Sock Adventures: Glen Affric

Where would be the first place I would explore on my first overnight in the Highlands? Why a forest, of course. Actually I think that is a bit ironic. I come from a place of amazing forests. Yet no disappointment in Glen Affric with munros on the horizon, Scots pine and birch, waterfalls, and a surprise.


After zipping around the Dumfries area (prior post) in my hired car, I headed north for two days in the tiny, shiny, practically new Fiat 500. It is now safely returned to the car hire place. The poor soul who gets to clean it will be kept busy. With an amazing forecast, my intention was to find a good place to walk not easily accessible by train and with views of snow covered munros. I have never been in the Highlands at this time of year. Wow. The snow just seems to accent the drama of the hills and glens. I was so distracted on my drive up by the beauty that I spent the first day primarily in the car.  I arrived at Glen Affric, which is just west of Loch Ness, near sunset and returned the following day to do a wee walk before heading back home.

Driving up into the Highlands, you wind your way through glens with villages tucked in along lochs.  One of my favourite sections is Rannoch Moor...wide open space, hills in the distance, the texture of the land.

This is heading into Glen Coe...

Even without heading off the main route, I came across many snow covered hills.  I definitely think winter is a wonderful time to see the Highlands, weather permitting!

As I made my way to a B&B for the night (sadly, my tent is currently in storage) at Fort Augustus, I enjoyed the sunset along Loch Ness.

I start my new job in about two weeks but I started to rethink my profession when I saw this crew.  It might be hard to see in the photo. They are rappelling down the rock, clearing it of debris that could fall onto the road. I suspect I wouldn't last a day. I'll stick to my job.

Glen Affric is quite a special place.  In the 1950s, the Forestry Commission bought much of the estate and protected the remnants of the native pine forests. Since then, the area has been actively conserved to allow the forest to regenerate. I wish I could make this blog entry a scratch and sniff.  The smells in the forest are lovely. What a peaceful, beautiful place.

Morning mist along the River Affric...

The Fiat and I heading into the forest in the morning frost...

Loch Affric in the distance...my photos neglect to show that there are quite a few peaks surrounding the loch.

As I walked one of the trails, I came across a wonderful surprise...

There were four stags in total.  These two kept a watchful eye on me.  I lingered to see if they would get used to me.  They did stop looking at me but would not return to grazing.  So I moved on.

This glen will change dramatically through the seasons.  I have already noted the next walk I would like to do within the glen:)  A pair of snowflake adorned socks to keep my toes warm through the frosty morning accompanied me on this trip!