Dunns On Tour

  Final day’s walking, and again the weather gods have smiled on us. A few drops of rain at the start quickly cleared up, turning into dry, mild and only slightly overcast conditions. Our destination was a lochan set on a high plateau, which opens out to the northermost range of the Mamores. We set off from Kinlochleven, a fairly large group of eight, at a very moderate pace. After passing Grey Mare’s waterfall, named after Edward VII’s favourite horse bizarrely, we soon reached the edge of Loch Eilde Mor (meaning large hind). From there, it was a clamber to the lochan and a spot of lunch. In all, over 3000 feet of ascent, but very easy going. On the return route, we were treated to the eerie, plaintive sound of a stag bolling, followed by a view of another troupe of deer on the ridge. They seemed as curious of us, as we were of them. The descent took us down an engineered deer stalker’s path, past a hunter’s lodge and defunct British Alcan HQ (bauxite used to be made into aluminiu...

With apologies to Storm Ciaran sufferers, this was another beautiful sunny day in the Highlands with perfect conditions for walking. Our small group of five who elected option 3 (“difficult”) walk, took the passenger ferry at Crossan onto the Ardgour peninsula. The mountain rises straight up from the shoreline and can be reached via a short but pleasant forest walk. The going then gets fairly tough, steeply up tussocky grass, and over the waterfalls of Maclean’s t’Sabhaile (pronounced ‘towel’). The ridge at the top curves round in a horseshoe shape, to reach the high point of Druim an Sgriodain. It’s a rocky and rough terrain here, dotted with lochans and tor-like stacks. We had views up Loch Linnhe to snow-covered Ben Nevis on one side, and down to the Isle of Mull on the other. Ardgour itself is a beautiful skyline of peaks and valleys. There are sparsely populated settlements here and there. A group of deer scampered off quickly on our approach, there are a few around with the rutti...

  Definitely an option 1 (easy walk) day, there were storms overnight and the rain was trashing down first thing. Several fairweather guests decided to opt out and stay indoors. I managed to inveigle a continental and cooked breakfast combo, with a cheeky wink to the friendly staff. Then it was full waterproofs and gaiters, as we took the minibus to Duror to start our bracing coastal walk. A diverting change from inland Glen Coe. Wind has really picked up strength, blasting down Loch Linnhe from the North. Easily Force 5, with churning white horses on the waves. It felt surprising mild though. And after a couple hours the downpour relented and the low cloud started to lift, the odd bit of sunshine popping through. We skirted round a couple of beaches and low-level boggy marshes, spotting various bits of wildlife (well, I had them pointed out to me by more observant companions). A brace of seals, popping up curiously from the sea to check out our commotion. Several cormorants, ganne...