A Ben is a mountain

No rest for the wicked the past couple of days. Another early start to get on the road down to Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK. The Scots really do have their own language…Ben, Munro, Craig, Loch, Glen etc…

We took the scenic route along Loch Ness and subsequently discovered that yes, roads can get as narrow as one lane despite having two way traffic! A few hairy experiences passing locals driving very quickly and we found our way to a viewing point, we didn’t linger too long despite the lovely view because we were attacked by loads of flies! Onto the Falls of Foyers for a more enjoyable break from the car and a good view of the waterfalls before moving on down to Fort William and the Ben Nevis Visitor’s Centre.

This hike was estimated to take up to 7 hours return but there was no mileage given to guide us so off we went hoping that the weather wouldn’t pack in on us. We were amongst some pretty well equipped hikers and also families with children so it was an interesting bunch of us

on the track and still no real clue to the difficulty…

We got a bit of relief walking past a wee loch at the summit of one mountain, only to find we were turning the corner and heading up another steep slope which we couldn’t see the top of as it was in the clouds. By the time we reached the top of this rocky track we were well and truly in the clouds. Cold, hungry and feeling like we were on the moon we had made it up in around 3 hours. Quick snack and then a snap to prove we’d made it up and we got chatting to an Australian couple. Whilst we were comparing notes on UK walks (they’d done a lot and we had done hardly any haha!) the clouds magically lifted for 10 minutes so that we could see a magnificent view down the valleys surrounding the mountain. We said our goodbyes and off we went back down the rocky path as the mist descended behind us. A two hour descent and we were glad to find ourselves in the sun and able to make a salad sanga at the bottom as it wasn’t windy anymore!

As we got into the car to head off to our next destination Michael asked me to get something out of the top pocket of his bag (suitably vague but I did as I was told)… the only thing in the pocket was a ring box… and in the most romantic of places (and outfits!) we got engaged!

After two days I finally gave in and we put on a Hauraki podcast for the journey to Elaine and Bobby’s place in Blair Atholl, where we had the full welcome and celebrations before heading to bed for a well deserved rest.