the Holly Tree. (That is the restaurant and hotel close by the cottage. JOHN)
I've attached a few photos with people in them for your blog."


LINKS Scottish castles in the West Highlands New page in our site about driving on snow and ice Masses of information about the area in our Site map This is about Fort William Appin is beautiful Bed and breakfast and hotels from Oban to Fort William Walks around our cottage Autumn short breaks in Glencoe Ben Nevis walking is a slog, but worth it Cottage holidays Scotland in the Autumn, Winter, Spring The highlands of Scotland Find holiday cottages anywhere Gorgeous photographs of Glencoe Hill walks in Glencoe Munroes in Glencoe Port Appin Barcaldine Accommodation in Lochaber Kentallen Ballachulish Onich How to find cottage owners self catering websites

GOOD PLACE FOR A NEW WIFE SAYS KENNY

We have had many professional photographers take pictures of our cottage, but this is one of the loveliest we have ever seen. This one was taken in September by Rod MacDonald, a guest, (now a prized guest). Thank you Rod for permission. I'll be posting others. His photographic website is to be found here. You can email him from here

Kenny and Donna, just married, came to us a couple of weeks ago. What an enthusiast! Who else would write in the guest book, "Stunning scenery all around. Makes me proud to be a Scot"

He likes the Clachaig Inn up the road, and so do Gillian and I. We were in there two weeks ago.

The best bit of his story is where he tells of coming across three Twitchers who had been in position for 3 days looking for sea eagles. Within 5 minutes of Donna and Kenny arriving two flew over the ridge behind them. Like number 11  buses they are. You wait for days for one then .......

Thanks Kenny for your great comments. 

John

PS. We've just had an enquiry for the New Year - the cottage is still available at £595 for any numbers of days between Dec 28 and Jan 7th if anyone is interested.

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

THE GORY TALE OF THE ISLE OF EIGG

They have been looking this summer for an ancient monastery, Kildonan, on the Isle of Eigg. That's the Island just off the coast with the huge rock knob shape you can see at the South end with steep cliffs to the North. You can reach it by ferry from Mallaig or Arisaig. The Eigg people own the Island now, as part of a Trust. 

These old church sites, were built upon even older religious sites, and this one might go back to Mesolothic times. The archaeological teams are from Glasgow, Cranfield and Birmingham universities

St Donan was the missionary who led a big expedition to Christianise these Islands. A contemporary of St Columba, he actually led a rival group. Apparently he and his followers were murdered and buried in the Church on Apl 17th April 617. How they know this in such detail beats me. 

They had extensive signs of very ancient peoples here, anything up to 8,000 years ago. It has been a violent place in its day. The Vikings from Norway made this one of their early settlements in the 8th century. They brought the spoils from their raids on Iona and they brought slaves captured in Ireland. These poor souls were destined to be taken to Norway, sold on to Sweden, and the survivors from these journeys were taken to Constantinopol.

Isle of Eigg
The Isle of Eigg is situated in the heart of Clanranald country, this small island has a very bloody history being  involved in every MacDonald rebellion against the crown and in a good many feuds. A lengthy feud between the MacDonalds and the MacLeods in the 16th Century led to the death of 395 MacDonalds in 1577, the island’s entire population, in “Uamha Fhraing” (Cave of Frances, aka Massacre Cave) The Clanranald residents of the island took refuge in a cave on the south coast and they were suffocated by a fire lit at the entrance by a party of MacLeods in what apparently was a revenge attack. The feud was finally ended some years later by the marriage of Alan of Moidart to the daughter of MacLeod of MacLeod. Hugh Miller visited this notorious cave three centuries later, in 1844, and described in his book, “The Cruise Of The Betsy,” seeing the bones of adults and children in family groups with the charred remains of their straw mattresses and small household objects. All were finally removed for burial in hallowed ground.

That's enough blood and gore for one day.

John
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

Home now. We miss this place already

This lovely photograph shows Loch Achtriochtan, with Willie's cottage in Glencoe. Before the Massacre there was a small hamlet here. This is what it looks like at this time of year. The photo was sent to us kindly by Bill MacKenzie. Here is his Flickr site.


