Here’s another blog from Chris, ranger at Keldy & Cropton in Yorkshire. This time, he goes north of the border to visit his colleagues at the Argyll site and gives an insight into the treasures that await you.
I was due some holiday, and being keen on walking and climbing, decided on a trip to Bonny Scotland with a couple of nights’ camping at Ardgarten. After a six-hour journey I arrived in the seaside town of Arrochar, and was greeted by the smell of sea air and hailstones. Well, I thought, hailstones in April is probably the norm here, and I waited for the bus to take me the two miles to the Argyll site.
Greeted by friendly colleagues who immediately supplied me with a much-needed brew, it didn’t take long to realise what a great place this was to work. John showed me to a cracking little pitch overlooking Loch Long, and as the sun tried to break through, a glorious rainbow spread across the head of the loch. I had a fitful sleep with the sound of the sea lapping at the shingle beach.
After a couple of nights, I packed up for pastures new, and taking into account Scotland’s fantastic access laws, I decided to wild camp out in the mountains. Leaving the site to climb over The Brack and Ben Donich (two of Scotland’s 221 corbetts – in other words, mountains between 2500-3000ft), I found a cracking site up the side of Beinn an’ Lochain.
Searching for the perfect spot, I climbed above the tree line and was amazed and surprised to see a small group of Red Deer stags. I had the jump on them and I quickly crouched down and cautiously opened my camera case. I managed to take a few photos before they became too startled and retreated over the hillside. Seeing these magnificent beasts so close really made my holiday. If I could just have seen some Red Squirrels my hols would have been complete!
I would urge anyone to go up to Argyll. Whether it’s staying in the luxury of a cabin or going a bit wild in a tent, I can heartily recommend it. A big thank you must go to the staff at Ardgarten: John, Frances, Richard and Stephen. Thanks for your friendly welcome and assistance. And to manager Juliette, well done on running a fantastic site. I will be back.
