Gords Scotland

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April/May 2000

Went up to Strathconon at the end of April, with Steve, Paul and Frank. To do some walking and generally chill out. The weather was brilliant.

We went up the A82 from Glasgow, passing through Glen Coe (above) and Spean Bridge where just to the side of the road is the Commando Memorial. From here there are spectacular views of the lanscape, where the commando's were trained during World War II look at the hills still covered in snow(below).

The memorial was crafted in bronze by Scott Sutherland, and was erected in 1952. The inscription reads "United We Conquer".

Frank, GD & Paul in Glen Affric

Glen Affric, is a National Nature Reserve, It is an areas of breathtaking beauty, and provides access to some of the wilder and more remote areas of Scotland. Wildlife abounds within the remnants of the ancient Caledonian Pine Forest, Red Deer, Golden Eagle, Badger, Pine Marten, Otter and many more. The spectacle of the Dog Falls at the foot of the glen leads the visitor to Loch Beinn a' Mheadhoin, Glen Affric has often been described as the most beautiful glen in Scotland, it stretches for 30 miles from Kintail in the west to within a few miles of Cannich in Strathglass. The burns tumbling down the mountains on the north side of Glen Shiel and from Beinn Fhada culminate in two major streams – Allt a Chòmhlain and Allt Cam-bàn. They then combine to create the River Affric which flows through two major lochs to Fasnakyle in Strathglass where it meets with the Abhainn Deabhag to form the River Glass.

The first distance walk we did was in Glen Affric, it was about 23 miles in total. We didn't realise that on the way back to the car, a fair bit of the walk was on the road into the glen. The day started quite cool but by the afternoon it was very hot. The soles of my hiking boots split, and left me with huge blisters on the soles of my feet. Even Abbey's pads were red raw.

Rogie Falls are a couple of miles west of Contin on the A832, there are also the Contin Walks. The area is well worth a visit.

GD, Abbey & Paul on the suspension bridge at Rogie Falls

GD & Paul above Loch Achilty

Paul was the highlight of this trip, he opted to do all the cooking (it's his hobby) so the rest of us washed and tidied up. We came down to breakfast one very warm morning to find Paul in the kichen cooking breakfast as usual, wearing his apron. Nothing unusual about that until he turned around, from behind he was naked from the waist down. He had done it for a laugh. it was a shock to see his big hairy a**e just before eating your bacon and eggs. We all assumed because it was warm he was wearing shorts. On another occassion he bought a very expensive bottle of single malt whiskey in Inverness. He explained he wouldn't open it in Scotland because he wanted it for home, fair enough. That evening he decide to open it, just for a taste! Steve and I also got a glass, and very nice it was. That night Steve got up about 2am to use the loo, as he passed the kitchen he got the shock of his life when he noticed someone in there. It turned out to be Paul absolutely p****d holding on to the kitchen sink so he didn't fall over, next to him was an almost empty whiskey bottle.

Loch Achilty and the entrance to Strathconon

Parked the car at Loch Beanacharin at the west end of Strathconon. We set off walking west at 8am along the River Meig, which we later crossed at Corrievuic. We then started climbing Creacg Achadh an Eas which is about 570 metres, then on to Meall Buidhe which is about 682 metres. We went across open country, and made the very steep descent into Glen Chorainn, passing through the farm at Inverchoran getting back to the car at 4pm, and we never saw another living soul.

Looking down on Scadroy House and Loch Beanacharin

As we were climbing we suddenly heard what sounded vaguely like a hissing noise. Then round the side of the hill came an RAF Tornado fighter, on a low level flying exercise. He was at the same height as we were, banked so the cockpit was on our side. As we looked at the pilot he looked at us and then he was gone. It all happened so quickly none of us could get a camera out in time.

Two views across the hills

View towards Scadroy and Loch Beanacharin

Looking down the glen from above Inverchoran, Loch Meig is in the distance.

Right: The cabin we used to stay in when the kids were younger.

Below: Jennifer and Stuart filling water bottles from a stream in the forest.

Janice and Jennifer with Loch Meig in the distance

Scatwell House

Scatwell House was built in the 19th century and was once the home of the cheiftain of Clan MacKenzie. The owner in 2000 opened the grounds to the public one day a year, to raise money for charity.

The house sits in 20 acres of woodland

The owners of Scatwell House have changed, and the house is still a private residence.

Built on a spit of land jutting out into the Moray Firth, north east of Inverness at Ardersier. Fort George is the mightiest artillery fortification in Britain, and possibly Europe. Its elaborate 18th-century bastioned defences and original garrison buildings still survive intact. Its walls are almost a mile around, and enclose an area of 42 acres (Edinburgh Castle esplanade would fit into the parade ground). Despite taking 21 years to complete and costing nearly £1 billion at today's prices, Fort George never saw a shot fired in anger, but is still in use as a working army base.

Piczo