The West Scotland Trail / Gallery

Section 04. Assynt and NW Sutherland

: 128. The Riverside Path between Lael Forest and Inverbroom Lodge was one of Lady Fowler’s walks which the estate had restored

: 129. Inverbroom Lodge is a Victorian lodge and the seat of the estate. It was once the home of Sir Fowler chief engineer on the Forth Rail Bridge.

: 130. Looking down into Glen Lael from the climb up to the watershed between The Lael and The Douchary rivers. In the distant right is An Teallach mountain

: 131. Looking down into the open Glen Douchary from the watershed between it and the River Lael. The ruins are just visible beside the gravel banks of the rivers meanders

: 132. After the flatter plain with the ruins the River Douchary entered a narrow gorge with deep pools and the sides covered in small verdant decidious trees

: 133. Loch an Damph was a welcome sight after following the difficult path above the River Douchary gorge on the east side.

: 134. The cold Knockdamph Bothy was spacious inside but had flagstone floors which kept it cool.

: 135. Looking down Glen Einig from the meeting point of the higher glens which emerged from the surrounding mountains near the Duag Bridge Schoolhouse Bothy (centre right)

: 136. The very dry River Einig just before it’s confluence with the River Oykel.

: 137. The newer bridge over the River Oykel. The old stone bridge is hidden behind it.

: 138. The Oykel Bridge Hotel was an oasis of comfort and good food all at a reasonable price. I spent a night here.

: 139. The rowan trees in Strath Oykel beside the river were full of flowers and will be heavy with berries in the autumn.

: 140. The River Oykel is a well known salmon river, but at the moment the salmon are waiting for the river to rise before heading up to their spawning grounds

: 141. Loch Ailish is the birth place of the River Oykel and many streams flow into the loch. In the background are the scree clad ridges of Ben More Assynt

: 142. Heading north up beside the main stream feeding Loch Ailish to the junction where the path splits to go round Ben More Assynt on the west or east side

: 143. Camped at Loch carn nan Conbhairean on the east side of the Ben More Assynt massif

: 144. With the mist finally clearing the sun shone on Gorm Loch Mor on the east side of Ben More Assynt.

: 145. Heading down the rocky valley between Gorm Loch Mor and the sea loch of Loch Coul

: 146. Apparently the Eas a’Chual Aluinn waterfall is the highest in Britian. however it was not a vertical drop at all

: 147. Approaching the secluded bay at the end of Loch Coul with the tide half out. The bothy was another 2 km from here.

: 148. The stunning view from the bench at Glencoul Bothy looking across the islands in Lochcoul to he village of Unapool and Kylesku at the far end. Quiniag mountain is in the distant left.

: 149. The small bothy at Glencoul has a perfect setting in a sheltered bay at the end of the Loch with several islands around it.

: 150. Looking back to the Hhead of Loch Glencoul. The house and bothy are just visible to the left of the islands. The stack of Glen Coul is on the left and the waterfall is just visible in the centre of the photo. A truly special place

: 151. Looking across Loch Glencoul from the path over the Glencoul Thrust towards the massif buttress of Quinag, which has 3 Corbetts atop its ramparts

: 152. Looking north from the Glencoul Thrust down into Loch Glendhu with Glendhu House and Bothy on the otherside to the left of the picture.

: 153. Some of the many sea pinks which were beginning to blossom on the tidal grasses at the head of Loch Glendhu

: 153. The beautiful track along the north side of Loch Glendhu between the bothy and Kylesku reminded me of a postcard of a cart track from the 1950’s

: 155. A distant image of a golden plover. I saw a few pairs of them on the flatter top of Ben Draevie all feigning injury to lure me from their scraps.

: 156. Looking west to Aldany island, which is just attached to the mainland at low tide, then the Stoer Peninsula beyond. In the far distance, almost lost in the haze, is Lewis and Harris

: 157. Some of the huge display of orchids which were just coming into blossom everywhere on the trail. There were 5-6 varieties of them.

: 158. A typical cluster of Lochans in this “Cnoc and Lochan” landscape of NW Sutherland on terrain which is still largely bare after the ice sheets dissapeared

: 159. Looking NW from the path down to Loch Stack to the typical rocky landscape of Lewisian Gneiss. The small Loch na Seilge had a lovely camping beach near the outlet.

