In October, I love looking at the fall colors that everyone is posting around the world. Last year, if you recall, I was actually in Canada with Elisabeth for a while and then in Washington after that, and in both places, the colors were great! I can't believe that it has already been a year since then.
This year, I was inspired to do some hiking in a place I have been considering for quite a while and that was...Scotland. You may recall me talking about the midges? And not wanting to hike in August in the Highlands because of them? Well, I decided to wait until they were gone. However, you never know what weather you are going to get when you are in Scotland, especially in October! I did experience Hurricane Amy, where the winds were anywhere from 40-90 mph depending on where you were, and actually I was out hiking and was going to camp but I got the cutest little glamping pod instead (not that it would save me if a tree came down, but I felt more secure!) and I am happy to report that I survived the night.
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| YES that is MPH not Km! (if you can't see it, it says...one sec...) |
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| 81 MPH! (I don't think it got that bad where I was) |
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| Drying out in my pod! |
So, without further ado, here are the stats and photos from a month of hiking in Scotland (and a little bit of the Lakes District at the very end).
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| 1. Linlithgow 2. Great Glen Way 3. A Wee Frog 4. Drumnadrochit cows 5. Huge Shroom 6. Affric Kintail Way |
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| 1. Loch Beag 2. Trotternish Ridge, Isle of Skye 3. Cape Wrath Trail 4. The bogs and the fog (near Lochan a'Mhain) 5. Post Box near Shiel Bridge 6. Old Man of Storr, Isle of Skye |
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| Various Views along the West Highland Way |
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| 1. Dollar Castle 2. St. Giles Cathedral 3. Lake District 4. Glasgow 5. John Muir Way 6. My 2024 Mantra (Glasgow) |
Walk at least 10 minutes per day: ✔
Daily steps average: 29,000
Daily miles average: 11
Trails walked: Great Glen Way (partial), Affric Kintail (full), Skye (partial), Cape Wrath (partial), West Highland Way (full)
Wow these photos are gorgeous! I have not been to Scotland but it’s a place I would love to take my mom at some point of the stars align. Her maiden name is McDougall so she would love to visit Scotland. I should have taken her before I had kids. But so it goes. She is in good health so hopefully by the time the kids are in an easier stage of life she would still be up for going. It looks gorgeous! But wow, 81 mph winds!! Scary! That pod looks so beautiful though!
ReplyDeleteI have walked so many miles this month - perhaps more miles than I have ever walked in a month? Walks have been so good for my sort of fragile PTSD brain. And have had company on a lot of walks - in person or in my AirPods. The views hacd been stunning here with the changing leaves. It’s really beautiful and I have had a lot of deep thoughts about the beauty of ‘letting go’ and how when the leaves fall to the ground, we can see the support structure of trees that aren’t apparent when they are full of life.
Awesome photos, Kyria! You got some true Scottish weather! Rob and Jake hiked the West Highland Way in August and had no issues with midges, I think they got some local midge spray but said they were completely unbothered, luckily, because those little bastards can really ruin a trip.
ReplyDeleteWe are currently talking about a trekking trip in Nepal for fall of 2027. Rob will be 62 but he's in good shape. That said, I feel a tiny bit nervous, it will be out of my comfort zone for sure. But we will go with a group, because I like that (even with the occasional crazy person).
Most interesting place I walked in October - the medina in Fes!
I love all these photos and WHAT AN EPIC MONTH.
ReplyDeleteI have a rich family history linked to Scotland and have always wanted to go. This is adding to my sense of urgency. Gorgeous.
I walked on the ocean floor at Medford Beach in October (with Sarah and Kae). That was pretty cool! I also had a lovely back-woods hike with my dad this week which was absolutely lovely. We ended up at a tiny lake and were the only two humans for miles and miles. *chefs kiss*
What beautiful photos--and some cows! Scotland looks perfect for walking and taking in perfectly gorgeous views. And adopting wee frogs for companionship along the way!
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