Great day for hill running

Back to work at Clachaig today as we ease ourselves out of the all-too-short Christmas shut down. And its been busy too, with plenty of people arriving in the glen that was oh so quiet for just a few days.

Before the daily grin started all over again, there was just time to sneak in a quick hill run. After all, its fine hill running weather!

Heading up the forest road above the Glencoe NTS Visitor Centre

Just about everywhere is still covered in snow making the going fairly easy underfoot. However, some paths, especially where the snow cover is thin, are covered in thick and lethal water ice. The lower section of the path up the Pap of Glencoe is one such path. Careful route planning was required, and the ideal choice seemed to be the seldom visited top of Meall Mor.

Breaking off from the track near the bealach, in search of the edge of the forest and the open hill

The new forest road above the NTS Visitor Centre means that its now much easier to run up towards the bealach. By next year it looks like it'll be on the top, but for now the last section is still on the old track and then its a case of breaking through the forest before hitting the open hill.

Above the forest, Callart hills beyond, heading for the top in deep snow

In just a little over an hour from the car we were at the top, which wasn't bad going given the depth of some of the snow. A cracking wee run!

With the cold weather forecast to last for at least another week, chances are the glen is going to get quite busy in the next few days. Reports from Nevis Range are of good skiing and plenty of sledging. Glencoe Mountain is due to open for the first time tomorrow. Hope to see a fair few of you at the Clachaig Hogmanay Hoolie!

MayFest Under Way

Our May Beer Festival got under way at the weekend. Not surprisingly the Whit weekend has proved to be an extremely busy time here in Glencoe, and judging by the number of cars on the road its not just Glencoe that's busy.

It all seems to have passed off without incident, and again the staff at Clachaig been working away like bees in a hive, on their mission to keep everyone happy. The festival has again been well received. We're actively soliciting some feedback on 'ale of festival' and at the moment it looks like a close run thing between the Clachaig ale of choice, Fraoch Heather Ale, and Big Lusty May from Houston Brewery (maybe its the badge the blokes like). However, with a cellar full yet to explore, its a bit early to call it.


We can usually rely on Whit week to bring a bit of good weather. We're still waiting. Amidst the chaos of it all I again decided to take a quick jog up the Pap of Glencoe last night. I know, the view isn't as clear as the last couple of trips up there. (Compare with Stunning Evening & Evening on the Pap.) Not that it matters really. Ipod on, a bit of eclectic high energy and it has to be said fairly gay dance music matched by a bit of extremely loud AC/DC and before you know it you're on the top! Can't recommend the path, though. 3 minutes longer and a complete swamp.

Didn't manage the Pap last week. On Monday afternoon, the Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team were called out to the very summit of Bidean nam Bian, the highest peak in Argyll, to go to the aid of a walker who had managed to get all the way up there, but couldn't find a way down again. I think this counts as my highest ever rescue in the glen! You'd have to be standing on the summit cairn to get higher.

Its been a busy spell for the team as well, quite possibly one of the busiest on record with call outs for May now in double digits.

The forecast for the weekend looks like we're in for some warmer weather again. Fingers' crossed.