Glencoe
Tuesday 18th April 2023
We left the site on Skye around 9.15am for our next site in Glencoe. Stopped off to refuel before we drove over the Skye bridge to continue on our journey. Stopped for a coffee at the site of the Battle of Glen Shiel (https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryMagazine/DestinationsUK/The-Battle-of-Glen-Shiel/ )and passed Ben Nevis along the way. Had another stop at Fort William to do a big supermarket shop. Arrived at our next site, Glencoe around 2.15pm. Beautiful setting, the sun is shining and we are surrounded by mountains. Set up, had lunch then walked to the National Trust visitors centre next door to the camp site. It’s so warm we sat outside the van with a cuppa, looking on our phones at what there is to do in the area. Had a late tea and watched the sun set behind the mountain.
Wednesday 19th April 2023
Quiet start to the day, had breakfast then I brewed some fresh coffee. Another sunny warm day and we decided to take the path from the campsite down to the village of Glencoe. Found a monument put up in memory of the massacre that took place in 1692. The Macdonald Clan were all brutally murdered by the army of William III. He wanted to bring the Highlanders into order and set about murdering the clan as an example to the rest.
Had a coffee in a craft cafe before walking back to the van. At 2pm we went over to the National Trust centre for a guided tour of their turf house. They have reconstructed a home as it would have been built in the 17th century. Our guide talked about the history of Glencoe and people who lived and worked here over the centuries.
I went on a bike ride later in the afternoon around Glencoe and up to Loch Achtriochtan, there were some great views of the surrounding mountains.
The ice cream man made an appearance tonight which was a bonus! It’s 8pm and the sun is still shining at the top of the mountains all around us!
Thursday 20th April 2023
So lucky with the weather, more blue sky and sunshine this morning. Drove to a small car park at the foot of the Glencoe pass and we’d parked up by 9.15am. Made a fresh coffee and we had a view up through the mountains ( or munros as they’re called around here) and Loch Achtriochtan.
Set off to walk the Military Road, a path that takes us up the pass to the Hidden Valley. A little bit of a tricky climb at one stage trying to negotiate the boulder path but we made it to the top. Walked back retracing our steps then from the van we walked to the Clachaig Inn. Had lunch there, then drove back to the site.
I think we walked about 7 miles in total! Later I sat out in the sunshine with my book and Del set off on another bike ride. This time he cycled around Loch Leven, a 22 mile ride.
We lost the sun around 7.30pm so sat in the van with drinks and had a snack tea later as we’d eaten lunchtime at the pub.
Friday 21st April 2023
Set off first thing for Fort William. Parked up looking over the sea loch and had our breakfast. We were watching a large cruise ship ferrying passengers across from the ship to the shore where they boarded 4 waiting coaches to whisk them away on their excursion.
Yet again it’s a warm sunny day, no need for coats! Had a wander down the pedestrian high street looking at the shops and having a bit of a spend.Got some bargains in the sales. Had a coffee in a deli before leaving to drive to our picnic and walk stop. We parked at Inchree Water falls near Onich and had lunch there in amongst the trees.
It’s still lovely and sunny and we did the short walk to the falls in t shirts. From there we made our way back to site and got back around 3.30. We got the chairs out and we sat in the sunshine reading. We cooked tea and ate around 7pm.
Saturday 22nd April 2023
Decided to leave the site by 9am again to drive to the car park for our walk today. We drove along the banks of Loch Leven to the village of Kinlochleven where we parked and had breakfast and coffee in the van. Yet again the weather is amazing and we were walking in short sleeves and even put sun cream on! Set off on a walk to see the Greymares Tail waterfall.
The falls featured at the beginning of the walk and from there we climbed up for over a mile and a half. Not easy walking, we had to either contend with loose slippy scree or large uneven boulders that needed to be clambered over with care! Lovely walk though and with all that climbing we were rewarded with fabulous views of the loch and mountains. It looked stunning in the sunshine with clear blue skies. Had another careful walk back down and unfortunately added an extra mile as we couldn’t find the car park! It was now about 1.40pm so we drove round the other side of Loch Leven and pulled into a lay-by to prepare and eat lunch. Got back to the site around 3.15, sat out in the sun with a cuppa. Did a short mile long walk from the visitor centre next door, mainly a big loop around the site. Del found a rough track that led up to a satellite station so he got his bike out and decided to ride up to it.
Later we cooked tea, I washed up and Del put the bikes on the back of the van. The ice cream man made an appearance just before 8pm and as it’s our last night it would be rude not to partake of one! Showers later, then lazing in the van by 8.45pm although it’s still light outside.
Moving onto Loch Lomond tomorrow.