: 160. Loch Stack Lodge is a modest Victorian lodge at the outlet of Loch Stack which is owned by the Duke of Westminster and probably used as a fishing lodge. I camped in the trees at the edge of the lawn.

: 161. Looking back to Ben Stack which dominates the south side of Loch Stack. It is only 720 metres high but is a steep quartzite mountain with a very conical profile from the west.

: 162. Two distant red throated divers on Loch a’Cham Alltain. I tried to lure them with the recording of a call and they anwsered with their own call.

: 163. The boatshed on Loch a’Garbh-Bhaid Beag, the smaller of the two lochs on the final run down to the perfunctory hamlet of Rhiconich.

: 164. Looking down Loch Inchard to the crofting township of Achriesgill with all the crofts surround by drystone walls. This was on the walk along the quiet road to Inshegra hamlet

: 165. Looking south over the upper crofts of Oldshore Beg towards Handa Island which is slightly right of centre in the photo

: 166. The sea stack on Am Buachaille on the south side of the peach coloured sands of Sandwood Bay

: 167. Looking north from Sandwood Bay across the lower sands exposed by the low tide to the headlands leading up to Cape Wrath, which is just beyond the last hill.

: 168. A Ringed Plover on the beach at Sandwood Bay. The eat insects, crustaceans and worms which the ebbing tide exposed

: 169. A hiker (Stuart from Whitburn) retracing his steps back up Sandwood Bay beach to find an easy place to cross the swollen river after the recent rains

: 170. The lovely Strathcailleach Bothy is near a peat bank and was once the home of a Hightland Hermit called James McRory-Smith or Sandy. It is about 10km south of Cape Wrath

: 171. Enjoying the peat fire in Strathcailleach Bothy which after a while started to throw out considersable warmth.

: 172. A pair of Red Throated Divers on the Loch a’ Gheodha Ruaidh which was about half an hours walk north of Strathcailleach Bothy.

: 173. The eggs of a Golden Plover’s nest in a small scrape in the boggy heather covered Parph. This nest was on a slight rise so it would not get water logged.

: 174. The bog loving Round Leaved Sundew is a carnivorous plant which traps small insects on the sticky dew drops on their leaves and then digests them.

: 175. After 563 km, 16500 metres of ascent, and a month of walking I finally approach Cape Wrath and its isolated lighthouse

: 176. The final ridge and sea stack of Stac an Dunain which is the most Northwesterly point of Mainland Britian

: 177. The cohort of hikers finishing on the 26th May 2024. Stuart from Whitburn is taking the photo. Then from left is a photo bomber with a postcard, Mark, the 74 year old Yves, Myself, Petr the Czech, Jo and Adrian

: 178. About to cross the Kyle of Durness on a small ferry back to civilization again. The low tide has exposed the vast sands here. The idyllic cottages at Dall are out of sight in a small bay on the left

: West Scotland Trail Section 4

Section 03. Torridon and Fisherfield

: 088. Looking west back down to Loch Duich and Kintail from the start of the climb up to Falls of Glomach

: 089. A most splendid beech tree in full vibrant spring grandeur in the last of the forest before the climb up to the Falls of Glomach starts in ernest

: 090. Looking back down the wild valley on the climb up to Bealach na Sroine pass before the short descent to the top of Falls of Glomach.

: 091. The Falls of Glomach. This usually thunderous spectacle was greatly diminished by the drought-like spring conditions

: 092. Looking back up to the Falls of Glomach and the gorge below it from half way down the descent to Glen Elchaig.

: 093. Looking up Glen Elchaig past the lovely Lochan na Lietreach to Carnach Lodge and Iron Lodge at the end of the valley

: 094. Looking down to Iron Lodge and Glen Elchaig in the early morning on the climb up the pass over to Maol Bhuidhe Bothy

: 095. Looking south from the east ridge of Ben Dronaig to Loch Croushie with Maol Bhuidhe Bothy beyond it beside the small copse

: 096. Looking across Loch Calavie from the beach at the east end. The peach coloured sands is from granite in the surrounding mountains.

: 097. Leaving Ben Dronaig bothy in the morning with my new pals en route over the hills on the path to Strathcarron

: 098. Looking east from the path over the hills to Strathcarron towards Ben Dronaig Bothy beside the copse of trees in the distance

: 099. On the path over to Stathcarron with the mountains of Torridon in the distance to the north

: 100. Coming down to Strathcarron with the tide in at the head of Loch Carron. The white building in the distance is the old church.

