Weekend Escape to a Bothy

The weather forecast for this last weekend was a bit rough and it did not disappoint for some areas of the country. High winds. Cold temperatures. Snow. Hello Spring. My destination was Glenfinnan to meet up with a friend, walk, and stay overnight in a bothy (my first one!).

The first part of my journey was a repeat of the prior weekend to Rannoch. Glasgow Queen Street Saturday morning to take the West Highland Line north, past Rannoch and on to Glenfinnan. The difference in the journey was amazing. There was light snow as we left Glasgow. As we headed farther north, the snow deepened and the winds billowed.

At Crianlarich the train splits and just two train cars chug northward onto the moor.

The passengers (and I) reacted to the journey the same as the week before. At first, there is the occasional acknowledgement of a striking peak. Then the cameras are out and people  start taking pictures of the growing number of stunning vistas as the train carves through the landscape. Then there is a particularly amazing sight on one side of the train that causes people to get out of their seats and stand in the aisle. The train has a party atmosphere as passengers chatter away. And then the moor. People quieten a bit in awe of the environment.

In contrast to the golden colors of last week, the moor was a ghostly canvas of white with shadows of hills, snow devils, and wind whipping across the land.

Rannoch Moor (rain drops on the train window)

Upon getting to Fort William, there was far less snow and as the train made its way out towards Mallaig, the sun was peeking around the clouds.

The train crosses this amazing (and now, much recognized) concrete viaduct as it enters Glenfinnan. It took about a year to build, starting in 1897. There are 21 arches stretching in an arc with Loch Shiel on one side and Glen Finnan on the other.

My fears of -6C were put to rest quickly as it was closer to 6C. From the station, I walked down the road, under the viaduct, and into Glen Finnan to the Corryhully Bothy. It is a short walk on a paved road. Here are the views along the way...

It is incredible to be in a place that has a tradition of unhindered access to open countryside. Even more amazing are places like the Corryhully Bothy. It is part of a 9,000 acre Scottish estate owned by the Leith family and looked after by an Estate Manager. The bothy is maintained by the estate and open for anyone to use. It is positioned next to a stream and stocked with wood, two fireplaces, and sleeping platforms. For a bothy, it is quite fancy...electricity to power a kettle, a few lights, and a heater. Yet still full of character and a lovely place to stay. That's me at the bottom right of the next photo.

Corryhully Bothy

Corryhully Bothy

Half of the interior

 I nipped out for a wee walk after getting settled in the bothy. There was a touch of wind.

I still managed to spot beautiful sights in the midst of the wind gusts.

Staying in the bothy was a real treat. Spending the evening by the fire with a good friend was even more of one. 

In the morning the estate manager popped in, friendly guy. We then went to a glen just to the east, Gleann Fionnlighe, before heading home. Another beauty of a day.

Ice on the trail

This would make a devil of a jigsaw puzzle (can you spot the deer?)

The light changed often throughout the day as the clouds were still moving through fairly quickly. A few snowflakes along with some sun.

On the drive home, I have never been so intimidated by hills as I was in Glencoe. I have been through there many times but the combination of snow and clouds made me shrink into the seat. I think that image will stay with me forever. A more sinister reminder to respect nature.