2macstracks

As we got further into the hill country we spotted poles beside the road which indicated the snow depth, I think it’s been many months since there was any snow about though.

Glencoe is one of the most popular ski resorts in Scotland because of its reliable snow cover in winter. At the moment though it looks a bit shabby with all the paraphernalia exposed. The different accommodation “huts” were interesting.

We had a laugh watching two workers using a vibrating machine to pack down earth on a slope. One person needed to hold the rope attached to the machine and stop it getting away while the second person guided it down the slope. Coming back up again was another matter. The first person had to drag the machine and its operator back up the slope.

The place was absolutely milling with people, some bike riders utilising special mountain bike tracks and a few people riding up on the chairlift but most people standing about were like us just sightseeing. However scattered about all over the area were hill walkers, one man was walking with his two beautiful Border Collies. As we made our way back out to the main road we noticed a pile of gear left by a post. I can imagine an exhausted walker dumping the poles etc and flopping into someone’s car for a ride back home.

As we continued on our way we passed an impressive old railway bridge. In places the road also crosses distinctive bridges with high arched sides.

The whitewashed buildings certainly stand out from the lush green vegetation in this area.

After Alex’ altercation with the tree branch we decided to call in for a coffee at the next village which happened to be Crianlarrich.

Before we could go in anywhere though I had to clean the blood off his forehead but maybe someone with bloody scrapes on their head is a common occurrence because no one asked him how he’d hurt himself. We went into a place with signs out the front advertising their great coffees, the barista seemed quite offended when Alex politely asked him how he made his “Flat white”. The way it’s made in Australia is different from elsewhere.

A group of English ramblers were sitting in the window nook discussing whether or not they were going to “do Bridge of Orchy tomorrow” and comparing midge bites, I think they must disturb them when they push through bracken etc because we haven’t been troubled by them yet at all.

We checked out a war memorial to World War 1 before heading back to the car. It was impossible to read the inscriptions because the stone was so weathered. The soldier was wearing a kilt.