Day 6 (Boxing Day)

Loch Leven 08:15 Boxing Day

We had a tight schedule to complete on Boxing Day. As yet I hadn't had time to go through the Glen Coe Range, so that was priority number one for me at first light. It wasn't strictly in the itinerary, but I had been through the pass once in a rush back in February and wanted to go back. Desperately.

Jim, as the ever suffering photography widow, was also up at  'zero crack sparrow fart' so we could head out and I could try and catch something, (hopefully). Being up pre-dawn at the Invercoe Caravan campsite was amazing and there aren't many places I have seen thus far that will have such great modern facilities as well as that fantastic feeling that you are experiencing one of the most beautiful parts of Scotland. Stepping out of the Campervan to this view and surround by huge peaks behind me was really one of the heights of the trip. It was one of those moments where you think 'Yep, this is why I am doing all this'.

After showers, dog pee duty etc we headed east, pretty much in the opposite direction we were meant to be travelling, but what the heart wants... well you know the rest. I LOVE taking photographs, as most of you know. But more than that, I love seeing things and experiencing them. Often (more often than I care to admit) I just can't get a photo that justifies what I have seen with my own eyes. Sometimes it's better to just enjoy it than stressing so much to try to capture it and this was one of those mornings. I was trying too hard. Trying to anticipate the next great view or the perfect exposure for the given circumstance, where we should stop or what vantage point I had. Basically the landscape was changing every second and I needed to stop and just take it all in. Was I frustrated? YES. Big time. But if I can't show something in it's full glory I won't. I'm not infallible, I can't take the perfect shot every time and if I can't get it right, I won't show it. All I will say is that Glen Coe and my experiences of it have always been nothing but breathtaking. No photo will ever replace that feeing of being there, so I would honestly say if you have the chance to visit - do it.

The roadside waterfall at the Glen Coe Pass

Being with someone for a long time means that you experience a lot of things together. Whilst Jim the 'Grumpy Old Man' as I have painted him often, is perhaps not on the same artistic wavelength as myself, he's certainly an absolute stalwart for understanding why I am out there trying to capture it. If I pull over because I've seen a ray of light, or a(nother) waterfall that I like, he will always be the first one to make the tea and settle the dogs whilst I am out the door with the camera. I can't fault his loyalty. Many of my captures on this trip involve me looking over my shoulder to the poor bloke sat in the camper watching me drag my camera down a gully or up a heather ridden glen to get something I like the look of. This happened on the way back to Ballachulish as I stopped many times to try and capture something or more accurately, everything that I liked.

It certainly adds a feeling of haste when someone is waiting for you to finish and rushing is something I don't like doing so far as photography is concerned! Jim was his usual self after I shuffled back to the van trying to escape the rain that had suddenly appeared, grabbing a tea towel from the side of the sink and desperately trying to dry off my camera and lens. 'Don't use the tea towel!! It's dry!!' - yes hon, the 50p tea towel is my big concern rather than the £4000 soaking wet camera and lens in my hands. That's Jim for ya though!

The early part of the morning was fairly cloudy with misty rain, then as we were making our way back to Glen Coe Village suddenly the clouds broke and an amazing blue sky started to appear and the sun began to shine down on the landscape. It was a fantastic scene, the transformation from the dull grey days and rain that we had experienced so far on the trip to vibrant colours and clear crisp views lifted us both. In retrospect I think we both agree that this was one of the best days of the trip - amazing what a bit of sunshine can do to spirits.

Looking back towards the Invercoe Caravan Park over Loch Leven.

  
Driving through to Fort William and our next stop at Spean Bridge was great. Christmas music was still playing on the radio, if you are ever in that part of the world I would highly recommend Nevis Radio - I'm not sure where they get their songs from but it was hilarious. I had a few stops along the way when things caught my eye. Spean Bridge was one of the only places that Jim put on his definite places to visit list. We have both been before, never on a such a beautiful day however. The Commando Bar and museum was the next stop with Jim enjoying a wee dram whilst I sipped my tea.

The Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge in all it's glory.

Jim at the Commando Bar museum.

We took our time at the memorial and garden, even on a bright day it is a solemn place and there was a steady stream of visitors, mostly foreign tourists, although a few who had come to pay their respects as we had on Boxing Day. We received some sad news at the Commando Bar that one of the owners had passed away suddenly and the staff were understandably very shocked. They were fantastic however, opening the museum for us, serving us and being very helpful even in the awful circumstances.

Midday was approaching and it felt like we had already done a good days sight seeing, but I wanted to get nearer to Mallaig and our Touring Park stop for the evening before sun down. I had only sent an email on Boxing Day in the hope that we could find somewhere with an electric hook up but nevertheless Sunnyside Croft Touring Park had emailed me back welcoming us for the night. We set off along the A830 (the road to the Isles) towards the Glenfinnan Monument and Viaduct which was another place on my 'to visit' list.

Panorama of Glenfinnan

HDR of Glenfinnan Monument

One of the surprising things has been the colours of Scotland, even in the bleak Winter. I was expecting dull brown, but the evergreens and even some of the reds from the autumn were still lingering on. It's a breath taking country at any time of the year.

Sunnyside Croft Touring site toilets from their website

We pulled into the deserted site north of Arisaig Village and had our first welcome from an actual real live person rather than a notice board. The lady was lovely, explaining everything and showing me around the facilities. WOW. I mean WOW, it had just been refurbished and looked like a brand new leisure centre. It was pretty dark when we had finished setting up so I hope they don't mind me sharing some photos from the website - the toilets were immaculate.

The winds were really howling again by now and a few times we were both yanked out of the Motorhome by the door catching the wind, missing the steps completely and wondering if your arm is still in it's socket!

Since they had such a great washing facilities, we decided to start a load of washing, mainly towels etc, our lack of experience began to show again when we assessed our change supply. We had enough money to wash the clothes but were a 'little short' on the drying phase. Not wanting to disturb the owners we had to take our very heavy and wet load back to the van. Certainly a windy night was in store for us all as the van was noticeably rocking and rolling by 9pm and thoughts turned to the early morning ferry to Skye and if it would still be running. Fingers crossed!

Fay x

http://commando.speanbridgehotel.co.uk/
http://www.sunnysidetouringsite.co.uk/