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A movable feast while walking through wild, ancient Scotland.
Join us on our Scotland trek coming up this September. Check out a story from the late Steve Guthrie on the way to Ben Nevis from a few years back.
I went for some hill walking in the highlands of Scotland. What I got was so much more than that.
Scotland, home of kilts, bagpipes, haggis and single malt whiskey is also home to a vast wilderness of extraordinary mountains and lochs. The Highlands are sparsely populated and mostly barren save for scattered villages and farms. There are many more sheep than people. Narrow roads wind through the countryside like trails. Solitude is all but guaranteed.
Scotland is a place rife with history. Part of my reason for going to Scotland was the significant amount of climbing history that took place in the Highlands. Equipment and technique development, modern mountain rescue and more was all happening in Scotland in the 1960’s and ‘70’s. In addition to the skills and gear being developed, a culture of characters was forged, and those characters were at the forefront of climbing for decades. This era was documented by numerous authors and as a boy I poured over their stories and books, hanging on every word. Having read, and re-read, about these places for decades I wanted to see them in person and see if what I imagined was anything like reality. I was not disappointed.
I arrived a day early to spend a bit of time wandering around Edinburgh by myself. Using my time-honored technique of walking until I was completely lost I went into small shops and cafes and stopped random people on the street to ask directions. This always seems to get me better acquainted with a place than just looking at a map or guidebook. Plus, I learn what the locals find interesting!
Traveling to new places makes me pay attention to details that normally I might ignore. Local history, food, architecture, weather patterns, street names, buskers on the corners, all seem somehow more interesting and charming.
Every nook and cranny in Edinburgh seems to have significance, whether it’s a medieval castle or the café where the first Harry Potter book was written. Arched doorways lead to winding staircases, alleys and courtyards. Cobblestone streets lined by gothic buildings with towers and turrets evoke images of ancient Scottish intrigue and feuds as well as the Renaissance era. Statues of famous dead people (some are my ancestors) are everywhere. Standing over the city is a rather large castle, which makes it easy to get one’s bearings when lost. Despite its cultural heritage Edinburgh is a modern and busy city. Trams and busses make it easy to traverse the city but really Edinburgh is the perfect walking town. Lots of hills and stairs but most things seem to be in walking distance.
Next morning, we jumped on a train for Fort William. The train winds through valleys and along lochs as it passes out of the lowlands and enters the highlands, a mountainous region with numerous peaks jutting up from remote and barren valleys. Small villages with whitewashed houses and narrow lanes are situated at the foot of the valleys or along the lochs.
Arriving at Fort William we were met by our local guide. Lunch was a short drive to the historic Ben Nevis Inn. Situated at the trailhead to Ben Nevis, highest peak in the UK, the Inn is ground zero for a ton of climbing history. After lunch we took a hike to shake off the travel cobwebs then drove to our hotel for the next few nights, The Clachaig Inn. A charming place with about 25 rooms it sports 2 restaurants and 3 bars! One of the bars has won awards as Best Pub in Scotland and Best Pub in UK. Their dedication to food and drink was a proper introduction to Highland hospitality. The whole place is a virtual museum of Scottish climbing with pictures of climbs and climbers as well as old climbing gear liberally scattered about. Immediately it felt like home. The Clachaig Inn is in Glencoe. In 1692 38 members of Clan MacDonald were massacred by troops loyal to England and led by Robert Campbell. Even today the Campbells are not welcome at the Clachaig Inn as exhibited by a sign at the registration desk. The Scots have long memories… Glencoe is also the location of several movie locations, including Harry Potter, Braveheart and James Bond — Skyfall.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FScotland_2018_-_Clachaig_Inn.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=78edb2eac2ddda2b501e2c33031472dd 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FScotland_2018_-_Clachaig_Inn.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=9d0f439edf00613c522e91384aee0b50 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FScotland_2018_-_Clachaig_Inn.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=864d04a19877f9dac17e90076188644a 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FScotland_2018_-_Clachaig_Inn.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=1917852b62a1121f018d46ddd92a3ca8 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FScotland_2018_-_Clachaig_Inn.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=64fbb82f5cefaa7b0682e1aa389373fa 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FScotland_2018_-_Clachaig_Inn.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=a94d15321f1b6bdb5efa96169e2f94d8 1200w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FScotland_2018_-_Clachaig_Inn.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=e62b7730d9936643563b7c4b01956de9 1400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FScotland_2018_-_Clachaig_Inn.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=10695b34918360c9de8ae43934b6ca43 1600w)
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FScotland_2018_-_mutton_plate.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=ce7d7d242a53e5f2c90d1f83af4db1ce 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FScotland_2018_-_mutton_plate.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=ae58a9196fdb1ed6e18c156ba10938ff 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FScotland_2018_-_mutton_plate.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=e0edbd41bc0c0038064a0db9cc5ba7e3 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FScotland_2018_-_mutton_plate.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=33c5b70c251202981436a0cfbcc0ccff 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FScotland_2018_-_mutton_plate.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=f5fbd4232b68199d5b0e92e07e29b0d0 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FScotland_2018_-_mutton_plate.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=1e85ea929c4de8913ac7e7170d6aed6d 1200w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FScotland_2018_-_mutton_plate.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=9b1c4eeb55b7ac6d7e16fbc8c5f8b587 1400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FScotland_2018_-_mutton_plate.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=64e302ac0771692d1e0170a3a45798a4 1600w)
The traditional Scottish delicacy of haggis
A big storm (Ali) was predicted to make the next few days wet and windy. It did not disappoint. It also did not keep us from hiking up a storm. Literally and figuratively.
