Holiday - Scotland 2019 - Climbing Ice Factor

Scotland Holiday

Sunday 30th June 2019

Today was a wet day with no sign of it clearing up.  We decided to go to Ice Factor where there is indoor climbing.  We spent most of the day there and ate in the cafe.

Holiday - Scotland 2019 - Climbing Polldubh Crags, Glen Nevis

Scotland Holiday

Saturday 29th June 2019

Today we decided to give climbing a go as it seemed like a dry start to the day.  Rain was forecast later on.

We packed our climbing stuff for trad climbing and set off for the rock.  We planned to climb in the Glen Nevis valley at Polldubh Crags.  We parked up and navigated our way up to the rock.  We found Repton first so did one of the climbs up it.  30m long it was a pleasant climb with a few challenging bits.  

We found our way back off the top and decided to head further up the hill to find the next crag and somewhere for lunch.

We sat down for some lunch and it started to drizzle.  It didn't seem to be stopping but we thought we would give it about 10 mins to see what was going to happen.  After about 7 mins thunder started so we made that the cue to depart hastily!  By the time we got back to the car we were drenched and the lightning had started too!

Back at the apartment we get dry and changed and finished our lunch and then had a walk into Fort William.  This evening we went the Brewers Fayre for some dinner.  

Tomorrow looks foul so we are planning to go indoor climbing at Ice Factor.

Holiday - Scotland 2019 - Paddling Loch Garry

Scotland Holiday

Friday 28th June 2019

Today's choice of activity was paddling.  We planned to go to Loch Cuaich.  We drove out to it to find that it was mostly empty of water!!

We drove round to look at where we could park up and put the kayak in but we both felt rather uninspired and thought we would find a different loch with preferably more water in it to go and have a paddle.  

On our way out to Loch Cuaich we had passed Loch Garry that had looked calm.  We went back to it and found somewhere to launch from.

We sat and had some lunch then inflated the kayak and got ready to go.  We did a 6 1/2 mile paddle around the loch and back to the beach where we started.  We were aware that the weather is changing over the next week and will be colder and windier so paddling might not be possible.  We gave the kayak plenty of time to dry so we wouldn't need to get it out again.

Holiday - Scotland 2019 - Paddling Loch Sheil

Scotland Holiday

Thursday 27th June 2019

We both had a long lie in and a relaxed morning around the apartment as we were both shattered from yesterdays walk.  It was a lovely day so after some lunch we decided to go out for a paddle. 

We had looked at access to Loch Sheil so decided to give it a try there.  A hotel was happy for kayakers to leave their car in their car park and launch from the bottom of their lawn where there is a little beach area.

We set off up the loch and after just over 2 miles we pulled up on  beach to stretch our legs.

When we set off again we crossed the loch to come back down the other side.  In all we padded about 5 miles which we both felt was quite adequate after yesterdays efforts!!

Given it was such a lovely day there was no option but to have another BBQ for dinner!!

Holiday - Scotland 2019 - Ben Nevis

Scotland Holiday

Wednesday 26th June 2019

We woke up to a clear, perfect morning for tackling Ben Nevis.  The route Tim chose took us up over Carn Dearg Meadhonach and Carn Mor Dearg round the Carn Mor Dearg Arete and up onto Ben Nevis. We had packed our rucksacks the night before and just had to get ready and make ourselves some lunch.

We got to the carpark and set off walking just before 8am.  We set off up the track through the woods.  Out the top of the trees we could see the mountains we were heading for. 

Half way up the first mountain the loch on the way down from Ben Nevis came into view.

Finally we got up and over Carn Dearg Meadhonach and then onto Carn Mor Dearg.  We had a lovely view of the north face of Ben Nevis  and the Carn Mor Dearg Arete that we had to go across next.

Scrambling across the arete was interesting and exposed in places.  I would not want to go across it in wet conditions!  

At the end of the arete we stopped by a cairne to have some lunch before the final push!

The last bit up on to Ben Nevis was just scrambling up over a large boulder field and took some time and effort.  Eventually we got to the top and joined the masses that had taken the tourist path up!  We walked to the trig point past the old observatory.

