Rachel Mimiec, our NSA Artist in Residence, gives us another update on her work from Glen Nevis and Glencoe.

Over the past week I have been out with a few different walking groups. There is a great network of groups that you can access in the area; indeed if you choose to, you could be out every day sharing a walk with like minded people who enjoy landscapes and fresh air.

The Ramblers descend

With the local Rambler’s Association Lochaber and Lorn Group I climbed Meall Cumhann on a cold but beautifully sunny day, with great views of the snow topped Mamores. I think sometimes the little hills give the best scenic opportunities.

Step-it- up walkers

The Step-It-Up Highland (Ballachullish group) walk was a gentler amble to the Signal Rock and An Torr Glencoe, with good conversations about geology, history and forestry. Legend has it that the Signal Rock was the location where the signal to begin the Glencoe massacre was given early on the morning of 13th February 1692.

The Spey on Bridge Walkers took a circular walk in the Leanachan Forest and we made a little detour so I could see an Adit (a mine entrance), one of 22 that allowed access for material and men in the making of the tunnel system through Ben Nevis, a remarkable civil engineering feet that is very much part of the landscape.

Adit no. 9

My final walk of the week was with the Nevis Hill Walkers, to climb the Binnein Mor Munro (1130m). It was a whole days walking, mainly on a path but challenging enough for me, a novice walker. At the top it was foggy with patches of deep snow on sheltered slopes – very atmospheric. We spotted a flock of snow bunting as we descended and we were mesmerized by a herd of deer as they ran up the face of another hill; barely visible when standing still but on the move they became darting shadows.

Nevis walkers’ shadow

Many thanks to all of the groups for welcoming me along and for sharing their landscape and local knowledge.