Loch Garry

On Saturday we took the scenic route to Skye for the beginning of our West Coast road trip. From Aberdeen we drove down to Dundee, then Perth before leaving the dual carriageways behind and heading west along the A85 through Crieff and Comrie. After a picnic lunch by the shores of Loch Earn we drove through Crianlarich and Tyndrum before heading across Rannoch Moor to Glencoe. After a coffee stop at Crafts and Things in Ballachulish we headed north through the Great Glen to Spean Bridge. After this we turned west again through Glen Garry before reaching the main road through Glen Cluanie, through Shiel Bridge and across the bridge to Skye.

It was a magnificent journey with the weather varying from heavy rain showers to bright sunshine. For the most part our stops were well timed and we enjoyed dramatic views of the beautiful Scottish scenery.

One of my favourite places is the view point which overlooks Loch Garry. The bright waters of the loch draw the eyes towards the distant mountains which crowd the horizon from north to south. Although the main road here is typically busy (being on the tourist road towards Skye) the view it commands always seems to bring quiet to those who gaze upon it. It is western Scotland at its best: water, mountains and big sky.

This view of Loch Garry is also well known because from this perspective, the loch gives a very good approximation of the outline of Scotland.