Month: July 2011
The Big Ones – Ben Nevis & Buachaille Etive Mor
Last week we spent an incredible weekend climbing Ben Nevis and Buachaille Etive Mor. The incredible part? Wall-to-wall Mediterranean sunshine (ie hot, hot, hot!) clear views and men climbing Ben Nevis in their pants!
One woman who went said that climbing Buachaille Etive Mor was the best day of walking she’d ever had in Scotland. And I have to agree.
We stayed at the Bridge of Orchy Hotel and Bunkhouse. I’d highly recommend both. The food at the restaurant is excellent and staff very helpful. Perfect place to stay and there is so much to do nearby.
Here for your delectation a few pictures of a glorious weekend.
Arriving at Ben Nevis
On the way up. The path zig zags the mountain so for the most part it’s a gentle ascent.
But there are some steeper sections.
Incredible views on the way up.
Snow near the summit
A few of us on the summit of Ben Nevis. It took us 3 hours to reach the summit at a relaxed pace. Great feeling!
The summit looks busier than Fort William on a beautiful day like this.
The boys in pants doing their thang!
Beautiful views as we begin our descent
Arriving at Buachaille Etive Mor
Victoria and Robin flying as they approach the summit
Feeling ecstatic on the summit! The Buachaille is a steep munro. More interesting and challenging than Ben Nevis. I loved it.
Amazing views…
The descent was the difficult part, Buachaille’s steep and rocky. Here on hands, and bums we negotiate a particularly tricky section. You can just make us out in the middle of the photo below.
Our next weekend is in Speyside in September. This time it’s a mix of hillwalking, cycling and sightseeing. You choose how much or how little you do. Last year’s trip to Glen Clova in September was lovely, with brilliant weather.
To find out more about Speyside in September visit our Speyside weekend webpage.
You can find out more about the the Sunday Brunch Club Walking Group here.
What are your favourite walks in Scotland?
Gorgeous afternoon at Jupiter Artland
On Saturday we had a lovely, lovely afternoon at Jupiter Artland the contemporary sculpture garden just 30 minutes west of Edinburgh at Kirknewton. It really is incredible to see these sculptures set against a backdrop of landscaped gardens and ‘wild’ forest.
Here’s our day in pictures. You can find out more about the works and artists on the Jupiter Artland website.
Jupiter Artland also has a fabulous cafe serving delicious salads and sandwiches. I absolutely loved my chicken, butternut squash and feta concoction.
Though rain had threatened in the morning, we arrived to glorious sunshine and whiled away a few hours in the garden over a long lunch.
Viv and I having photo fun in the fabulous mirrored caravan/cafe.
JUPITER ARTLAND
Bonnington House, Kirknewton, City of Edinburgh EH27 8BB
01506 889900
Jupiter Artland on facebook and twitter