Meall An Dorie Dharaich & Meall Na Duibhe + Cull Bay sunset - Scotland day 9

We decided to head to Kinlochleven for our next walk. We were late getting up and as we started our walk (having parked for free in the main car park) I commented on how light my bag felt. After further investigation I realised I'd not refilled my bottle from the day before. I could have filled up en route but as there was a co-op virtually en route we detoured to there.

We planned two small hills for the day, but also a detour to Grey Mares Tail waterfall. There is also a waterfall of the same name in Wales which is unimpressive, but the Scottish namesake was much better. We managed to get right up to the falls as the river was low - it did involve traversing a few deep pools though (thankfully we managed to avoid wet boots!)







After a bit of path confusion we found our way onto our well worn path up. It was nice to be on an actual path and the going was easy. We were still in our thermals after the chilly weather previously in the week but were soon roasting hot. We cooled ourselves down by chucking icy snow balls at each other!

We have good views to the Pap of Glencoe


Our first top Meall An Dorie Dharaich was a fine view point and we enjoyed our lunch there just before the top (my tummy was starting to implode on itself thanks to our late start!)



We came down through boggy ground (I got a few boot fulls!) and crossed the river at Loch Eilde Mor dam - we probably could have crossed it further up if we'd wanted to as water levels were low. There was a wild campers tent at the loch and the area felt a foreboding place to make camp.



Crossing the damn was easy over a bridge and Emma enjoyed looking down into it.



We followed the path along the other side for a short while then it was up the side of Meall Na Duibhe, it was a little steep and heathery but not too bad.



We found a safe snow slope to have some sledging fun on. It was nice that it was warm enough to be able to stop and have some fun in the snow without freezing.





The views of Aonach Eagach were again fantastic




Loving the warmer weather, big smiles!


Sun onto the hills








Our way back down was easy going too, we descended to the pipe line marked on the map and picked up a footpath to then follow above the river to Kinlochleven . The footpath was steep and very eroded initially and required a little care. The river was pretty to follow and it would have been nice to be able to drop down and explore it a bit more (the path ran quite high above it in places) but we were too hungry! We also saw a nice waterfall which would be nice to return to someone and get to the bottom.



We also passed some of the hydro electric works on our way back to the car and saw some nice wooden fish sculptures mounted on the fencing.

We headed back to our cottage for some food then jumped in the car to drive round to the sea Loch beach close by to us. It's called Cull Bay and it is a lovely spot. We made it just in time to see the sun go behind the hills - magic.











The loch had some excellent rock pools and loads of shells to be collected.