Megan and Sam take on The Buch...

[victoriajarrett]

The kids first visit to Scotland just had to include a day out in the hills. Along with our much loved tour guide Andy showing his kids his 'back garden'.

To be honest i wasn't sure if i would be up for a day of climbing after an 8 hour drive from the South West up to the Bridge of Allan the night before but after a good nights sleep, a bacon sandwhich and the amount of enthusiasm the kids were showing was enough to get me motivated.

With everyone fuelled from breakfast and the sun shining we head off for the hills. As we drive into the country, pass Loch's and open landscape the kids and i are excited!!! Spending most of your time in a built up industrial town means anytime spent in the country is a blessing, and what a place to choose, Scotland is stunning!!!

As we approach Buachaille Etive Mor (The Buch) i must admit i wasn't sure if the kids could make it. At first sight The Buch is quite daunting, standing on it's own and intimidating!!! But after their amazing efforts in Snowdon and the Breacon Beacons i decided i probably under-estimated their abilities, and as it turns out i did! Andy did ask them if they wanted to do an easier one but they declined the offer saying 'it's easy'...

A quick stop by the side of the road for a photograph of two excited kids about to embark on their first adventure in Scotland...

Megan and Sam pointing at The Buch

We meet Craig, Scraggles to the kids, and Rocco (Craig's Black lab) in the car park just before the walk. A welcomed addition to the adventure. We now have 'team boys' and 'team girls'...

And off we go...

We made light work of the first half with team boys really going for it. Megan, i think, struggled for the first part but she kept going. I think it was the drink and packet of monster much at the half way mark was what she needed as after polishing off those she was flying up, and i think also the fact that the second half was more off a rock climb was fun. Megan and Sam love a challenge and a little healthy competition...

Megan, a little slow at first and behind the boys...

Megan a little behind the pack

Ready to take on the steepest part of The Buch, and the best part...

Megan and mum

Sam cutting some shapes on a rock edge, a little psyching up before the final ascent...

Baby Boy Sam

After just over an hour everyone finally completes the steep part of this mountain...

Coming over the hill...

so, the hard part is done and it's just a 10 minute walk to the summit of Buachaille Etive Mor... and what a summit. The sun is shining, clouds casting shadows across the landscape and not a lot of wind. We spend the best part of an hour on the summit just taking the scenery in and relaxing. It is so peaceful, long gone are the stresses and worries back home and for me - i am just so happy to be on top of the world with my gorgeous family, and friend!!! It's strange how much contentment you feel when you are stood on top on mountain, i wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

Lunch on the summit

Daddy decides to do a little rock climbing with Megan...

Rock Climbing :)

The Group taking in the scenery...

Not the worst place in the world for a spot of lunch...

After lunch and a spot of sunbathing it is time to head back, sadly!!!

The descent back down was taken on by team boys... who made it down first. Sam was on fire, i 'm not sure if it was the thought of getting back to the car or whether he was having so much fun that got him down so quickly but he made it look easy!!! I think lots of encouragement from the boys also got him going. Megan and i took it a little more slowly and cautiously, lots of loose rock underfoot.

Finally we all make it down safely and it is time to head to the pub for a bite to eat and a well earned beer, coke for the kids of course. Believe it or not Megan still had enough energy to climb trees!!!

A big well done to the kids, not a bad effort from a 6 and 8 year old, and a big thank you to Daddy Number 1 for a day full of amazing memories and fun. It was truly an awesome day in the hills, largely helped by such fantastic weather. Perfect.

[andrewdoggett]

It was an awesome day; loved having you up here and sharing it with you and our wee babies... Super effort from them both...

Some new threads in the post for the whipper snappers - now that they are mountaineers and all...

I love you...

[victoriajarrett]

:D It was an awesome day; loved having you up here and sharing it with you and our wee babies... Super effort from them both...

Some new threads in the post for the whipper snappers - now that they are mountaineers and all...

I love you...

As someone previously said, they will soon be over-taking daddy on the hills look forward to that day!!!

[Johnny Corbett]

Great effort folks and superb photos, thats us got a report from mum & dad, how about one from the kids now?

[pollyh33]

Completely enchanting

[gammy leg walker]

Had to do a double take when I first read this,then the penny dropped,great effort from your two kids & you a very well done to you all.

[victoriajarrett]

Had to do a double take when I first read this,then the penny dropped,great effort from your two kids & you a very well done to you all.

It is quite a challenge writing a report on a subject previously written by someone else. But Andy had the time to write his while i was driving the 8 hours back home!!! Now we'll have to see who's report gets more views/comments

[RicKamila]

This makes us want to climb the Buch. Love the view from the the top. A great report indeed

[victoriajarrett]

Great effort folks and superb photos, thats us got a report from mum & dad, how about one from the kids now?

Hmmm... not sure that would work, kids can be brutally honest!!!