: 101. Walking along the north side of the Carron River near New Kelso between Strathcarron and Coulags

: 102. Coire Fionnariach Bothy is some 4 km north of Coulags and is in the heart of the mountains between Glen Carron and Glen Torridon

: 103. Loch Corie Fionnariach in the early morning. My route went up the valley headwall in the centre of the picture from left rising to to pass on the right.

: 104. Looking up at the NE face of Maol Chean dearg from the climb up the headwall of Corie Fionnariach between Glens Carron and Torridon

: 105. On the descent from the pass down into Glen Torridon you can see Loch Torridon and the bare landscape around the hamlet of Diabeg

: 106. The south face of the iconic Liathach with the Farsarinen Pinnacles making up the most jagged part of the ridge.

: 107. The north side of Liathach and in particular its peak Mullach an Rathain, 1023m, the highest at the peak at the west end of Liathach

: 108. My tent in Corie Mhic Fhearchair with the Triple Buttress in the middle of the photo partly obscured by the heavy rain.

: 109. Heading down from Coire Mhic Fhearchair with the sublime waterfall to start the very rough pathless traverse along the base of the north side of Beinn Eighe, 1010m.

: 110. The lost valley on the north side of Beinn Eighe with the small river meandering across the small plain with sandy beaches and crystal clear water.

: 111. Heading down to the green fields and the fleshpots of Kinlochewe with the rain finally ceased.

: 112. The mountain of Slioch, 981m, (left) dominates the eastern side of loch Maree. I hope to go up the narrow valley, Glean Bianasdail, to the south of it in the centre to reach Loch Fada in Fisherfield tomorrow

: 113. There was a lot of birdsong in the regenerating pinewoods to the NW of Kinlochewe. I saw many chaffinches here. This one was eating insects on a willow.

: 114. Crossing the Kinlochewe River on the bridge overvtobthe start of the Slioch path.

: 115. Looking at the delta where the Kinlochewe River enters Loch Maree

: 116. The venerable old pine tree growing on the side of the gorge in Gleann Bianasdail.

: 117. Looking west down Loch Fada from the beach at the east end. Left are the Letterewe Mountains and Fisherfield to the right

: 118. On the climb up to Bealach nan Croise and looking back to Loch Fada and Slioch mountain beyond it.

: 119. The first views of An Teallach mountain with Loch an Nid in the foreground.

: 120. The delightful ancient Alder woods at Achneigie beside the river with An Tealkach in the background.

: 121. Looking down on Achneigie Woods from the track over to CorrieHallie on the A832. In the background is Beinn Chlaidheimh, 913m, which misses out on Munro status by half a metre.

: 122. Coire Loch Toll an Lochan, the southerly of the two west cories of An Teallach.

: 123. Coire A’Ghlas Thuill, the northerly of the two west cories of An Teallach.

: 124. From the top on the Coffin Road between Dundonnell and Inverbroom looking down onto the fields around the head of Loch Broom

: 125. Looking up the valley floor of Inverbroom towards Inverlael with the verdant fields spread across the valley

: 126. Looking across the fields of Inverbroom with grazing Texel sheep. The white buildings are the sheds of Inverbroom Lodge which is hidden in the trees

: 127. Looking south up the Inverbroom River with lush vegetation on the side. In the distance is one of the Fannich mountains

: 415. Many of the homesteads north of Sandwe were built of logs driven into the ground and were under a thatched roof.

: West Scotland Trail Section 3

Section 02. Ardgour, Knoydart and Kintail

: 045. Looking downstream from the bridge over the River Scaddle with Ben Nevis in the distance

: 046. One of the Canadian Pakrafters at the base of one of the nine huge Sequoia trees at the bottom of Cona Glen.

: 047. The lovely mature native oak woods at the bottom of Cona Glen beside the river on the left.

: 048. Above the oakwoods Cona Glen opened up into pasture where I had previously seen herds of Highland Cattle.

: 049. Looking across the crystal clear Cona River to the south side where there was a remnant of the old Caledonian Pine Forest across the hillside

: 050. As I sat on the steps of Corrlarach bothy in Cona Glen a chaffinch landed on the grass in front of me.

