Monday, December 19, 2005

Loch Coruisk




I was reading a colour supplement on Saturday when I came across an article on a remote mountain fastness in Bhutan. One of the photographs looked strangely familiar, and I realised that it bore an uncanny resemblance to Loch Coruisk.

Loch Coruisk nestles beneath the Cuillin Ridge on the Isle of Skye. The Cuillins are undoubtedly the most spectacular mountain range in the British Isles. Composed of the hard volcanic rock gabbro, they are proper fairy tale mountains with jagged serrated peaks.

It’s hard to believe that this small island contains a landscape that is the equal of any in the world. Parts of the Alps, Himalayas, or Rockies may be spectacular on a larger scale, but in terms of sheer elemental grandeur the Cuillins stand comparison with them.

Weather permitting; I shall be visiting the Cuillins on Boxing Day. I can’t imagine a better way to work off the indulgences of Christmas, or escape the tawdry commercialism.

17 comments:

M said...

Yippee! I'm first!! Those mountains do indeed look like the Rockies. I am constantly amazed at how incredibly beautiful Scotland is and your pictures make me want to go there all the more. :-)

S.I.D. said...

I think it looks a boring place

garfer said...

Hmmm... are you by any chance the reincarnation of coldearth s.id?

S.I.D. said...

Oh you Sherlock!

Missed you all, yes even you garfer:)

garfer said...

Welcome back!

We assumed you had overdosed on reindeer sausage and gone to meet your maker.

Sniffy said...

Wonderful, you lucky bastard.

And you're right about Britain boasting such a wonderful and varied landscape; we're all pretty lucky I suppose.

S.I.D. said...

Trouble at pit lad. Details to follow,but an eventful few weeks to say the least.

garfer said...

The problem is that most people in this country aren't even aware that places like this exist.

Mybe its lack of publicity, or just plain apathy, but most people seem to assume that you have to go abroad to experience landscapes like these.

garfer said...

More likely a hip flask of malt whisky or brandy.

S.I.D. said...

And a slice of Tina's Chrimbo cake

garfer said...

Minus the cheese.

Alex M said...

Looks amazing, Garfer.

We'll have the use of a car over the Chhristmas period. Can you recommend any places of particular scenic beauty that might be within easy driving distance of Glasgow?

Peevish McSnark said...

Lovely! Bet it's cold, though. Wrap up warm, now.

garfer said...

Alex
The closest day trip from Glasgow is the Trossachs. Not as spectacular, but with their own charm.

Bronwen
Probably mild and damp with zero visibility knowing my luck.

Sniffy said...

You're not having any of my cake. It's just for me and my dawg.

Kyahgirl said...

This looks very much like several places I've been in the Rockies. Beautiful!

garfer said...

I've been to Lake Louise. That was magnificent.