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.

Stunning evening

The trauma of snows of Saturday is behind me now. A glorious day here in the glen again. Spent the morning on a fast rib ride round Loch Leven and Loch Linnhe. (Hopefully more on that tomorrow). And most of the afternoon with Glencoe Mountain Rescue looking for a 'lost' person on the West Highland Way.


Too late then to follow the original plan of a 'half' ben (nevis) and so opted for another trip up the Pap of Glencoe. 51 mins up this time. And another stunning view from the top.

Evening on the Pap of Glencoe

So after 25 years in Glencoe (see entry below), doesn't it get a bit boring? The standard answer is that you've certainly got to want to be here, and it won't suit everyone. But here's a quick reason why it suits me.

Last night after a long day in the office I decided to go and have a wander round the garden. Spring being the time of year when you get into your garden again. Thing is, my back garden extends all the way up the Pap of Glencoe.

Despite having had a fairly lethargic start to the year, with far too many pies and far too few training sessions, I was quite pleased to be still able to get to the top in 51 minutes from the door. Mind you, there's still a whole lot of training to squeeze in before the Ben Nevis Race comes around again in September. From the summit, the sun and cloud over Loch Linnhe was working well, so it was worth taking 10 minutes to soak it all in before heading back down. 20 minutes later and back in the house once more.

Beats Eastenders any day!