Nicki's 40th Birthday in Scotland

Ben Nevis is 4,406ft high Nicki will be 40 in April 2008 and as May and June are statistically the driest months to visit Scotland Nicki has decided to celebrate with a climb up Ben Nevis with friends and family and a stay at the nearby campsite. Britain's tallest mountain sits near Fort William, the outdoor capital of the UK and within some of Scotland's most beautiful scenery.

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Ben Nevis

Last time we climbed Ben Nevis Nicki was pregnant with Corrin and we managed to get about half way up using the tourist path. The views and fresh air are excellent and there's plenty of opportunity to stop along the way, including a lake (Lochan Meall An T-Suidhe) which is our initial goal. The journey up is mostly via a well troden path, sure footing and little chance of straying off course. The more adventurous who wish to reach the summit, will need to take the challenge a bit more seriously as the path disappears on the higher slopes and the dangers of the mountain increase so we'll focus on the full climb in another thread. It takes 5 hours to reach the summit and 3 hours to descend. We'll attempt our climb on a clear day in the morning (probably a week day) and its likely we'll climb higher than the clouds. The recommendation for the climb is a good pair of hiking boots, waterproofs, warm clothing, map, compass, torch and whistle. Some aerobic exercise and steps will provide the necessary fitness but most of the climb is fairly easy and you'll be rewarded some excellent views even if you stick to climbing just up to the lake. The summit is likely to be cold and windy but a scree plateau of uneven rocks, and its possible we'll find some snow (6ft deep at the top in May 2007)! Obviously every good climb deserves a pint so the Ben Nevis Inn at the bottom of the mountain will be a welcome return:
Ben Nevis Inn website

Here's a pic of Lochan Meall An T-Suidhe, our first objective (from above).


Here's a pic of the summit


The Glen Nevis campsite
The campsite is well established and awarded campsite of Scotland 2006, I first visited in 1978 and its improved each time I've visited. You can pitch a tent or mobile home, rent caravans, cottages or lodges so there's something for a variety of budgets. It's situated in a valley with mountains either side dominating the view and the access to Ben Nevis is via a footbridge crossing the River Nevis. There's showers, laundry, provisions, bar and restaurant on the campsite.
Glen Nevis Campsite website
Here's a view of the campsite from Ben Nevis



Beyond the campsite you'll pass the youth hostel, waterfalls and the Glen Nevis waterslide until you come to Steale car park where the road ends. From here you can take a leisurely hike along the West Highland Way through Steale Gorge where huge boulders strangle the river as it thunders over and round them and eventually arrive at Steall Waterfall which descends 500ft down the mountain and is accessed via the Cable Bridge, great for all the Indiana Jones lookalikes.



Here's an excellent collection of pix of the walk:


For a more arduous route you can continue onwards, completing a circular trek known as the ring of Steale which includes the climb over Devil's Ridge, but be warned this is not a beginners trek:



Fort William
The town of Fort William is 2 miles from the campsite offering banks, accommodation, entertainment, swimming pool, 10-pin Bowling, pubs, supermarket, fast food and restaurants. The Loch offers plenty of opportunity for watersports including scuba diving and nearby is the Glen Nevis whisky distillery plus Neptune's Staircase (lock system) on the Caledonian canal.

Harry Potter Train



The Jacobean steam train used in the Harry Potter film leaves Fort William travelling through Glenfinnan and over the famous 21 arch viaduct continuing onto the coast at Mallaig. The journey takes 2hrs and the full return trip takes 6hrs which gives you half hr in Glenfinnan and 1&1/2hrs in Mallaig. Its only available during the week, leaving at 10.20 and returning approx 4pm costing £28 for adults, £16 for children.
Jacobean steam train website

Glencoe



Glencoe is 20 miles south of Fort William where the mountains rise like huge fists from the earth and the massacre in 1692 still carries a foreboding atmosphere. Nearby to Glencoe is the summer ski-lift which is worth a visit.

Highland Games at Blair Atholl



If you fancy some Highland Games you'd find it hard to find a better backdrop than Blair castle in Blair Atholl, where the games commence on Sunday 25th May at 1.15pm. The castle hosts Europe's only remaining private army, the Atholl Highlanders (pictured above).
Blair Castle website

Loch Ness
If you fancy visiting Loch Ness it will take 1&1/2hrs by car to get to the famous Urquhart Castle where Nessie was photographed, passing Loch Lochy, and Fort Augustus on the way. A two hour radius by car will take you as far as the Isle of Skye, past Eilean Donan Castle and the Kyle of Lochalsh to the east. Aviemore, Pitlochry, Inverness, Perth, Stirling, Glasgow and Oban are all within this radius.

Eilean Donan Castle website
You may recognise this castle from the film Highlander starring Mel Gibson.



Other places of interest:
Reconstruction of Iron-age Loch dwellings:
The Scottish Crannog Centre website
Famed for its part in Monarch of the Glen and Mrs Brown is one of Scotland's most stunning private houses - Ardverikie:
Ardverikie website