We stayed overnight just south of Fort William. In a pub, conveniently enough ( Read more... )

My brother was in Scotland over his birthday, and, lacking ideas for a suitable present, I was prompted to steal one from Michael Portillo after watching the rerun of a rerun of a rerun of his travels through Britain by train. I booked two tickets on the Jacobite. Actually, since my brother had never travelled first class on a train, I booked first ( Read more... )

I think I have just been in the most depressing bar I have ever been in. Still, the food was good ( Read more... )

I am in the north ( Read more... )

I am going away ( Read more... )

Climbing Ben Vorlich in mid December meant a short day but lots of ice. The path was treacherous (though easily avoidable), the ground rimed and the burns, though free-flowing, had iced their edges.

It was very beautiful.


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Ben A'an and Loch Katrine.


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I really liked the latest James Bond movie, Skyfall. I thought it was intelligent, modern, and at the same time retro. I loved the references to previous Bonds movies - the car, Moneypenny. I thought Daniel Craig was great, Judy Dench really earned her pay, and Javier Bardem made an excellent, scary villain. And so on.

But...

( Here be ***spoilers***. If you want to keep your suspension of disbelief, don't read this. )

Islay is a special place. It is an island - so you have to really want to be there: it takes some planning and effort to actually make the trip. It is famous for its whisky - it now has eight distilleries, producing a wide range of spirits - and its bird life. And for one weekend each year, it is home to a jazz festival ( Read more... )

After my long day’s walk, I took a rest day. I had intended to spend the afternoon in Royal Lochnagar distillery, or perhaps a bar, but instead I went off hunting stone circles ( Read more... )