Highlands and Islands of West Scotland. (Jul 21)

Hiking, biking, kayaking and camping in the Highlands and Islands of west Scotland. No Emma this trip 😞 just me.
I had to pinch myself at times to remind myself that this is only a car journey away and not a long haul flight to some exotic place on the other side of the world. The scenery just took my breath away at times!

It started with an amazing sun set at Loch Lomond after the drive up here. The next day, and after spending most of the day kayaking on ridiculously calm seas, I pitched my tent just north of Arisaig, on the old winding ‘alternative’ coast road, camping in one of the many enchanting bays that stretch along this line of coast. The region is known for the Silver Sands of Morar, and they really are!

The beaches are stunning, with crystal clear waters and it was here where I saw yet another dazzling display of colour watching the sun set over the Isles of Rum and Eigg. I drank (too much) wine, bashed on the guitar and sang songs well into the night with my two new best buddies, a beautiful rescued American Bull Terrier and his Glaswegian owner David (pitched next to me).

The next day I took the short ferry ride to the Isle of Syke from Mallaig, spending hours walking along old coral beaches and down coastal paths of the far north west tip of the island.

Another day, when hill walking in Glencoe, and with temperatures well in the mid twenties, I swam in deep pools created by the waterfalls over millennia and enjoyed a bit of low level cliff jumping too (after checking out the landing area of course)! Yesterday I spotted a seal chasing fish just below me and was lucky and managed to capture him on a photo when he came up for air. I was there to experience the magical sunrise at Eilean Donan castle; there was no one else about at this early hour, so a real bonus. My final night took me to the Three Loch Forest Trail where I booked a pitch alongside a secluded loch via the Trossachs managed camping website (£3). Another super sunset and a roaring campfire to keep the midges at bay.

The route home took me to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, where the tide was out, so I drove across and took a rest from the journey. Then off to Leeds to visit Toby (one of Emma’s triplets) and Kira in their plush city centre flat, a beautifully converted warehouse right in the heart of the city. Finally a stop over at Sarah and Alex’s place in Aylesbury where we were joined for an evening meal by Lauren – who broke away from her camping trip in the Chilterns with Andy and some of their pals to come join us for a celebratory birthday meal for Sarah. So all in all, an amazing few days to remember.