Location, location location

Love it or hate it, the scenery is fantastic and I never tire of it.

 

I'll need to upload all my pix @Sheal -they're on the other, old, laptop. It's a very small world isn't it?
It's around 4 to 5 hours drive for me. Nice that you go back every year, and a short journey for you. I still remember the very long drive when we were youngsters [family home is only ten mins from my current home] - which seemed like days back then! Unfortunately, my sister has all my parents' photos, but I fondly remember the ones in which we were all scowling if my sister took them because she was so slow. That probably felt like another 4 or 5 hours
Ardmair Bay has changed a lot since we went there - it was 5 caravans and a tiny little toilet a couple of hundred yards away. Gas lamps in the caravan. We used to go out in the rowing boat with Dad, and of course - as it's not a sandy beach, we indulged in a lot of stone skimming. Happy days. I'm looking at a photo I bought of the view from the hill across the other side of the road there as I type this.
The final bend as you approach Ardmair will stay with me forever, because of what my Mum said. I cried when I went back with their ashes - about 12 years ago now,as I recalled her exclamation.

I still haven't managed any of the Munros there @Punkdoc - nearest is probably when I got to Assynt and did Stac Pol. I'll have to see if the knees will ever recover well enough to get a trip up there again.

 

Wonderful little hill, @fairygirl

 

A wee stoater @Punkdoc

Magnificent isn't it @Sheal? Your comment about midges reminded me of being parked up when about to do Bidean nam Bian [Glencoe] and watching a woman making sandwiches or something, beside their campervan. Full midge protection gear on. I just couldn't understand why she didn't do it inside instead....

 

It is. I can almost feel the history when I visit Glencoe. I love history and read a lot, especially Scottish history. I live within reach of Culloden another place that brings the past to mind.

 

Indeed. I think a lot of people find Glencoe very oppressive, and it's certainly that at times, but it's also stunning, dominating, uplifting and terrifying - in equal measure!

 

Do you ever get back up here @Fat Controller ?

You could always do a wee bit of bus diverting - and hop on...

 

I didn't get out much last year [hills] @Fat Controller but the year before I had a nice re-visit to the Wee Bookil with a lovely cloud inversion. I always love a drive through Tyndrum and B. of Orchy past Rannoch Moor and through Glencoe.
The weather is so swift at changing through there, but that's what often makes for the best photos. Not so handy when you're on a walk though

 

We used to live in various parts of Scotland and have moved to a village near Portsmouth. No midges and it is great to grow tomatoes outdoors. Visited all the places mentioned above and yes I find Glen Coe very oppressive. If anyone visits Dumfries stay in a hotel as you will be fined if you come in late after 22.00. Yes that was the notice that was shoved in our face at a B&B when we arrived and the owner refused to give us a key. So check out a review site before you book anywhere there.

 

Sorry Fat Controller can not remember but happened three times to us in various stays when doing a small tours of Dumfriesshire from Edinburgh. Both times it was in different large Victorian Houses and once in a bespoke hotel just outside Dumfries. Agree people are friendly and I have a friend who lives there and next time I phone him I must ask him if he is a Doonhamer. Going around Dumfries in a car gets very confusing but not as confusing as the large roundabouts in Hampshire.

 

My photos are all on an expansion thing, which isn't working properly either, but here's
a couple of Glencoe's most famous hill, Stob Dearg - the hill that adorns many a shortbread tin, The Big Bookil [Buachaille Etive Mor] is the whole ridge
August 2009, before doing the ridge



Mid May 2016, from the hill across the road -Beinn a Chrulaiste


I must take a look at the photography threads too, once I've got the hang of it all

 

Love the Buachaille, @fairygirl, it was my first proper winter route.