15 May 2010

Scotland Day 9: Hill Walking

On Saturday, our second last day in Scotland, we went for a hill walk. Scotland is known for it's walks, and hill walking is a really popular pastime. It encompasses anything from low-level walks and mountain climbing. And, despite what Oz told me about Scotland being full of frustrated mountain climbers, there are mountains, called Munros.


C picked the Conic Hill walk, and we added some length to it, and didn't back track after reaching the top. We carried on and walked down the hill, through some fields, then back along the road. It was a beautiful sunny and warm day. We started off around 10, and we'd pass people on the trail (or, they'd pass us), and everyone was in such a great mood.  There was this nice feeling of being a part of something. Everyone was just out for a nice stroll, enjoying the beginning of summer.

Both Alej & I were still sick. I was basically running on toast. In hindsight, I don't know how I made it up that hill. It was such a beautiful walk, though. Regardless of how little energy I had, I really enjoyed every minute.

It started in a little wooded area, with some awesome trees. 

Then we went up a little bit and through a kissing gate.
And after that it was just a lot of up.
We rested a bit at the top and took in the view. Then we headed down.




I'd like to take this opportunity to sing the praises of my hiking boots.  They're Keens and are hands down the most comfortable pair of shoes I have ever owned. I barely had time to break them in before the trip, but I didn't get a single blister. Everyone should buy these boots:

2 comments:

Mrs. F said...

Great pictures; as usual almost as good as being there. I've got a bit of Scottish in me and have always wanted to go....maybe some day.

Anonymous said...

Ben Nevis is the highest peak in Scotland, and at 1344m it barely qualifies as a hill. The VALLEYS in Banff and Jasper are at a higher elevation than that! So I stick with my lack-of-mountains-in-Scotland hypothesis.

-Oz