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| Sidney - views south from Priest Island/AnCleireach - the Summer Isles |
After a lockdown spring, a holiday on the West Coast seemed like heaven...
We stayed a week in the lovely coastal campsite at Ardmair Point Campsite, just north of Ullapool, just Jim and me (unless you count Sidney!).
Followed by a week in our regular haunt at the Glen Nevis Campsite, Fort William, with our eldest son and his family, up from Yorkshire.
Below are the walks and boat trips that have their own posts - as you can see it was a pretty busy fortnight!
Ben Mor Coigach and Sgurr an Fhidhleir
Eas a'Chual Aluinn Waterfall
Sidney to Isle Martin
Sidney and the Summer Isles
Ullapool Hill (Meall Mor)
Boat Trip from Arisaig - Lots of Whales
Carn Mor Dear and Ben Nevis
Sidney on Loch Ailort
But here are a few of our little adventures from in between:
Friday, 31st July - Arrival at Cannich and a swim in Loch Beinn a Mheadhoin
Our usual start point for a holiday is a night at Cannich Woodland Campsite - and this time was no different. It feels like a home from home.
After setting up, we had a little drive up into Glen Affric for a dip in Loch Beinn a Mheadhoin from the Forestry car park under Coille Ruigh na Cuileige (NH244261)
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| Evening swim in Loch Beinn a Mheadhoin |
It was a little chilly - and the midges were happy to welcome Jim (with his camera) on shore, for a spot of supper.
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| Evening swim in Loch Beinn a Mheadhoin - the little dot in the water is me... |
Saturday, 1st August - North west to Ardmair
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| River Cannich in Cannich village |
After the obligatory morning walk around the lovely village of Cannich, we packed up and headed north west to Ardmair Point, just a couple of hours in the car...
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| River Cannich at Cannich Bridge |
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| Loch Kanaird from Ardmair Point |
Our pitch was right on the shore of Loch Kanaird - views west over Isle Martin and to the Summer Isles beyond, with the mountains of Coigach encirling the loch...
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| Loch Kanaird and Isle Martin from Ardmair Point |
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| Isle Martin Sunset from Ardmair Point |
Sunday, 2nd August - Ben Mor Coigach and Sgurr an Fhidhleir
Monday, 3rd August - Eas a'Chuil Aluinn Waterfall
Tuesday, 4th August - To Lochinver
On a somewhat grey and damp morning, and after two days out and about in the hills, we decided on a bit of a road trip - north along the coast roads to Lochinver.
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| Loch an Eisg Brachaidh, south of Lochinver |
We had a short walk along the coastline around the stunning Loch an Eisg Brachaidh - another one of those places we vowed we would have to go back someday.
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| Seal - Loch an Eisg Brachaidh |
And then onward to Lochinver - somewhere we had never explored before, as Jim has always had a strange aversion to the place. So today was the day to change his mind about the village...
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| River Inver, near Lochinver |
We parked up on the seafront, with every intention of finding a cafe for lunch - but everywhere was full to overflowing - so the local shop had to suffice for a sandwich, and we had a picnic overlooking the harbour.
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| River Inver, near Lochinver |
The next couple of hours were spent happily exploring around the harbour and the village.
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| River Inver, near Lochinver |
Followed by a wander along the River Inver - a lovely walk which we had to ourselves, although it started only a few minutes from the bustling village centre.
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| Weir on River Inver, near Lochinver |
I think Jim's views on Lochinver have softened somewhat.
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| River Inver near Lochinver |
We drove further north to Scourie, but the weather took a definite turn for the worse - raindrops bouncing off the road in front. So it wasn't exactly a day for further exploring on foot.
But whatever the weather, this bit of coastline is superb. We never tire of it...
Wednesday, 5th August - Sidney to Isle Martin
Thursday, 6the August - Sidney to the Summer Isles
Friday, 7th August - Ullapool Hill (Meall Mor)
Saturday, 8th August - Onward to Geln Nevis
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| Isle Martin and Garbh Choireachan from Ardmair campsite |
It seemed such a shame to be moving on, on such a glorious morning - but we were meeting up with the next generation in Glen Nevis - so after the usual packing up palaver and a cuppa on the beach, we headed south.
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| Meall Mor from Ardmair campsite |
And only 3 hours later we were pitching up again in the Glen Nevis Campsite - with some real hill biggies all around. Plus the sun was still shining!
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| Glen Nevis campsite - views to Sgurr a'Mhaim from our pitch |
The family duly arrived and the annual holiday shenanigans commenced :)
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| Stob Ban from Glen Nevis campsite |
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| Evening light on the lower slopes of Ben Nevis and Sgurr a'Mhaim from Ben Nevis campsite |
Sunday, 9th August - Not Bla Bheinn
Monday, 10th August - River Etive
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| The River Etive |
After a leisurely breakfast, a walk around Glen Nevis and a trip to the shops for supplies, we headed out with our swimming gear for a bracing dip...
After yesterdays adventures on Skye, Jim and his ear were benched and he was left in charge of the towels and the camera!
The River Etive has more than one amazing wild swimming spot - this particular one was ours for the afternoon.
We had a wander down into Fort William - taking in the wildlife and having a mess about at the old curling "pond" on the way - coffee, cake and shopping ensued...
Later in the day the rescue helicopter was seen over Ben Nevis - it's always a worry when you see it! But thank goodness for those guys.
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| Swimming in the River Etive |
The River Etive has more than one amazing wild swimming spot - this particular one was ours for the afternoon.
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| Swimming in the River Etive |
Tuesday, 11th August - Arisaig Boat Trip and lots of whales
Wednesday, 12th August - A lazy day around Glen Nevis Campsite
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| Deer in Glen Nevis |
We had a wander down into Fort William - taking in the wildlife and having a mess about at the old curling "pond" on the way - coffee, cake and shopping ensued...
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| Rescue over Ben Nevis |
Later in the day the rescue helicopter was seen over Ben Nevis - it's always a worry when you see it! But thank goodness for those guys.
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| Sgurr a'Mhaim from Ben Nevis campsite |
A barbeque and another walk is always a good end to the day :)
Thursday, 13th August - Carn Mor Dear and Ben Nevis
Friday, 14th August - Sidney on Loch Ailort
Saturday, 15th August - Back to Cannich, and a swim in River Cannich
Another packing up morning - once again, the weather was glorious and looked set in for a few more days - do we really have to start heading home?
The youngsters headed south and we headed north east - back to Cannich.
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| River Cannich, east of Loch Carrie |
You've got to make the most of the last evening - so a dip in the River Cannich seemed in order.
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| Swim in River Cannich, east of Loch Carrie |
We'll be back soon...
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| Swim in River Cannich, east of Loch Carrie |
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