Day 1 (26 March)
Out the door about 10:30 this morning after 3 hours of running around the house (plus a trip to the supermarket to buy something for lunch).
Why? Where?
I’m on my way to Eigg. It’s one of the Small Isles, just south of Skye.
To get there you take a Calmac ferry from Mallaig. It leaves at 10:20 – only 3 times a week in winter (summer timetables start with April). Mallaig is a 3.5 hour drive from my house. In theory I could leave home at 6am and be on time. In reality, any delay would mean missing it and a 2 day wait for the next one!
Calmac
Much safer to spend the night in a bed & breakfast in Roy Bridge (close to Fort William). A 1 hour drive from Mallaig.
In fact I decided to get the 8:30 train tomorrow from Fort William to Mallaig – I can sit and enjoy the views.
The weather was sunny and warm, so I decided on a 12km hike near Roy Bridge this afternoon – to Coire Ardair at Creag Meagaidh, and back.
Coire Ardair
One of the highlights was being able to grab a handful of snow to rub on my face and neck to cool down. Perfect.
Tired now (10pm). All that fresh mountain air and exercise!
ⓒ iain taylor, 2017