Out and About

Although it can hardly be called summer up here in the west coast of Scotland, we've been enjoying getting out and about at weekends for walks and coffees. The one is my reward for the other! Last weekend, we revisited one of the local beauty spots in the countryside not too far from here. I think I mentioned it a couple of years ago on the blog. To get there, it's a lovely drive through wide, empty moorland populated with lots of sheep which wander on to the country road. It's even better just now with all the lambs about, though we had to be extra careful to watch out for the wanderers.

Loch Thom is the local reservoir and further on, at the famous old Cut which carried the water from the reservoir at one time, there's a great nature trail which starts off with a lovely level stroll along a path, then gradually begins to slope down until you're level with the meandering burn way down in the depths. If you continue on, you can cross the little bridge and gradually climb up the endless stairs on the other side  It feels like another world, fairly near a big town, yet right out in the countryside. One of the scenes in The Highland Lass takes place out here! The gorse was fantastic, with its splashes of yellow everywhere and the waterfall is at the beginning of the trail.

It's a great place for picnics and you can also walk in the opposite direction from the Cut back along the moorland path beside the Loch. It's also a great place to get fitter, with all that walking and it's a change from our usual coastal walks. Next time, I'm hoping to get a few more miles in!

Rosemary