Coire an Lochain

 

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 aluminium and exported from here). The views back down the loch were echt Highland.

A pint at MacDonald’s (not the burger chain), then the minibus home to Alltshellach. The place is buzzing with preparations to celebrate HF’s 110th year of operation, so there may be a free glass of Prosecco in the offing.

I’ve enjoyed this walking holiday. We’ve had tremendous fortune with the overhead conditions, mostly dry and sunny. There’s been a good variety of walking, and I feel that I’ve explored areas of Glen Coe that I was not previously familiar with. It’s not my comfort zone to socialise with complete strangers, but even this aspect of the experience has gone tolerably well. I will miss the 3 course meals and generous packed lunches.

Long journey home beckons, and of course looking forward to seeing my family again!

Joff x