We left Fort Augustus, stopping by the gift shops to pick up some essentials we decided we couldn’t live without and made for Glen Coe and a portion of our trip I was very excited about.

On the way we visited the Commando and First world war monuments as well as the Glencoe massacre monument which all served to remind me of the unnerving capacity of our species to do harm to their fellow man, and more positively (and tragically) the sacrifice made by  brave men who fought and died so that we can enjoy the freedoms we take so much for granted.

We decided late afternoon to hike the hidden valley. The weather was great and the hike was simply breathtaking and one of the most beautiful hikes I’ve ever done. The short two hour trip took us over bridge and through varied terrain to a beautiful valley where Highlanders would hide themselves and their livestock (sometimes stolen) from unwanted attention.

On the way down we stopped off in a pool of cascading water to cool off… At least I did… Not being a big woose like Katrine who barely manager to Dio a big toe in before losing it. To be fair it was rather ‘brisk’.

Refreshed and invigorated we made it back to the car and continued on to our lodgings for the next couple of nights.

The Clachaig Inn was a real treat, a gorgeous hotel in the middle of a beautiful valley, surrounded by mountains and breathtaking scenery.  We got settled in, had a bath to ease our weary legs and scoffed some lovely pub grub before heading next door to the lively hotel bar to watch the Celidh band (and the locals).

It was uplifting to see Gaelic and  Scottish traditional music and dance being preserved and enjoyed with such vigour and care.