Glencoe

As promised to myself, we took another very enjoyable trip up the A82 with the aim of visiting Glencoe.

Just short of Bridge of Orchy, the pyramid shaped Beinn Dorain caught our eye again and so we stopped for a couple of photographs.

The Rio Tinto Alcan train runs regularly to Fort William with a cargo of alumina and we were on time to see it coming back down the line.

Next stop was Lochan na h-Achlaise where the distant snow-topped mountains were reflecting beautifully in the still water.

We eventually reached Kingshouse Hotel where we stopped in the carpark for a cuppa and a sandwich. The wildlife inhabitants soon came by to visit us and were happy to pose to have their photographs taken.

After our break it was time to get back on the road. We drove into Glen Coe and parked the car for a walk up the Devil's Staircase. The uphill walk was long and tiring but the hike was worth the energy spent. Once at the summit, which still had patches of snow lying, we had a view towards the Mamores beyond Kinlochleven.

We left the footpath and headed west for a view of the Three Sisters, three shoulders of Bidean nam Bian, the highest peak in Argyll. Although the day was generally bright and sunny there was a haze which hung around most of the time.

Back at the base of the Devil's Staircase it was time for another coffee and sandwich to replenish ourselves and for one last photo opportunity before leaving Glencoe.

At the foot of Buachaille Etive Mor is Lagnagarbh Hut which is owned by the National Trust for Scotland and provides accomodation, mainly for climbers.

On our way home we stopped at Loch Tulla in time for the sun setting on a very enjoyable day out. There are still many areas of Glencoe to be explored, so I'm sure I will have at least one more visit this year.