Running between Kingshouse and Glencoe with Buachaille Etive Mor on the left

Yesterday we had a wonderful run ; we took the train to Tyndrum and ran back to Fort William. The weather was much better than we expected - it was warm and sunny. Needless to say the hills looked gorgeous and incredibly green.As a trail run the 2nd half of the west highland way is hard to beat  taking in Rannoch Moor, Glencoe ,Kinlochleven and the Lairig Mor and going past some glorious and iconic mountains  including Beinn Dorain and Buachaille Etive Mor  .I have had some tough times on the route especially during the 2005 West Highland Way Race when I had extremely sore feet, it was probably the most painful experience of my life! However now my affection for the way grows with every running of it .Yesterday we took our time and stopped for a drink in Kinlochleven- the beer brewed next door to the bar in the Ice Factor was delicious.

Quick sketch of Spittal of Glenshee where we camped for the race last week.  Full marks to Karen and George  for an excellent event.

Lochnagar

Looking back along the ridge leading up to Locnagar

Looking west from the summit of Lochnagar

The Loch after which Lochnagar the mountain is named

Writing the last post on the area around Lochnagar prompted me to look out some old pictures of the mountain. The rounded south side is contrasted by the dramatic cliffs ( very popular with climbers) to the north which enfold the loch. On a clear day most of Deeside is visible as well as the Cairngorms proper beyond this. Most people climb the hill and then return to the Spittal, however they then miss the delights of the vast tundra like plateau beyond and the other Munros on the  round . The descent from Broad Cairn as Loch Muick appears below never ceases to thrill me despite the countless times I've done it. Just writing this brings back memories of so many happy days running in these hills at all times of the year and in all weather conditions. Also of sadder times and of tragedy.

I've added this giclee print to my etsy shop. I 'painted' it in colour pencil about 6 years ago. It shows Glas Allt Shiel  on the shore of Loch Muick  a beautiful and atmostpheric place much loved by Queen Victoria. Loch Muick is a deep loch formed by the glaciers and is surrounded by mountains including Lochnagar and Broad Cairn. I'm extremely fond of this area and have spent many happy days running from Birkhall up Lochnagar and doing the circuit of the hills around Loch Muick. When feeling fit I would drop down into Glendoll and sometimes even add in Mayar and Driesh . This makes a long but fantastically satisfying round which was excellent training for the Ultra Tour du Mont Blanc (UTMB) race.

East from Cow Hill path

Morning view from Cow Hill 'contre jour' sketched a few weeks ago. Stunning light was filtering through the the trees with the dark hills silhouetted against the rising sun.

Some quick sketches

I painted a  two quick sketches on the way home tonight. Cloud was billowing over the Ben and Aonach Mor and was rapidly changing in the evening light. Patches of blue sky were still in evidence but there was an amazing range of clouds varying in colour from fluffy white through cream ,dark blue and almost black. When I started the first Ben Nevis was partly visible but soon completely disappeared under shifting cloud.

Ben Nevis partly obscured by cloud.

Aonach Mor

This afternoon I did some small watercolour pictures from my imagination to make into cards.

I've had a very busy week and sadly scarcely any time for sketching. The weather at the start of the week was good and at last the oaks are coming in to leaf . When the leaves first appear they have a distinct orange ,almost autumnal hue . This contrasts wonderfully with the bright greens of the other trees.
This weekend we went to Spittal of Glenshee to help out with the Cateran Trail Race run by our good friends Karen and George. For the first time there was the opportunity to run two loops of the 55 mile route. 12 brave souls embarked on the 110 mile race which is the longest ultra currently available in Scotland. We had a more relaxed time taking down marker tape and doing some sweeping ( checking on the back end runners). As normal Karen's organization was impeccable, and it was a great race. Mike Raffan was the first of the 110 milers in an incredible time of 22 hours 35 minutes. The 55 miler was won by Seal Howard in 8 hours 47 minutes 47 seconds  , the first lady home was Antonia Johnson in 9 hours 17 minutes and 26 seconds.
 The Cateran Trail must be one of the friendliest races around ,a great social event as well as a tough ultra. As it was 5 years since Karen took over the race I painted a picture of Footer castle ( a beautiful restored castle  on the route) for her.

I've added a print of this picture of Loch Lomond  and the Arrocar Alps to my Etsy shop.
We had a  wonderful run today. We got the train to Bridge of Orchy and ran back to Fort William , the forecast was bad but the weather turned out to be very good . Cool and dull at first it later became sunny and warm We never tire of the West Highland Way . Rhannoch Moor and Glencoe are sublime as is the Lairig Mor. I would have loved to do some sketching but we had to catch the train home so didn't have a lot of time to spare.

Glen Roy

Parallel roads at Glen Roy

Today I was up Glen Roy  and did a sketch of the valley showing the parallel roads . The tops were obscured by low cloud and it looked like rain but for once was dry all day . This time of year is the brief blissful period when it is warm and pleasant but there are no midges. It won't belong before they appear though and then standing still outside will be intolerable unless there is a strong wind. Being a runner is definitely a bonus- if you run fast enough the midges can't catch you!

View from the Ben  Nevis Inn

Had a day off today. I ran into the Fort and met H for lunch at the Ben Nevis Inn. It was a wet day so we were content to sit by the stove and watch others start up the Ben path. The Ben Nevis Inn is an excellent pub with rustic Swiss mountain hut feel . It has a large window looking out onto the Ben path and the very welcome aforementioned stove.There's good food, good coffee and good beer , what more could you ask for?

Evening view of Eigg and Rum

Eigg and Rum from Arisaig

Yesterday driving back from Morar the view of Eigg and Rum was stunning , did a very quick sketch because I couldn't find a good place to stop -eventually parking up on the verge .

Spring is here !

Loch shore at Blaich
This week I started running to work again . Even though it was wet and I was still suffering from the cold it was a joy . The birds were all singing - warblers , black birds and a cuckoo, everything was fresh and green with numerous  wild flowers - primrose,bluebells wood  sorrel as well as the glorious gorse and broom . Having not run to work for two weeks the difference in the countryside was immense.

I added to the picture I started on Cow Hill and managed to lick it into reasonable shape. It shows Loch Linnhe  as it turns the corner and becomes Loch Eil. In reality the buildings in the middle foreground are more more prominent but I find it difficult to show houses convincingly and I am much more interested in hills and lochs.

On Thursday I was in Kinlochleven a disappointingly dull day with a biting  cold wind.  I did a quick sketch of the Pap of Glencoe from across the loch. Apart from Thursday we have had some lovely spring weather this week. On Friday I got the bus to work and did some sketching from the Cow Hill path it was a glorious morning pristine and clear I would rather have run to work but sitting in the the sun sketching came a close second. Unfortunately I didn't have enough time to finish the picture, but I may be able complete it at a later  date.

Yesterday I was near Achnacarry home of the Clan Cameron and training centre for the Commandos in the war.it was a lovely warm  day although dulling over  by the time I did this sketch.For the first time since late last summer I'm  painting scenes full of green as the trees have leaves again.The gorse is in bloom adding a splash of yellow to the landscape.