The Highlands in March - Part 3
From Fort William to Glasgow
Day 7
This morning the sun has returned to Loch Linnhe. The snow has melted slightly on the higher ground. The day promises to be milder.
We skirt along Loch Linnhe until we reach Stalker Castle, which stands on an island in Loch Laich. Founded by Clan MacDougall in 1350, who lost it to Clan Stewart following a power struggle, it was razed and rebuilt into a larger, more massive castle around 1440, which is the one visible today. It has been a filming location for major cinema classics.
On the way back, we pass Kilchurn Castle again, shrouded in thick fog. We take a few photos in this ghostly atmosphere, much to the indifference of the Highland cows and sheep.
We take to the road again for our last night in Fort William, passing through the mountains of Glencoe. The snow now only whitens the peaks. It is 6 pm and despite the low light, we are lucky enough to be able to observe numerous herds of wild deer on both sides of the road.
Day 8
A long drive due south leads us to Duntrune Castle. The sky is overcast, it is raining intermittently and the wind has made a reappearance... We are getting used to it... we are even getting a taste for it!
Duntrune Castle, with its entrance adorned by two deer on stone pillars, is a castle on the north shore of Loch Crinan. Built in the 13th century by Clan MacDougall, it is one of the oldest continuously inhabited castles in Scotland.
In the 17th century, the castle was besieged by Clan MacDonald. Legend has it that a bagpiper was sent as a scout to spy on the castle's defences. Realising that the attack would be doomed to failure and that the MacDonald army would be defeated, he played a tune on the bagpipes to warn his clan of the danger. He was captured and executed. His ghost is said to still haunt the castle, playing the bagpipes on misty nights.
On the road leading us to Balloch, our destination for our last two nights in Scotland, we make a stop at the little Butter Bridge, overlooked by snow-capped mountains.
Day 9
This morning we head towards the gorge named The Devil's Pulpit. The cliffs bordering the gorge are steep and deep, and the path down is unsecured and particularly dangerous in wet weather, which made me give up the idea. Moreover, I met into a Scottish couple walking their dog who confirmed that there are regularly serious accidents at this site...
The day and our journey come to an end at the Loup of Fintry waterfall, our last spot before catching our flight in Glasgow to return to France.
We will have done over 106 km of mountain walking over the week. Scotland is definitely a fabulous playground for the photographers that we are.