For the Love of Glencoe

Last week Jo Tinsley, the Outdoors Editor of Countryfile Magazine and friends spent a few days staying at Glencoe Independent Hostel during a winter mountaineering holiday. They spent their time enjoying some of the things to do and see in the area in winter, unfortunately they missed the low level snow but there was enough on the hills to make up for that.

Wintry Conditions in Glencoe - Jo Tinsley

As a big fan of the area and the Clachaig itself, she has visited several times and has even mentioned the Clachaig in her route card for the Lost Valley in the magazine two years ago, also available online here.

Steall Falls - Martyn Cooper

This trip included taking part in a two day Winter Skills course through The Ice Factor, digging snow holes and learning how to stop yourself sliding by using an ice axe; self arresting for those in the know.

Steall Bridge - Martyn Cooper

As well as some more relaxed site seeing and walking, including a road trip to Mallaig via the Glenfinnan monument and the freezing but stunning Silver Sands of Morar. Followed the next day by a walk up Glen Nevis to the beautiful Steall falls (no longer frozen, for the ice climbers among you.) and the Wire Bridge, at which I was the only one of the group to lose my nerve in the high winds and fail to cross.

Silver Sands at Morar - Jo Tinsley

Of course, the visit wouldn't be have been complete without seeing our live band on the Saturday night, Black Eyed Biddy, and sampling the beers and whiskies we had to offer. Favourites were the Old Pulteney and Dalluaine whiskies and Cairngorm Brewery's Nessie's Monster Mash. Hopefully we'll see a little more of the area featured in the magazine in the coming months.

Martyn (Guest Blogger - and big jessie when it comes to wire bridges)