Just arrived home. Had a wonderful week there, saw Christine, Alan, and met Felicity on Friday in Comrie, saw Mavis on Saturday, Michelle on Sunday, David on Monday at Crafts, then to Inverness to see Mo on Wednesday, Sheila and Mike at Arisaig on Thursday, chat with Jessie on Friday, took Maggie out to the Holly Tree bar, on Friday – Jim was on the rig - home by Sunday.
Nice relaxing time really. Weather was gorgeous.
John

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.

David Cooper's champion boat for Sale

This is David Coopers champion racing boat. It has won everything. You'll find it outside Crafts and Things the coffee shop by Glencoe village. He has bought a new one, bigger of course, as you do.

I can tell you personally that this is a good price. It is fully discounted against the current market conditions in my view. He could probably get £2/3000 more somewhere else I reckon. However, that's David. - milk of human kindness.

See the details below.

John

Ps. Just in case you think you may leap to the front of the fleet as soon as you have it then I have to tell you that it is not boats which win races, it is the people wot drive them.

If you want to win races, you'd be better off trying to buy David.

Scottish castles in the West Highlands New page in our site about driving on snow and ice Masses of information about the area in our Site map This is about Fort William Appin is beautiful Bed and breakfast and hotels from Oban to Fort William Walks around our cottage Autumn short breaks in Glencoe Ben Nevis walking is a slog, but worth it Cottage holidays Scotland in the Autumn, Winter, Spring The highlands of Scotland Find holiday cottages anywhere Gorgeous photographs of Glencoe Hill walks in Glencoe Munroes in Glencoe Port Appin Barcaldine Accommodation in Lochaber Kentallen Ballachulish Onich How to find cottage owners self catering websites

An October afternoon in the Scottish Highlands

Started late, why can't we get out of bed up here? Saw these on the Cormorant Rock a short distance from the cottage. Got a better close up on the proper camera but can't get the wretched files across to the laptop.
Weather is splendid. Sorry you've got rain down South. We don't know what that is up here.

Then down to Crafts and Things. Splendid place for lunchtime latte and a bacon bun. Chat with our chum David Cooper, the owner. He does a brilliant job there. It is so well known this place throughout Scotland, stars of stage and screen stop there. The famous Hamish McInnes the Himalayan climber is there most days with his chums.

Then our favourite short run. Over the hill from Glencoe village down to Kinlochleven, 7 miles of road built by German prisoners in World War 1, then towards the light up the other side. This pics from our parking place shows Glencoe and the biggest mountain in the area Bidean nam Bian, well over 3,000 feet. I must say the mobile is a lot better at taking pics than I thought it would be. No telephoto though. Prob there.

Inverness to-morrow to see an old friend. A couple of hours up the side of the Loch, looking out for Nessie.

Not living in hope.

John

Anyone want to come to the cottage in March? We'll give you a nice deal. Got it let until then.

LINKS

Masses of information about the area in our Site map This is about Fort William Appin is beautiful Bed and breakfast and hotels from Oban to Fort William Walks around our cottage Autumn short breaks in Glencoe Ben Nevis walking is a slog, but worth it Cottage holidays Scotland in the Autumn, Winter, Spring The highlands of Scotland Find holiday cottages anywhere Gorgeous photographs of Glencoe Hill walks in Glencoe Munroes in Glencoe Port Appin Barcaldine Accommodation in Lochaber Kentallen Ballachulish Onich How to find cottage owners self catering websites

It is Glencoe really not Rannoch. Beauty and a little fun with pipes

The piper often busks at the roadside parking overlooking the Hidden Valley. The chap who made the film call it Rannoch. But he comes from the US. 

John

Scottish castles in the West Highlands New page in our site about driving on snow and ice Masses of information about the area in our Site map This is about Fort William Appin is beautiful Bed and breakfast and hotels from Oban to Fort William Walks around our cottage Autumn short breaks in Glencoe Ben Nevis walking is a slog, but worth it Cottage holidays Scotland in the Autumn, Winter, Spring The highlands of Scotland Find holiday cottages anywhere Gorgeous photographs of Glencoe Hill walks in Glencoe Munroes in Glencoe Port Appin Barcaldine Accommodation in Lochaber Kentallen Ballachulish Onich How to find cottage owners self catering websites

He was hunted as a fugitive, sheltered by the MacDonalds to become Scotland's most famous King

A longer blog post than usual. People are interested in the story of the most famous King of Scots, Robert the Bruce. His family title was Robert V111 de Bruce. He hid out on with the West coast as a fugitive guarded by his friend Angus Og, the MacDonald Chief. He had a sad family life. We think he looked like this.

