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My sister with Family finally came visit us to Scotland. They came for 10 days, so during the time I wanted show them as much the Best of Scotland as possible...
I prepared plans for some trips, the Weather forecast was important factor in the preparation and by the way we decided to do two really long day trips in two following days. Not sleeping away, returns back home between... The first big trip was Isle of Skye 25.3.2014 and I added some interesting places to the route. We woke up very early and started at 03:30 am from home. 1st stop The Commando Memorial in sunrise, then Loch Ness - beginning, then Eilean Donan Castle and circle around all Isle of Skye with nice walk up to the Storr. After nice long day out we returned back home around 21:30. Another day 26.3. we woke up very early again and started our way at 4:00 am for this trip: Glenfinnan and Ben Nevis. Glenfinnan is not far away from Fort William, so it's good to add the beautiful place to the route. The plan was: start very early, visit Glenfinnan first ( because of the weather forecast for better visibility later morning - noon for Ben Nevis ), then Ben Nevis and then Glencoe and Rannoch Moor - just some stops for photos on the way back...
- We started our day by a wee trip to Glenfinnan before the walk up to Ben Nevis. I wanted show them the beautiful Glen and the famous Viaduct, but main reason was the weather - very cloudy in the morning, but clear sky and good visibility promised by weather forecast later morning...I wanted the timing - good visibility on Ben Nevis for them
- From Glenfinnan back to Fort William...Ben Nevis looks great, but still cloudy. I hoped the forecast will be right about the improvement, I was on Ben Nevis many times before, but they came first time to Scotland and I really wanted the best views for them for unforgettable memories...
- Usual view of Glen Nevis with the Sgurr a'Mhaim, Stob Ban and Mullach nan Coirean in the background. The sky is getting clearer slowly...
- Photo together shortly after 1st half of the way up
- Looking back on the path - my sister posing
- Straight up ! Shortcut in snow as the usual path is a little around, too many footprints straight up there and they need warm up by the steeper ascent . Then, sure, they will not forget the trip
- Looking back down...really good visibility
- Short break in safe place...refreshment and catching breath
- Enough ! Come on...come on !!!
- The angle of the slope splits us by fit-condition after the break
- Summit over the horizon, no wind, some white clouds only...
- Looking back...the visibility is good, despite the clouds as they are in higher level
- On the snowy plateau...Mamores and more and more behind
- ...and one more
- My Sister's Family on Ben Nevis, well done - the youngest Girl is 11 years old...good effort from her
- Really deep snow on the summit, the summit post is almost covered !
- Snow...and snow...and snow...and blue sky ! I am happy that they have great views around, they deserved it after the effort
- The edge with a cornice...don't try to go closer there !!!
- Another cornice from respectful distance...
- The Mamores with the Steall Waterfalls in the front, Buachaille Etive Mor in the background...and many more
- My special place of Tribute...Peak of Carn Mor Dearg and Aonach Mor & Aonach Beag behind
- Some loud noise above the summit...sky focused very quickly...R.A.F. Tornado !!!
- Summit photo Together...unforgettable day ! Happy and grateful...
- Some adrenalin on the descent - overcoming the avalanche near the Waterfall
After Ben Nevis we visited Glencoe, Rannoch Moor and some more nice places on the road home. It was a great day out !
I hope they have some unforgettable memories from Scotland...
After the trip we got home after 21:00 and after refreshment by shower, dinner and sharing our stories from the trip, we slept deeply and very well