Over the next days we hiked Bidean nam Bian (The Three Sisters), Ben Nevis (highest peak in UK), and the Devils Staircase. To do these hikes in what the Scots call “full conditions” gave them an air of authenticity, also of seriousness. Near the summit of Ben Nevis our group found a woman curled into a fetal position and virtually unresponsive. Her husband was trying to help her, to no avail. Our group shielded her from the 60 — mph wind and rain, and after it was determined that she was suffering from an undetermined and significant condition, our local guide called for a rescue helicopter. Somehow the copter was able to hover in the wind, lower a medic, and winch the woman to the copter before flying off.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FP1040734.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=1555bdeeea6f723912d626a402453205 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FP1040734.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=eb7e60a0857d105a79890addcd936142 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FP1040734.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=c287e65302bb10601564156c7492d478 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FP1040734.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=af3c6fcc170a9732200a306e09129605 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FP1040734.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=a723416ee4929c951eb826a96ee2b4ef 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FP1040734.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=4898d5642d1b479a4196e3ce7ff3eea2 1200w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FP1040734.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=2518b0ac453e9cd2b2a875b47322824d 1400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FP1040734.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=caaf706bbf22b92b3947f72da34fc8ab 1600w)
View from the summit of Ben Nevis, with a rescue helicopter flying in
It became apparent that wild weather was a big part of outdoor recreation in Scotland. In the worse weather people were in the hills having fun. The hotels all had drying rooms for your gear and a stop at the nearest pub, some right at the trailheads, to dry out and rehydrate, was the norm. The epic weather caused us to modify some plans, but it did not keep us from hitting the trail. We now feel as though we are proper Scottish outdoors people!
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FScotland_2018_-_NICKI.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=9e331f651b638c9730d76fbd8606574d 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FScotland_2018_-_NICKI.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=25eb94a878494105764b3d00ce248c07 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FScotland_2018_-_NICKI.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=14a8ce539fec3a5abdb64acae35332e3 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FScotland_2018_-_NICKI.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=a667c12892d57df924012485d0fac833 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FScotland_2018_-_NICKI.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=2831bac4e5cfc9f509a8cd2b5796ef90 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FScotland_2018_-_NICKI.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=704aba6b464110c3b4fd3ae5f1d07865 1200w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FScotland_2018_-_NICKI.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=96b885e4026442eb22fe11ab4fa19365 1400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FScotland_2018_-_NICKI.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=364a2f10810b22555f9d34c4996b8911 1600w)
Our very own Mountain Madness adventurer — Nicki!
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_0426.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=b0bdca61c2c8e51518987eb7efba5794 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_0426.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=489109b4b4763aa9574ef91638b70d08 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_0426.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=e8cde739e91a2fa306497eede3025869 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_0426.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=e5aa324f9d083b8be4be8a595081bdff 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_0426.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=30db4146a61ece5a2bc3ac8ca19223b8 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_0426.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=4cc7d6795796854f24576f60e0922c68 1200w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_0426.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=819f8947fef273637906edce3fd84cb0 1400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_0426.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=ed0c44c7973a0801499abb28e938fba4 1600w)
Following 3 nights in Glencoe we went to Fort William for one night. Next morning, we toured a whisky distillery then headed north for lunch on the Isle of Skye. This schedule was an alternate since the storm was at its peak this day with winds forecast to be 90 mph. Even the Scottish hikers were staying inside today!
