Kentallen peninsula

 

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, gannets, and oystercatchers, skimming the water. A few buzzards circling hopefully.

Our view was across to the Ardgour peninsula, which leads on to Ardnamurchan, one of my favourite Scottish place names to attempt to pronounce. Overnight snow had settled on the higher reaches, sprinkled like white fairy dust. From a distance, we could also see the bowl-shaped mountain that is tomorrow’s option 3 - checks guidebook for spelling - Sgurr an-h Enchainne.

We got to the Holly Tree hotel quite early and folk were settling in for a two hour wait for the other group to join our minibus for the return trip, so after a refreshing pint, and having reached peak “small talk” tolerance, I made my excuses and took off on a solitary walk round the rest of the coastline to our country manor hotel, Alltshellach. The route was good and away from the main road, along a disused railway line that has been converted to a cycle path (which goes as far as Oban) and then over the Loch Leven bridge to North Ballachulish, about 4 miles.

Considering the forecast was for a wash-out, it feels like we got a decent outing. Seashore amble with minimal ascent was definitely the right choice. Boots are now in the drying room, getting ready for the next excursion.

Quiz night is a regular HF thing on Wednesdays, and I’ve already been asked to join a few formative teams. Strange how people think a BBC/ received English accent confers intelligence and good general knowledge. They may be disappointed.

Joff x