The 2025 edition of David and Susan’s Scottish winter walking weeks began at our pleasant house (and hot tub!) in Banavie, near the western end of the Caledonian Canal.
Sunday saw a cloudy start with snow still on the hills at higher levels. We headed for Stob Ban from Glen Nevis but were beaten in the last 100 m of ascent by the wind and snow. Though this was disappointing, we were still treated to some great views and had the hot tub to cheer us up on return. Dinner was David Wh.’s signature roast venison haunch with all the trimmings!
Monday was a better day and we made it to the top of Sgurr Choinnich Mor, which afforded some great views. Hot tub and then salmon and sweet potato traybake for dinner.
As forecast, the weather was windy and rainy on Tuesday. So, we had a rest day, starting with breakfast of bacon and brioche rolls following which Patrick went back to bed. Patricia, Karen, David Wh. and Phinella walked along the Caledonian Canal towpath, stopping off at the Moorings café for a coffee and continuing to a derelict yacht beached on the loch-side. David and Susan went shopping in Fort William for food and some kit for Jo-Lorraine. For supper we had a chicken traybake with vegetables and cheese and biscuits to follow. As it was Shrove Tuesday we had pancakes too!
The forecast for Wednesday was also poor and the day started off gloomy and rainy. But Patrick, Karen and Phinella decided to attempt the remote Corbett Stob a Bhealach an Sgriodain south of Glenfinnan. When we got out of the car Phinella realised with annoyance that she had left her walking poles behind. A good path heading gently up the glen became increasingly boggy the further we went. By the time we reached the final pass it was very squelchy and we largely picked our own route on the descent to the Cona River crossing before the ascent of the hill itself. Visibility was limited and as we approached the ridge the wind picked up and Phinella had to borrow one of Patrick’s poles. Thanks to Karen’s expert navigation and the OS download we found the summit without difficulty, stopped for an instant without even taking a photo and retreated. The return walk was uneventful but quite arduous due to the weather.
The rest of the group sensibly didn’t go for any long walks. David and Susan gave Jo-Lorraine a lift to Fort William. Patricia drove to the Glen Coe visitor centre. David Wh.’s board games were played and then people headed for the hot tub. The meal that night was haggis/veggie haggis shepherd’s pie.
Thursday was another indifferent weather day. After breakfasting on brioche rolls with sausages all of us except Patrick headed to the Roybridge area and climbed an easy Fiona (ex Graham), Creag Dhubh, involving a steady grassy ascent. It was quite windy on top and just the right walk for the conditions. Some of us explored the graveyard round an old church near the parking area. A memorial commemorated Ian Lom, the Bard of Keppoch, a famous century Gaelic poet buried there.
Friday being both the last walking day and the best weather day we all went out. David and Susan, David Wh. and Patricia drove to Fort William and got the first gondola up to Aonach Beag and Aonach Mor, where a lot of the snow had melted and excellent views were to be had over the Nevis range. After summitting they retraced their steps and had a coffee at the Snowgoose Cafe before descending in the gondola and returning to the house.
Patrick, Karen, and Phinella drove to Kinlochleven and then climbed the well-engineered path to the Munro top Sgor Eilde Beag and walked along the ridge to the Munro Binnein Mor through some patches of remaining snow. The clear sky made for magnificent views. We retraced our steps to head round the ridge to Na Gruagachean (the grumbling one) with its rocky summit. Initially the descent followed a clear line but later turned into an undifferentiated steep grassy slope which we picked our way down to the woods above Kinlochleven.
A final meal at the Moorings followed by prosecco at the house concluded another great Scottish week. Many thanks to David and Susan for organising it and to everyone on the week for ensuring it was such a success despite the predictably mixed weather.
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