In 1307 the King of Scotland, Robert the Bruce was in hiding, in the West Coast of Scotland the world's most glorious playground. He had a close band of followers, including the High Steward of Scotland and was being looked after by his friend Angus Og, chief of the MacDonalds.. A terrible fate awaited him if he was caught. He would have been taken to London to be hanged, drawn and quartered. He would have had a show trial, would have been scorned and abused by the London crowds. His sadistic rival Edward 1st of England would have him found guilty. This dreadful punishment was reserved only for the men most hated by Edward and Bruce was his leading opponent. He had already done this to David, Prince of Wales, for his so-called treason, and to the rebel Scots Knight, William Wallace, again for treason.

As they scrambled in MacDonald boats from island to island, from Rathlin to Islay, to Mull then probably to Tioram Castle on Ardnamurchan, hiding from Edward's fleet often in the open or in caves, the followers of the King formed a close bond of friendship. Bruce spoke Gaelic, which was a great asset in the Highlands. No one there spoke either English nor French.

Their triumph was to come in 1314 at the Battle of Bannockburn where the Scots army faced overwhelming odds, yet emerged victorious. One year later, Robert the Bruce's daughter, Marjorie, married his friend Walter, the High Steward of Scotland. In triumph, Bruce gave Angus Og the lands of Duror and Glencoe, he gave the Campbells the castle of Inverlochy and the Oban area, and into Appin he put the Stewarts. The Appin land lay strategically between both of the clans probably in case of trouble between them.

Little did any of them know that the marriage would be the foundation of the magnificent line of Stewart Kings and Queens for 400 years. Their son became Robert 11, and their successors included Mary Queen of Scots, the executed Charles 1st, and the final Stewart monarch, Queen Anne. Their homelands in Appin were very important to the Stewarts. James IV often visited his cousin in Stalker Castle, Appin in the 15th century for hunting and fishing.

A SAD POSTSCRIPT
Bruce's family story was extremely sad. His wife died in childbirth at 19. While he was in revolt his 2nd wife, two sisters and his daughter were turned over to the English King. His brother was executed brutally. The women were imprisoned for years, two of them were put in cages for 4 years hung in public view. They were released after Bannockburn in exchange for hostages.

When she was released Marjorie married The High Steward. She had a child, David, who later became King. Then 2 years after Bannockburn she fell off a horse near Paisley and died. She was just 19, the same age as her mother.

WHAT DID ROBERT THE BRUCE LOOK LIKE?
The picture shows a forensic reconstruction of Robert the Bruce's features, as he might have looked just before his death at the age of 55 It was created by a forensic scientist using a cast made of a skull, unearthed during excavations at Dunfermline Abbey in 1818 and believed to have been that of the Scottish king.
It shows Bruce with a deep scar across his face and eye and ravaged by leprosy. It is known that Bruce suffered from dysentery and a skin illness, which may have been leprosy, though someauthorities dispute this.

John
HISTORY LINKS Scottish castles in the West Highlands 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 Mountain Rescue team out twice

The Coire above the Hidden Valley. 

Thousands of people walk up the Hidden Valley each year. Known as Coire Gabhail it is the main target for folks with only a day or so to spare.

Equally thousands of people walk the West Highland Way each year, from just South of Loch Lomond up to Fort William.

Inevitably a few of them have problems. Two parties were found and helped by the Glencoe Rescue team in one weekend in July. 

A couple of Dutch walkers lost their way near the Kings House Hotel on Rannoch Moor around 11.00pm. They wouldn't be the first people to be lost and confused in that pub. They had to be found first before being taken to Glencoe village. A lady walking in the Hidden Valley tripped, twisted her ankle and had to be stretchered down the hill. 

Have you ever tried to carry someone on a stretcher? Going down a rough path on a steep hill? It is very hard work I can tell you.

