Loch Maree

The long drive north felt like an escape. Regions all around the North of England were being placed in tier three Covid restrictions, and it looked like South Yorkshire would be soon to follow. In just a few days time, staying overnight away from home would once more be banned, but right now, the going was good even if the forecast was sketchy. It was to be a wild camping trip, easier to do in these days of local lockdowns than booked accommodation. Torridon, and specifically Loch Maree, brought a promise of space and solitude but without the rigors of a solo trip with portages and self-shuttling such as the Inverpolly circuit. Travelling across the Pennines and passing the Trossachs, the richness of the autumn landscape constantly tempted me to stop, but I had a deadline to meet, needing enough light to reach the islands and set up camp before nightfall. Sun and light airs gave way to encroaching rain through the Cairngorms. When I reached Slattadale, heavyweight clouds …

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The whole of the west Highlands was sat under the cold clear air of a winter anticyclone on this February day. I had driven up from South Yorkshire the day before, enjoying the clarity of the views over Rannoch Moor and the still air over an ice-covered Loch Ba, so I was delighted that the conditions were matched in Torridon. Exploring the islands of Loch Maree had been high on my list of trips to do, so I wasted no time in getting on the water at Slatterdale. Equipped with stove, food and camera gear, I was soon afloat. Conditions on the water were superb, barely a breath of a breeze to stir the surface of the loch and a weak winter sun shining through a haze of cloud. The scots pines on the shoreline stood out against the regiments of spruce and larch on the slopes behind. Crossing the loch to the islands I enjoyed the ease of paddling over still waters. Ahead the ridge of Beinn Airigh Charr was dusted with snow, just emerging from a blanketing mist. After a …

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