Out & About …

… on the North York Moors, or wherever I happen to be.

Category: Scotland

  • Coire na Creiche

    Coire na Creiche

    This north-west facing corrie of the Cullin hills is known as ‘the hollow of the spoil’ in Gaelic: Coire na Creiche. It earned this name due to its reputation as a preferred hideout for those seeking refuge after successful raids. However, our exploration yielded no valuable spoils; instead, we stumbled upon a trashed tent flysheet […]

  • Another day, another dùn

    Another day, another dùn

    Yesterday, I was unaware of the term “galleried dùn,” but today I came across another one. This is Dùn Ardtreck and is located at Ardtreck Point, near the entrance to Loch Harport. I must say, it is even more remarkable than yesterday’s. To be honest, I’m not entirely sure about the difference between a galleried […]

  • The “Viking Canal” at Rubh’ An Dunain

    The “Viking Canal” at Rubh’ An Dunain

    After yesterday’s lapsus calami when I misidentified a whole mountain ridge (see Mark’s comment), I thought I had better be extra attentive. The Rubh’ An Dunain is a remote headland located approximately 6km south of Glen Brittle. It is renowned for its notable feature, the “Viking Canal,” which connects Loch na h-Aide with the Soay […]

  • The stupendous Black Cuillin Ridge

    The stupendous Black Cuillin Ridge

    From a distance across Loch Slapin, the Cuillin Ridge appears as the most extraordinary cluster of mountains in the nation, with a rock landscape of unmatched magnificence and astonishing proportions. Their immense size is overwhelming, both frightening and captivating to behold, as if they possess a magnetic pull on the eyes. This range encompasses every […]

  • View west from Sgùrr Leac nan Each

    View west from Sgùrr Leac nan Each

    It’s been another glorious day, although it took a few hours for the overnight cloud to dissipate. Just moments earlier, the range of hills in the far distance had appeared like an island amidst a sea of clouds. I’m not entirely certain what those hills are, but I believe it could be the massif of […]

  • Sgurr nan Conbhairean from Carn Ghluasaid

    Sgurr nan Conbhairean from Carn Ghluasaid

    Another exceptionally sweltering day in the Western Highlands. Sgurr nan Conbhairean, known as the ‘peak of the keeper of the hounds,’ stands proudly and beckoning. In contrast, the Munro I climbed, the smaller Carn Ghluasaid, means the ‘hill of the movement.’ These enchanting names truly captivate the imagination.

  • Bonnie Prince Charlie’s gold

    Bonnie Prince Charlie’s gold

    Out and about on my own stamping grounds this morning, and the bank holiday meant that Roseberry was bustling with activity. So instead of sharing yet another snapshot of the popular hill, I figured I’d post one from my recent Scottish escapade. Loch Arkaig has a fascinating snippet of history just itching to be told. […]

  • A’ Chuil

    A’ Chuil

    If you’re wondering why I haven’t posted for a week or so, it’s because I was out of communication in Glen Dessary. Specifically, I was staying at a remote mountain bothie named A’ Chuil. ‘A’ Chuil’ translates to ‘the back’ in English. It’s unclear to me whether this refers to its remote location — the […]

  • Rait burial ground

    Rait burial ground

    Woke up to another cloudless sky and a quick low level run prior to the journey home, where I believe there has been a bit of snow. Had a look around the burial-ground of Rait with its roofless ruined church and several interesting 18th-century gravestones. Although the existing structure likely dates from the post-Reformation period, […]

  • Site of Medieval Farmstead and Ring Enclosure

    Site of Medieval Farmstead and Ring Enclosure

    Running around the foothills of the Sidlaw Hills above Fingask, and, as usual, I was easily distracted trying to locate the humps and bumps indicative of archaeological features. All the features turned out to be quite subtle, except for this farmstead, which was particularly noticeable, thanks to the low winter sun. The discovery of the […]