Brochel Castle Isle of Raasay

Brochel Castle Isle of Raasay.

MBA Bothy North Raasay

MBA Bothy, North Raasay.

There's a cracking bothy at the North end of the Isle of Raasay on the West Coast of Scotland. The bothy is maintained by the Mountain Bothies Association and is free to stay the night in.

The North of Raasay and the islands of Fladda and Eilean Tigh tell the tale of the Highland Clearances more eerily than any written word.


Ruin on Fladda.


Ruins on Eilean Tigh.

Am Buachaille Sandwood Bay

Am Buachaille, Sandwood Bay.

Sandwood Bay is certainly one of the best beaches in Scotland, but the eye is always drawn to the rugged sea stack of Am Buachaille. If you are visiting Sandwood, take the return trip by the coast and you will be greatly rewarded, with magnificent cliffs, the surging sea and a myriad of birdlife.


Am Buachaille.


Looking North to Am Buachaille.

Danger of Death sign Glen Nevis

Danger of Death sign, Glen Nevis.

Whilst the path to Steall waterfall and Glen Nevis isn't the best, I hope the Danger of Death doesn't put anyone off visiting this wonderful spot. Continuing past the waterfall, the path through Glen Nevis can get fairly muddy in places, but it certainly leads you on to a remote setting, dwarfed by the hills. There are good bothies in the Glen should you decide to stay the night and a great choice of through walks to Kinlochleven, Rannoch or Spean Bridge.

I suppose we face Danger of Death every time we walk out the door, but please take care at all times and make sure you're properly equipped for the vagaries of the Scottish weather, especially at this time of year when four seasons in one day are very common!


Wire Bridge, Steall, Glen Nevis.


Steall Waterfall, Glen Nevis.


Right of Way, Glen Nevis.

Loch Etchachan Cairngorms National Park

Loch Etchachan, Cairngorms National Park.

Loch Etchachan is a superb camping spot in the Cairngorms National Park. The right to roam allows us to pitch a tent as long as we respect the land and those using it. This part of the Cairngorms National Park gives easy access to the munros of Ben Macdui, Derry Cairngorm and Ben Mheadhoin.


Loch Avon, Cairngorms National Park.


Cairngorm Mountain and Loch Avon.

Gliding in the Cairngorms National Park

Gliding in the Cairngorms National Park.

I can't think of a better way to see the Cairngorms National Park than gliding effortlessly over the mountains. This airfield near Aviemore provides enthusiasts with perfect thermals for gliding.


Gliding near Aviemore.


Flying over the Cairngorms.

Rothiemurchus towards Lurchers Crag

Rothiemurchus towards Lurchers Crag.

Rothiemurchus forest is a fantastic area to explore in the Cairngorms National Park. With fantastic wildlife to search for - Capercaillie, Crossbill, Black Grouse, Ptarmigan and Ospreys being just some of the delights for the twitchers.

The network of paths and cycle tracks make this a perfect area for an Autumn break!

Creag Mhor in Aviemore provides an excellent base to explore the Cairngorms National Park!


Dog Walking at Rothiemurchus.


Paths to Lairig Ghru or Glen Einich.


Cycle path, Aviemore to Cairngorm Mountain.

Bidean nam Bian Argyll

Bidean nam Bian, Argyll.

Bidean nam Bian, the highest mountain in Argyll, is one of my favourite walks in Glencoe. There are good paths, particularly the Corrie nan Lochan route, and the summit views are amazing.


Bidean nam Bian.


Glencoe Village from Bidean nam Bian.

Rainbow over Ben Nevis

Rainbow over Ben Nevis.

The photo doesn't do justice to the most vivid rainbow that I've ever seen from one of the Carn Dearg 'tops' of Ben Nevis. It's a great viewpoint for the waterfall at Steall and the wonderful ridge of the Mamores.



Steall Waterfall from Carn Dearg.


Mamores from Carn Dearg.

Ben Alder and the Lancet Edge

Ben Alder and the Lancet Edge.

A fantastic April day near the fabulous Ben Alder and the graceful Lancet Edge of Sgor Iutharn.


Ben Alder.


Lancet Edge of Sgor Iutharn.

The ruins of Hallaig Isle of Raasay

Dun Caan and Hallaig.

There are a few places is Scotland that give me goosebumps, but none moreso than the ruined township at Hallaig. I could honestly picture the people who once lived here, making their way between the basic cottages about their daily lives. It really had an indescribable feeling of both joy and yet sadness at the same time.



Looking East from Dun Caan towards Hallaig.


Looking North from Hallaig.









Ruins of the township of Hallaig.

Highland Clearances on Isle of Raasay

South Screapadal, Raasay.

North and South Screapadal are just two of the villages on the Isle of Raasay which no longer exist due to the Highland Clearances which devastated many parts of Scotland. Raasay is a fantastic place to visit, with many beautiful walks and historical sites round every corner. Everyone should try and read the fabulous Calums Road, to find out more about the Island and this special man!


Ruins at Hallaig, Raasay.


Dun Caan from Loch na Mna, Raasay.


Dun Caan from Hallaig Raasay


Cooking Mussels at Brochel, Raasay.


Brochel Castle, Isle of Raasay.

The summit of Monte Rotondo Corsica

The summit of Monte Rotondo Corsica.

Lovely walk from the Restonica valley near Corte in Corsica, to the Summit of Monte Rotondo, a magnificent viewpoint.

Following the river Timozzo to the Berg de Timozzo and on to the Lavu del Oriente took two and a half hours. A superb spot for a break, followed by an entertaining scramble to the summit.

The whole walk took a leisurely seven hours with no really difficult sections


At the summit of Monte Rotondo.


Lavu Bellebone Monte Rotondo.


Lavu Del Oriente Monte Rotondo

Suilven from the East

Suilven from the East.

Heather Heart Blackhope Scar

Heather Heart, Blackhope Scar.

Came across this patch of heather in the shape of a heart while climbing Blackhope Scar in the Scottish Borders.

Walking on the Isle of Skye

The Cioch, Isle of Skye.

An ambition as yet unfulfilled! An evening on the Cioch watching the sun sink in the West!


Beinn Dearg Mhor, Isle of Skye.

Delightful walk from Sligachan, Beinn Dearg Mhor is a superb viewpoint!


Clach Glas, Bla Bheinn ridge, Isle of Skye.

Fantastic traverse requiring a good head for heights! One of the classic ridge walks in Scotland.


Cuillin Ridge from Elgol.

The Cuillin Ridge from Elgol is one of the images that appear year after year on Calendars from Scotland. The coastal walk to Camasunary is very special!


Coir a' Ghrunnda, Isle of Skye.

One of the most atmospheric places I've ever been, when shrouded in mist. It reminded me of being in a cathedral - wide open and yet enclosed at the same time - amazing!


Bothy at Camasunary.

The Bothy at Camasunary must have one of the best situations in the whole of the Isle of Skye. Situated between Bla Bheinn and the main Cuillin Ridge it is absolutely perfect!


Gars-bheinn and Camasunary.

The start of the Cuillin ridge traverse, Gars-bheinn, although not a munro, is a shapely mountain.


Druim nan Ramh Ridge.

Another ambition is to climb the ridge of Druim nan Ramh and after joining the main ridge, climb anti clockwise to return to Camasunary.


Trotternish Ridge.

Not on the same scale as the Cuillin ridge but remarkable in its own way. Still to walk the full length of the ridge, but amazed by the surreal images of the Quiraing, and the Old Man of Storr!


Old Man of Storr, Trotternish Ridge.


Quiraing, Trotternish Ridge.