| Joined: | Thu Apr 19th, 2012 |
| Location: | United Kingdom |
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An amusing Sottish adventure story was when we took our caravan to Kinlochewe in wester Ross back in the early 80s. We planned to climb Slioch which was on the opposite shore of Loch Maree to the campsite. The old guide books said "leave your car at the eastern end of the loch and follow the old mail track along the northern shore to the base of the mountain". Which we faithfully did...a tortuous up and down twisty path of several miles, which was quite exhausting before we even started to climb. (The blokes who delivered mail must have been tough as nails and fit as mountain sheep). I took some nice shots of a Great Northern Diver static on its nest ( it had never seen humans before I surmised, lol). Halfway up Slioch, Jan fell and slid down the mountain gathering tons of mud in her nether regions. After I stopped laughing I was force marched by an angry woman all the way back to car....and back to the campsite for a shower. Next day we repeated the process .....except the falling bit ....and did our spectacular walk/climb.
Exhausted and glowing bright red from the wind and sun, we sat in the local pub that evening ( they didn't need the fire they all sat round our faces) We regaled the people with the story of the tortuous route around the loch end until the landlord calmly in a broad Scottish accent said "Did you no get the Gillie to row you across?" Apparently the Gillie lived in the cottage at the campsite gate and for a few shillings he would row you straight across the Loch to the foot of Slioch. Jan was silent...... till we returned to the caravan later that night.
Local knowlege is wonderful thing...except in hindsight.
Last edited on Wed Aug 3rd, 2016 04:43 by Eric
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Eric