Tuesday 18th April 2023
We left the site on Skye around 9.15am for our next site in Glencoe. Stopped off to refuel before we drove over the Skye bridge to continue on our journey. Stopped for a coffee at the site of the Battle of Glen Shiel (https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryMagazine/DestinationsUK/The-Battle-of-Glen-Shiel/ )and passed Ben Nevis along the way. Had another stop at Fort William to do a big supermarket shop. Arrived at our next site, Glencoe around 2.15pm. Beautiful setting, the sun is shining and we are surrounded by mountains. Set up, had lunch then walked to the National Trust visitors centre next door to the camp site. It’s so warm we sat outside the van with a cuppa, looking on our phones at what there is to do in the area. Had a late tea and watched the sun set behind the mountain.
Wednesday 19th April 2023
Quiet start to the day, had breakfast then I brewed some fresh coffee. Another sunny warm day and we decided to take the path from the campsite down to the village of Glencoe. Found a monument put up in memory of the massacre that took place in 1692. The Macdonald Clan were all brutally murdered by the army of William III. He wanted to bring the Highlanders into order and set about murdering the clan as an example to the rest.
Had a coffee in a craft cafe before walking back to the van. At 2pm we went over to the National Trust centre for a guided tour of their turf house. They have reconstructed a home as it would have been built in the 17th century. Our guide talked about the history of Glencoe and people who lived and worked here over the centuries.
I went on a bike ride later in the afternoon around Glencoe and up to Loch Achtriochtan, there were some great views of the surrounding mountains.
The ice cream man made an appearance tonight which was a bonus! It’s 8pm and the sun is still shining at the top of the mountains all around us!
Thursday 20th April 2023
So lucky with the weather, more blue sky and sunshine this morning. Drove to a small car park at the foot of the Glencoe pass and we’d parked up by 9.15am. Made a fresh coffee and we had a view up through the mountains ( or munros as they’re called around here) and Loch Achtriochtan.
Set off to walk the Military Road, a path that takes us up the pass to the Hidden Valley. A little bit of a tricky climb at one stage trying to negotiate the boulder path but we made it to the top. Walked back retracing our steps then from the van we walked to the Clachaig Inn. Had lunch there, then drove back to the site.
I think we walked about 7 miles in total! Later I sat out in the sunshine with my book and Del set off on another bike ride. This time he cycled around Loch Leven, a 22 mile ride.
We lost the sun around 7.30pm so sat in the van with drinks and had a snack tea later as we’d eaten lunchtime at the pub.
Friday 21st April 2023
Set off first thing for Fort William. Parked up looking over the sea loch and had our breakfast. We were watching a large cruise ship ferrying passengers across from the ship to the shore where they boarded 4 waiting coaches to whisk them away on their excursion.
Yet again it’s a warm sunny day, no need for coats! Had a wander down the pedestrian high street looking at the shops and having a bit of a spend.Got some bargains in the sales. Had a coffee in a deli before leaving to drive to our picnic and walk stop. We parked at Inchree Water falls near Onich and had lunch there in amongst the trees.
It’s still lovely and sunny and we did the short walk to the falls in t shirts. From there we made our way back to site and got back around 3.30. We got the chairs out and we sat in the sunshine reading. We cooked tea and ate around 7pm.
Saturday 22nd April 2023
Decided to leave the site by 9am again to drive to the car park for our walk today. We drove along the banks of Loch Leven to the village of Kinlochleven where we parked and had breakfast and coffee in the van. Yet again the weather is amazing and we were walking in short sleeves and even put sun cream on! Set off on a walk to see the Greymares Tail waterfall.
The falls featured at the beginning of the walk and from there we climbed up for over a mile and a half. Not easy walking, we had to either contend with loose slippy scree or large uneven boulders that needed to be clambered over with care! Lovely walk though and with all that climbing we were rewarded with fabulous views of the loch and mountains. It looked stunning in the sunshine with clear blue skies. Had another careful walk back down and unfortunately added an extra mile as we couldn’t find the car park! It was now about 1.40pm so we drove round the other side of Loch Leven and pulled into a lay-by to prepare and eat lunch. Got back to the site around 3.15, sat out in the sun with a cuppa. Did a short mile long walk from the visitor centre next door, mainly a big loop around the site. Del found a rough track that led up to a satellite station so he got his bike out and decided to ride up to it.
Later we cooked tea, I washed up and Del put the bikes on the back of the van. The ice cream man made an appearance just before 8pm and as it’s our last night it would be rude not to partake of one! Showers later, then lazing in the van by 8.45pm although it’s still light outside.
Moving onto Loch Lomond tomorrow.
