Awesome Awe!

Just back from spending a few days (5th - 9th February) in Scotland at the Loch Awe Hotel perched on the banks of Loch Awe and surrounded by stunning scenery. (panoramic view here). Whilst most of Britain seems to have been covered in snow, rain and fog, we enjoyed cold, bright, sunny days at our Highland destination and whilst riding the Oban to Mull ferry and back, cruising on Loch Lomond, and travelling along the windy lochside roads. A dusting of snow added to our crossing the bleak Rannock Moor and passing through Glen Coe, accompanied by the haunting ballad of the infamous Glen Coe massacre.

O cruel is the snow that sweeps Glencoe
And covers the grave of Donald
And cruel was the foe that raped Glencoe
And murdered the house o' Macdonald.
They came in a blizzard, we offered them heat,
A roof o'er their heads, dry shoes for their feet.
We wined them, dined them, they ate of our meat,
And slept in the house o' Macdonald.
Chorus :
And cruel is the snow that swept Glencoe
And covers the grave of Donald
And cruel was the foe that raped Glencoe
And murdered the house o' Macdonald.
They came from Fort William with murder in mind,
The Campbells had orders, King William had signed.
Put all to the sword, these words underlined,
And leave non alive called Macdonald.
They came in the night when our men were asleep,
This band of Argylls, through snow soft and deep
Like murdering foxes amongst helpless sheep
They murdered the house o' Macdonald.
Some died in their beds at the hands o the foe,
Some fled in the night and were lost in the snow
Some lived to accuse him who struck the first blow
But gone was the house of Macdonald.

The sunshine returned for our visit to Fort William, but snowflakes swirled around us as we ascended on the Ben Nevis cable cars and enjoyed a hot choclate with the snow boarders.

Our days also included visits to Loch Long 'Rest and Be Thankful' and the black and white town of Invarary.