: 051. My campsite in Cona Glen with the remnants of the Caledonian Pine forest across the river

: 052. Heading up Cona Glen in the morning with the rugged Ardgour mountains above the last stand of pines

: 053. Looking south from the pass to the mountains of Ardgour before the descent to Glenfinnan

: 054. About to enter Glenfinnan with the mountains between it and Loch Arkaig to the north. On the left is Streap and on the right the massive Gulvain.

: 055. Looking downstream from the footbridge over the River Callop as it enters Loch Shiel

: 056. The Glenfinnan Monument is 18 metres high and topped by a typical Highland who enrolled and fought for Bonnie Prince Charlie in the 1745 rebellion.

: 057. The church at Glenfinnan is set with a magnificent backdrop of the mountains on each side of Loch Shiel behind it

: 058. Looking down across the north end of Loch Shiel from the Viaduct Trail between the station and the viaduct

: 059. The viaduct at Glenfinnan made famous by the Harry Potter films has put the Glenfinnan Memorial into the shadows

: 060. The “Hogwarts Express” crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct at 1045 in the morning. It stopped here to allow 1000 spectators to view and photograph it.

: 061. Looking north east down Gleann a’Chaorulinn valley towards Glen Pean after the pass.

: 062. Looking upstream from the old bridge over the River Pean on the approach to A’Chuil bothy.

: 063. The walk along the forestry track heading west up Glen Dessarry towards A’Chuil bothy

: 064. Leaving A’Chuil Bothy tucked away at the bottom of the forest to head further west up Glen Dessarry into Knoydart

: 065. One of the many glades in the forest in Glen Dessarry as I head west towards Sourlies Bothy in Knoydart

: 066. Looking up the slopes of Garbh Chioch Mhor, one of the more easterly Munros in the Rough Bounds of Knoydart

: 067. Looking east up from the end of the slightly lower twin Lochan a’Mhain lochs just to the west of the pass down to Sourlies Bothy.

: 068. The final few kilometres down Glen Finiskaig to Loch Nevis with Sourlies Bothy on the right hand side of the exposed sands.

: 069. Outside Sourlies Bothy which has spaces for about 6 people to sleep inside so most camp outside.

: 070. The exposed sands at the head of Loch Nevis by Sourlies Bothy. When it is like this it allows you to walk round the headland to reach theCarnach River.

: 071. Walking up the Carnach River towards the huge looming spectre of Ben Aden.

: 072. In the deciduous woods of birch, hazel, oak and holly the ground was covered in bluebells and primroses.

: 073. The wall at the bottom of the west ridge if Ben Aden where it drops into the upper River Carnach where there is a sandy beach

: 074. Looking east from the pass between Sourlies and Barrisdale bothies to the small Lochan nan Breac and Loch Quoich just visible in the distance.

: 075. Coming down from the pass towards Barrisdale Bothy with the sea loch of Loch Hourn

: 076. Looking across the exposed sands of Barrisdale Bay on Loch Hourn to the hugely impressive massif of Ladhar Bheinn, 1020m, the Queen of knoydart.

: 077. Looking west down Loch Hourn from the first climb on the track and path to Kinlochhourn

: 078. A last look at Ladhar Bhienn before she dissappears from view on the track to Kinlochhourn

: 079. The narrows on Loch Hourn at Caolas Mor where I saw the otter swimming at the edge of the current caused by the ebbing tide

: 080. The last 2 kilometres to Kinlochhourn go on an old rustic cart track between the abandoned hamlet of Skiary and Kinlochhourn

: 081. Looking down Loch Hourn from the track heading north from Kinlochhourn to Allt A’Choire Reidh where I camped

: 082. My Macpac Minaret tent on the grassy bank of the Allt a’Choire Reidh burn between Kinlochhourn and Shiel Bridge

: 083. My trusty old Pod rucksack on the climb up to the Bealach Choire Mhalagain with The Saddle and the Forcan Ridge just showing left of centre

: 084. Looking north from the Bealach Coire Mhalagain near the bottom of the Forcan Ridge to the Five Sisters of Kintail across the Glen Shiel Valley

: 085. Looking back up to The Saddle from the meeting of the 3 waters on its North side in Gleann Undarlain near Shiel Bridge

: 086. Heading down the increasingly deciduous Gleann Unndalain towards Shiel Bridge.

: 087. The moored boat on the southern tip of Loch Alsh by the Kintail Lodge Hotel signalled the end of the day.

