We awoke to bright blue skies today for a change! So, we decided to take the Dun na Cuiach walk while the weather still seemed promising.
Then we checked the temperature. When I saw that it was zero degrees, with an expected high of 2 with (-)1 wind chill factor, I wondered if it was such a good idea to be climbing a mountain.
Then we checked the temperature. When I saw that it was zero degrees, with an expected high of 2 with (-)1 wind chill factor, I wondered if it was such a good idea to be climbing a mountain.
But, then I realized that the temp prediction was in degree C, and the sun was shining, so why not give it a try?
So, after an amazing breakfast of Eggs Benedict (included in the room rate…..so, wi-fi in the room doesn’t work, but breakfast was awesome!),
we bundled up and headed out for the Dun na Cuaich walk. "Just follow the signs" , the visitor center attendant had told us. They’ll be marked with a blue arrow.
One look across the loch and I knew that we were in for a clear weather treat today!
One look across the loch and I knew that we were in for a clear weather treat today!
Isn't the blue hue of the Loch just lovely?
On the way to the first placard, we stopped to get a photo of me in front of the castle since it looks so much better on a sunny day.
We easily spotted the trail sign
And, our intended destination
See that round building at the very tip of the mountain? Well, thats the Dun na Craich. Wish I could tell you more about it. A very friendly gentleman told us that the building had been built ages ago by the Duke of Argyll strictly for the purpose of viewing the area. About the name.....sorry...haven't figured that one out yet. But, obviously, we had a wee bit of a challenge ahead of us.
We followed the direction of the arrow...... across a field....... through a gate....... and soon found ourselves on a path , traveling uphill for a LONG time.
Marty kept saying, “I think we’re almost at the top”, but that sounded all too familiar to me. I decided to ignore him and just take in the beauty of the hike.
The climb was pretty steep, and there were traces of ice and snow on the trail, but the only difficulty that I had was maneuvering the many rocks that made up the trail. But we just took the hike at a leisurely pace, stopping to admire the scenery along the way.
From this vantage point, we were able to watch a group of sheep, far in the distance, being herded by a dog. At first, I was curious as to why this group of sheep was running around, together, in circles, then we saw the dog, and realized what was happening.
We continued climbing.....and.....finally! We were at the top!
Somehow I managed to climb up into the tower for the view.
But with the wind whipping, and the lack of sunlight inside, it was much easier to stand outside and take in all of this magnificence.
I zoomed in on the castle
And the town of Inveraray
which looked so tiny, jutting out on that peninsula.
Marty took a couple of shots of us with the castle in the background.
(It's just to the left of the top of my head.)
Then, we headed back down the trail into town where we stopped for afternoon tea.
On our way back to the hotel, we walked around a bit. We saw the bell tower that still stands in the town next to the Scottish Episcopal Church.
It apparently holds the second heaviest set of bells in all of Scotland. (Sometimes I think that the Scots come up with crazy facts just to make places seem to be appealing.)
Then, we popped into a couple of shops, and of course, Marty couldn’t pass on the local Whiskey Shop.
And when that guy offered him a taste……how could he refuse?
We were certainly lucky that the sun held out, but the cold was brutal. Here’s hoping that tomorrow warms up a bit!
We will be heading south.
Do you think that will help? Here's hoping......
Now I am definitely hooked on wanting to tour Scotland in the near future (within 5 years). I just loved the view from the arch. It might have been cold but you could only tell that when I saw your chattering teeth:) Love to travel with you anytime anywhere:) Nanette
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