Wednesday 14 November 2012

River Deep Mountain High


One of my all time favourite short walks is along the footpath which leads eastwards from our Wester Alligin cottage over to the slightly larger lochside settlement of Inveralligin. You can enjoy views of Loch Torridon and the mountains to the south, and the path is gentle and generally easy on the paws.

I expect that those folk who promote Scotland as a tourist destination would prefer that I show you photos of this lovely walk taken on a dry and sunny day.

Well my friends, it is no secret that bright and rain-free days are few and far between in Northwest Scotland in November (or any other month, come to think of it).

So I feel that I shall be doing you a public service by showing you what the path was looking like last weekend, when Gail and I were over at the cottage and ventured out for a stroll during a brief interlude between heavy downpours.

I mean how else would you know that what to any sane dog would appear to be a stream, best avoided by water-averse chaps such as myself, is in fact the correct route to follow?

It all started just fine...


Wet, yes, but perfectly passable

Then for a moment I lost sight of the track

And when I found it again...

It looked like this...

We did eventually reach Inveralligin, without doubt a feat of exploration to match Stanley's arrival at the mouth of the River Congo. 

But you might not be surprised to learn that we decided to return via the road.

Oh and by the way, why is a stream known in Scotland as a 'burn'?

Surely it should be a 'drown'.

21 comments:

  1. Thank you for letting us look at the real Scotland, looks nice and wet, kind of like our Portland Oregon in the Pacific Northwest!

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  2. A good idea to take the high road home. We would have been soaked through to our shoulders, taking that path.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy

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  3. Well it's all very attractive mate, but as you say, a bit damp! I trust Gail allowed you to warm your paws in a suitable hostelry before returning home? Deccy x

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  4. The scenery is fantastic Bertie, you certainly live in a beautiful area.

    Molly, Taffy, Monty and Winnie.

    Pee S. Taffy just scrolled down to your previous post which we somehow missed. Our observations were that we are glad you didn't practice your new trick along the waterlogged paths.

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  5. Personally I am dying to go to Scotland since reading your blog Bertie, but then I have always liked the rain. I loved your comment on your blog about your Winnie the Pooh connection by the way. Ive always wanted to play Pooh sticks in the original stream

    urban hounds

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  6. Bertie lovely views and we wish you some sun. Here it is lovely and sunny and warm. We send you some of our weather with love. Have a wonderful Wednesday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  7. What a pretty walk (wet and all) Bertie. We hope that the next time it is dry for you. We don't want you to get your pretty paws wet and soiled.

    Hugs,
    Lily Belle & Muffin

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  8. So so pretty but I can't believe the rivers you had to cross there! Hope it gets a bit dryer!

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  9. Bertie that was a beautiful walk even if it was cloudy and rainy. The way the weather has been around here lately I think we might be channeling Scotland.

    Millie & Cindy

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  10. That looks like a pretty walk, but I don't like to get my paws that wet!

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  11. We wouldn't mind hiking in that picturesque place
    Benny & Lily

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  12. When the view is as breath taking as yours is, sunshine is not a must at all. Just to tramp along and enjoy the scenery is a great plenty.

    Glad you came home via the roadway though.

    Cheers,
    Stella

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  13. Hey Bertie!
    Wow, what a gorgeous walkie! You have such a wonderful territory...I wish I could come there and see it with you. I'd be thrilled with that water and it's so pretty there. Thanks for letting me see those great pix.
    Grr and Woof,
    Sarge, COP

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  14. pssst.. Carrleigh left you something on her blog.

    http://impishcarrleighkilbride.blogspot.com/

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  15. Oh Bertie you have such a wonderful country, with such senic views, wish we couuld come and visit and run around like you do!

    Your Furiends
    Susie & Bites

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  16. I hope you got to come home to a nice cup of warm milk and a warm blanket. I love seeing the pictures of your country. It is so beautiful.

    Loveys Sasha

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  17. Bertie - What's a wee bit of rain when there's a puddle to splash in ?

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  18. Bertie, maybe it should be called a 'swim'! Did your Gail have knee high boots on? It looks wonderful even if a little damp hehe. No worries, and love, Stella and Rory

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  19. These pictures are amazing. I kind of like the rain and mist. Sunshine is overrated!

    Your pal, Pip

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  20. That looks like a great place for a swim.....and a walk....but probably not by schnauzers, like you, they're water averse :) fantastic scenery x

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  21. I'm sorry you don't have more dry and sunny days Bertie..... we must see what we can do about that.... should we ask Santy Paws?? He seems to have a fair bit of sway!? It was unusual that your path turned into a stream.....

    Today you would have been very jelly of me - down at the doggie beach, bright sun, 24 degrees (just nice says my mum), with tennis ball, and making lots of new doggie furiends. I got real wets.... in and out of rock pools - but dried off super quick.

    Tail Wuggles, Rubie xxx

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