: West Scotland Trail Section 2

Section 01. Argyll

: 001. The start of the “West Scotland Trail” is Toward Lighthouse seen here. Beside it looking like a chapel is the fog horn.

: 002. Looking across to the Isle of Bute from the beaches near Toward Castle

: 003. Looking onto the leafy Ardyne burn from the old stone bridge over it.

: 004. Knockdow House lies in a prime position beside 2 tranquil ponds and beside the Ardyne Burn.

: 005. Looking up Loch Striven from the high forest balcony track before the descent to the hamlet of Inverchaolain.

: 006. The small church at Inverchaolain have a long and interesting history

: 007. My first camp at Inverchaolain hamlet was beside the burn near its tidal estuary.

: 008. Looking down the greening Glen Chaolain with Loch Striven in the distance

: 009. Looking back to the saddle with the “coffin road” over to Glen Chaolain with the craggy Black Craig, 522m, to the left

: 010. One of the lovely Victorian villas in the Invereck valley

: 011. The avenue of nearly 50 giant redwood trees in the Benmore Botanical Gardens.

: 012. Looking north up Loch Eck from the southern end. It is about 10 km long.

: 013. The tranquil track through the mature forest from Bernice to the north end of Loch Eck

: 014. My beautiful second campsite on the bank of the Shellish Burn in the early morning as the frost clears

: 015. The climb up the east side of Beinn Lagan through the mature conifers took me to a saddle where I turned east

: 016. My lunch stop on the path to the north of the peaceful lo Curra Lochain with the craggy Bienn Bheula, 779m, rising beyond

: 017. Looking down Loch Goil, an arm of Loch Long, from near Lochgoilhead on a sunny afternoon

: 018. The beach at Lochgoilhead in the early morning with the tide out

: 019. Looking across Loch Fyne from the highpoint of the B839 road

: 020. The imposing Ardkinglas house on the shores of Loch Fyne near Cairndow.

: 021. The Octagonal church and its tower at Cairndow.

: 022. A Deer farm on the valley floor just up Glen Fyne from the brewery

: 023. This part of Loch Fyne near the restored shepherd’s house was being rewilded but keep the sheep and deer out to allow trees to grow

: 024. A sea eagle soaring above my campsite in upper Glen Fyne

: 025. Looking south from to shallow pass between Glen Fyne and Stath Orchy. The mountain is the munro of Bienn Bhuidhe

: 026. Looking NW from the shallow pass between Glen Fyne and Strath Orchy to Ben Cruachan mountain and Loch Awe

: 027. The octagonal church and tower at Dalmally is similar to the one at Cairndow.

: 028. Looking downstream from the old bridge over the large River Orchy at Dalmally. The Orchy Bank Guesthouse is on the right

: 029. A new born lamb in one on the many fields with lambs below Dalmally

: 030. 0ne of the crystal clear side streams flowing down the mountains and into the River Strae

: 031. One of the wet Highland Cattle in the well managed farm in Glen Strae

: 032. Looking up across the wide fertile flood plain of Gen Strae with the river meandering across it.

: 033. Looking down Glen Kinglass from the saddle be Glen Kinglass and Glen Strae as the rain fell

: 034. I camped beside the Loch Dochard and then went up the valley in the middle to cross a pass to reach Glen Etive

: 035. The craggy Meall nan Eun formed the west side of the pass between Loch Dochard and Glen Etive

: 036. Coming down the steeper slopes of wet moorland and rock slabs to reach Glen Etive.

: 037. In Glen Etive looking beyond a herd of Highland Cattle with the sharp Buachaille Etive Beag in the distance

: 038. Looking up the River Etive from the bridge with Buachialle Etive Beag in the left distance

: 039. Climbing up the nothside of Glen Etive and looking back to the huge bulk of Ben Starav on the south side of Loch Etive Head

: 040. Crossing the upper River Creran in the alderwoods each on each bank

: 041. Coming down to Ballachulish with Loch Leven beyond.

: 042. Looking up Loch Leven from Ballachulish bridge. Bidean nam Ban is on the right and the Pap of Glencoe on the left.

: 043. Looking west from the pebble beach at North Ballachulish across Loch Linnhe to rugged Ardgour

: 044. My greeting in Ardgour from a confident ram after crossing the Corran Ferry.

: West Scotland Trail Section 1