The rescuers are all volunteers, unpaid. They are on stand by 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. There is a call out somewhere, on average once a week. They depend mostly upon public support.

This is a website whereby you can buy stuff online and a percentage goes to the Glencoe  Rescue team so technically it does not cost a penny.  You can help the Teams finances without giving a donation through this site

The founder of the team is Hamish McInnes. See our other blog posting for news of him.

John

ps.November seems to be filling up in the cottage, but not October so much. Why is that?

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

Gillian and I each woke up in the middle of the night with this nightmare

Bill McKenzies lovely pic of the cottage and the Bay. He gave us permission to use it from his Flickr site. He has some brilliant photos of Glencoe here


This is everyone's personal horror story, if they offer accomodation. Double booking.

Saturday evening last. Arrive home to find 2 emails waiting for us through this brilliant co-operative email service which Glencoe owners use between us. When there is no room at the inn - or b&b or cottage then the visitor's need can be circulated to everyone in the Glencoe area so they can find somewhere to stay.
In our absence, the Glencoe people were trying to find somewhere for a French family who had  turned up at our cottage thinking they were booked in only to find that existing people had arrived earlier that day.

Aarrgh! The French family were now at the Pineapple House in Duror. They were out at dinner but at least I had their name. Worryingly they were clutching a piece of paper with our cottage details on it. I searched the computer for them, nothing found. I checked Paypal, nothing. I knew we had had no bookings nor enquiries from France in the past year. But I can be notoriously inattentive sometimes. Can you imagine what feelings the poor family had on the first day of their holiday in Scotland?

Gillian and I each woke up in the middle of the night worrying about it. If it is our fault then we would have to find somewhere good and pay for it. Would the Holly Tree Hotel have vacancies for a week? Unlikely in the middle of the school holiday. Then the Clachaig said they might have a cottage available.......

In the morning, Jan the new owner of Pineapple House rang to say that it was all a false alarm. When they looked for their papers, they found they were booked in a cottage in Strontian, across the water, and were on their way there. Oh, the relief.

How did it come about, how did they come to us, why did they have our cottage details with them?

I'm guessing, but this is what I think may have happened. Three years ago I signed up with a big French Holiday directory to list our cottage. When I raised questions with them about their trading I received no reply. I even tried to reach their Chief Executive in Paris. Nothing happened. We seemed to get a number of unsuitable enquiries from them and more just before our renewal date. We asked to be taken off their site but WE ARE STILL ON IT. They send us enquiries from the clients, but we are not enabled to reply, presumably to encourage us back in to this directory. So their clients are disappointed to receive no reply and book elsewhere. The Directory is on our Spam list.

I think this family tried to book with us, received no reply, but by mistake brought a printed copy of the website listing with them.

Tricky this modern world. Keeps you awake at night sometimes.
John

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Sophy's Tale...

Ok, it was April, so I've taken time to upload it. Which hill is it Mark? 

Hi John
We had a really smashing holiday thanks, and the cottage was excellent and comfortable. Here are some of the pics I took on the holiday and you can use any of them
Marks' lovely pics of Glencoe
As you can see we did some big hill walks with snow above about 2,200ft. There was all sorts in the way of weather but it was kind to us when we were up high. You'll recognise some lowland walks we did too, such as on the evening of arrival we crossed the bay from the cottage and walked along the coast a bit.
Good birdwatching too! Again, the photos give an idea, but the highlight was a pair of ptarmigan. Great Northern Diver came a close second.
As I said, the cottage was great. Having WiFi was a real bonus.
We went twice to the Holly restaurant - excellent and (in a different way) the Onich Hotel was great too (twice there!)
Thanks again, we had the holiday we hoped for.
Mark & Megan Scott

We loved having you both there.
John
LINKS THINGS TO DO

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

The Aonach Eagach ridge in Glencoe in mid Summer. Sophy's tale

Prologue to Sophy's tale.

February 1955. Imagine a young chap, loves climbing in Scotland. Takes a motor bike to Glencoe from London to celebrate finishing National Service. A valve blows, bike caput. Ring the AA from the repair shop by the Ballyhoo hotel by the ferry for a spare in Birmingham. (Ferry then, no fancy bridge of steel) Nothing to do. Youth hostel in Glencoe, thinks "I'll pop up the Clachaig gully, and along the Ridge". No one to go with, so do it solo. Wet in the gully, thank goodness for clinker nails in the climbing boots - no vibrams in those days. Very very wet. Beautiful day on top, cloudless sky, 360 degrees of snow all around. This vision is seared into my memory until the day I die.