After a stop on the top we set off for the tourist path to set off down to the loch we had been able to see on the way up the other mountain.  As we were going down there were plenty of people still making their way up!  We passed a nice waterfall on the way, which was nice to cool us down.

Once down to the loch we turned off the path and the masses!  From the loch we headed over the peat bog trying to find a path that was apparently somewhere there!!  

We eventually found it when we were most of the way down!

After walking for by then nearly 12 miles it was nice to see the bridge where we crossed back onto the path back through the woods and back to the car.  

Back at the apartment I was absolutely shattered, I think I will sleep well tonight!!

Holiday - Scotland 2019 - Eigg Island and An Sgurr

Scotland Holiday

Tuesday 25th June 2019

Today the weather was looking best further out west so we decided to visit the island of Eigg (pronounced Egg!).

We drove out to Arisaig to get on the passenger ferry.  It took about an hour to get out to the island.  On the way we saw a large number of seals on the little islands.

On the way over we could see this highest point An Sgurr and we decided that we would walk up it.

The impressive peak was originally a lava flow from the volcano on Rum about 58 million years ago. The lava followed an old river bed, filling the glen. Over subsequent millions of years, the pitchstone lava, which is harder than the surrounding basalt, withstood erosion and was left standing as the surrounding rock was worn away both gradually over time and more quickly during times of glaciation. Now the mile-long ridge stands proud, with the summit at 393 metres.

It was a nice walk with easy to follow paths.  The last section up on to the peak was quite rocky under foot.

We got back down with an hour to spare before the ferry.  We wondered about going to visit a couple of little caves that are on the island - one of which was Massacre cave - In 1577 a group of Macleods from Skye landed on the island seeking revenge for the latest act in a long running feud with the Macdonalds. The entire population of the island hid in the cave for 3 days and the Macleods were unable to find them. However as they sailed away they spotted a lookout and were able to follow his footsteps in the snow which led them to the cave. The Macleods built a huge fire and the smoke killed 395 people trapped inside the cave. Later, other Macdonalds were to exact equally bloody and ruthless revenge on the Macleods at Trumpan Church on Skye. 

Instead we decided to visit the cafe and rest our feel as tomorrow we plan to go up Ben Nevis!

The boat ride back was quite rough but was made better by seeing lots of seals!!

Holiday - Scotland 2019 - Point of Ardnamurchan and Sanna Point

Scotland Holiday

Monday 24th June 2019

Today we decided to drive out to Point of Ardnamurchan - the most westerly point on the UK and Sanna Point where there was some climbing.

The drive out took a long time and the road was not good.  At the Point of Ardnamurchan we scrambled around the rocks below the lighthouse and then found somewhere sheltered to sit for some lunch.  We could see out to some of the Inner Hebredies Islands.  We also joined a tour up the light house - We could see seals in one of the nearby bays.  

By the time we were leaving the Point of Ardnamurchan it was a bit to late to start climbing.  We decided to head round to Sanna point to look at the climbing and then have a walk on the beach.  

Holiday - Scotland 2019 - Paddling Loch Arkaig

Scotland Holiday

Sunday 23rd June 2019

Today it was cloudy but warm so we decided to go paddling.  We drive up to Loch Lochy but it was quite choppy due to the wind.  We decided to head further up the road to Loch Arkaig to see if it was calmer as it ran on a different angle.  We parked up and got out to have a look.  It was so sheltered it was like a millpond.  We inflated the kayak, got kitted up and set off.  We have a lovely 8 1/2 mile paddle.

On the way back we stopped at Eas Chia-aig waterfall.

On the way back to the apartment we could see the route we were planning to take up Ben Nevis.

It was such a lovely evening we decided to have a BBQ with the wonderful view from out the back.

Holiday - Scotland 2019 - Fort William

Scotland Holiday

Saturday 22nd June 2019

We set off for Fort William just before 10:00.  We had a good journey up and only stopped once for lunch at services on the way.  We arrived at our apartment by 17:30, unloaded the car, unpacked and then went to do the food shopping. We then had a lazy evening with pizza, tv and having a look at the weather and options for what to do when.

Not sure about the shower being on a stage!!