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_0406_Scotland.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=2c298e003b06fca7b12d88e5e4755764 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_0406_Scotland.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=f5448130bb9d5b35e23dbdb301bd56f2 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_0406_Scotland.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=6e942a8122e0e8216d9ff2f51842d9ba 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_0406_Scotland.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=69d468aeacc22a756ba42504bba387e8 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_0406_Scotland.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=d19c1932ebba4c81f76e898d7dedc898 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_0406_Scotland.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=c6b6b1d80036ffdca6ae1e68cf37b185 1200w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_0406_Scotland.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=e33e1ddf6fd54d20d003a47d9a97684d 1400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_0406_Scotland.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=3c26f77770f00d581ab8a7321df8e1a0 1600w)
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After a windswept lunch (the gusts were shaking the café!) on Skye we continued to the mountainous region of Torridon. This part of Scotland is remote, barren and incredibly beautiful. We stayed a couple nights at the Tigh An Eilean Inn located in the small village of Sheidaig. Our rooms looked out at the salt water loch just in front of the inn and were comfortable and quaint and decorated in an eclectic fashion. As might be expected in a remote and tiny Scottish village, the pub next door was the gathering spot for local characters. With the jokes being told and the yarns being spun it felt like a scene from the BBC or a movie.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_0403.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=36662a30a3c7e2418a206e4dceda133c 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_0403.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=a639e6449b1b374eface8e1f512b91d9 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_0403.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=8164edf83bd6690ae4359ff163633e60 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_0403.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=cdf64501b64a3d634227190cd3f748ec 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_0403.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=176b1d360fedc8846bb153cdff531c7d 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_0403.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=cc4669da8ae2990746237502e2e02829 1200w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_0403.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=f0868678faecfc8c1e98d6bfabf35095 1400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_0403.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=6d92708cdeec28cafad3ab9dfb820c33 1600w)
Eilean Donan Castle
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_0526.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=662042648a3ca1ea35a80f7663c38472 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_0526.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=820181a00a54c81f044e1428d4c3ce6b 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_0526.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=dfc913d83eec2408db9464c3a1f6b32d 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_0526.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=5b0f9066d6199c6a66af1a24ea878fad 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_0526.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=d9717f8deadb68c2a105ecf3d1a2efe6 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_0526.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=ea76b61dda6e41c3320ecfb6bee59888 1200w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_0526.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=ecbd3b3dca75847f5cd008bfd25e16a2 1400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_0526.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=9194de3599718aa460938e49efad22cb 1600w)
Village of Sheidaig
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FScotland_2018_-_big_white_house_with_rainbow.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=53ccff65874f4dd1b5bda8cbff2b7eb4 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FScotland_2018_-_big_white_house_with_rainbow.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=1029fca49016e677c8cba844344196b4 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FScotland_2018_-_big_white_house_with_rainbow.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=c4860f9120056b09f4963934abfb5dd0 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FScotland_2018_-_big_white_house_with_rainbow.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=f4a04ef31fdf678770c71c551f19829d 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FScotland_2018_-_big_white_house_with_rainbow.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=2e80bd5251a09d2afc467b9d0ec854d6 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FScotland_2018_-_big_white_house_with_rainbow.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=66dafb72cdfa1fee33ed5532dd8ce6b9 1200w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FScotland_2018_-_big_white_house_with_rainbow.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=4a9d1bfb13f9c9b8a0609230055437e5 1400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FScotland_2018_-_big_white_house_with_rainbow.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=5c890109334da1577ed27944857fb3a4 1600w)
Lodge on 60,000 acre private estate!
After 2 days of hiking nearby we headed for Inverness and the train back to Edinburgh. We were closing the circle on a grand circuit around the Highlands. We hit the town for our final group dinner and enjoyed yet another evening telling our own jokes and spinning yarns about our adventure. In the morning everyone was headed in different directions and back to the reality of “real” life.
Despite being very different from what I am used to, what with castles and such, Scotland left me with an air of the familiar. The history I had read played out in real time. We walked in the footsteps of the famous and infamous, climbed mountains in “full- Scottish” conditions, soaked in the atmosphere of small village life, ate great meals, tasted really old single-malt whisky, enjoyed the hospitality of every Scot we met, all while traveling with an amazing group of people. I can’t wait to return…
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F43663870_10156603549914336_1628460283619966976_n.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=1aea547d51353ae2acbd43b8235227c7 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F43663870_10156603549914336_1628460283619966976_n.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=bd05efa8e410b876d1e76a5348de3672 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F43663870_10156603549914336_1628460283619966976_n.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=de7cda43f73996ec4a45b5482117d81a 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F43663870_10156603549914336_1628460283619966976_n.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=a1801339c4e70913ca518c86e8a4a1e6 720w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F43663870_10156603549914336_1628460283619966976_n.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=1a7c6506f4bdc9d984450279a2cbb172 720w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F43663870_10156603549914336_1628460283619966976_n.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=4a5f1a4c14bc2b9411fed4562ac560b6 720w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F43663870_10156603549914336_1628460283619966976_n.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=420e90c7705a4e0a36a22f345c60c074 720w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F43663870_10156603549914336_1628460283619966976_n.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=7d3765af98400330ff1cf0353d2268ba 720w)
- Steve Guthrie