Epilogue to prologue. I came off the ridge as soon as I got frightened. The valve arrived the next day, having been transported from AA man to AA man for 400 miles. Those were the days.

Sophy's tale

Hi John,

Well that’s us back to reality, boo hoo.

What a week we had, it actually feels like we were off for two weeks because we did so much.

That’s the sign of a great holiday!

We had a lovely time so thank you both once again for letting us stay.

We loved the cottage, its very comfy and cosy and just what we needed.

The weather was great as well, we were very lucky.  The only heavy rain we had was when we were on the Aonach Eagach ridge, just when we wanted it to stay dry!

Ah well, we survived!   We also had a lovely walk up Bidean Nam Bian and sunbathed at the top, while watching a thunder storm roll in from the east.  It was spectacular.

I’ve loaded up some of our better photos from our walks – there aren’t many of the Aonach Eagach proper though as there was no way I was stopping to take photos on the really scary bits!

Sophy's album.

ps. I have to confess, I was quite glad of the cloud on top of the ridge a few times, as it meant that I couldn’t see the huge drops below me!

John

Links

Appin is beautiful Bed and breakfast and hotels from Oban to Fort William Walks around our cottage Autumn short breaks in Glencoe Ben Nevis walking is a slog, but worth it Cottage holidays Scotland in the Autumn, Winter, Spring The highlands of Scotland Find holiday cottages anywhere Gorgeous photographs of Glencoe Hill walks in Glencoe Munroes in Glencoe Port Appin Barcaldine Accommodation in Lochaber Kentallen Ballachulish Onich How to find cottage owners self catering websites

A Scottish Earl was the principal Ancestor of William the Conqueror.

The statue of Rollo stands in his adopted City of Rouen

In the 9th century, Vikings ruled the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. The fierce Rollo, born around 846, was expelled from Denmark, and took over the Earldom of Orkney rather brutally by all accounts.

A terrible and powerful ruler he totally dominated his territories. His raiding parties went down the English coast to Brittany. They sailed along the Seine and invaded Paris itself. Not once. Many years in succession.

The French king, Charles, was terrified. He offered the land of Normandy to Rollo in return for not invading Paris.

The story has it that as part of the agreement Rollo had to bend the knee to King Charles. Charles the Simple. He said no Viking could do that and ordered one of his men to do it in his place. The man lifted Charles' foot so high that the King fell over backwards. The King did nothing - not so simple as all that.

That is how Normandy began. Born 200 years later, his great, great, great, grandson was the Duke of Normandy, William, the Conqueror.

Mind you he was born outside the sheets, as it were. But you didn't say this in those days if you wanted to keep your manhood.

John
HISTORY LINKS

Scottish castles in the West Highlands 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

This place is like a treasure trove. 2,300 year old harp found!

This picture is from the Daily Mail. 

In ancient Scotland, without written records, the history was handed down from father to son by word of mouth. But the essentials were often recorded in song. Important people had praise songs as a public tribute in the ancient Gaelic culture.

Cave drawings show how important was music. Flutes have been identified as the oldest instrument of all. You can find flutes to-day because they are made from bone. But the harp is made from wood, and does not last. The harp is the oldest stringed instrument known to mankind. This fragment has lasted for 2,300 years.

The fragment of this harp was found near Armadale in Skye opposite the Mallaig ferry. It was made only 100 years after the oldest harp ever found, in Persia.

Pictish stones depict harps from the 8th century. This harp dated back no less than 1400 years before that.

This is a treasure land, Scotland, it really is.

John
Links:

The real story of the Glencoe Massacre
History around Appin
The Vikings stage a battle in Glencoe?
The Pictish broch. Lismore West of Scotland
Robert the Bruce and the Ardchattan parliament
Robert the Bruce and the Knights Templar
The MacDonalds of Glencoe
Ancient roads of the Highlands
Glencoe, the 4th Wonder of Scotland
Castles in the Glencoe area