The Nevis Gorge (an afternoon)

[MAP] [PHOTO]

     This is another cracker, but like the Lost Valley (which it resembles in some ways) it is very popular - more so in fact. Drive up Glen Nevis as far as you can go. En route, you will pass a moderately large camp-site and a cluster of buildings which include a nice little restaurant and the youth hostel. Further on the glen becomes more wild and crosses the river where a scenic waterfall tumbles. This is Polldubh which is the location of my story of that name. The last bit of road is a trifle hairy. Don't try to take a caravan up there. Don't even take your car if you are at all doubtful about its width. The road is single track and very twisty. At the very end you will find a car park (CAR PARK 2 on the map) and you might even find a vacant slot. Don your boots (you're learning). The path is well marked and carries on where the road leaves off. Notice boards will tell you what a dangerous place it is. It can be if you take a dizzy spell or are a complete idiot. Otherwise it is fine and the narrowest and steepest places have handrails to steady you. (personally I hate these handrails). The climb is not as steep as the Lost Valley but the gorge on you right is very deep and spectacular. Gradually it rises to meet you. And then you emerge into another of those Shangri-Las. A place called Steall which appears to have a precipitous end-wall down which is one of the biggest cascades in the country. It does not end there however. It continues on the level for a long way inland and is one of the great "through passes" of Scotland which links up with a network of droving roads. The mountains around you are among our highest and they look grand (if you can see them that is). Over on the right, beyond the first area of flat grass the river is spanned by a wire-rope bridge by which climbers reach the wee hut on the far side called "Steall Bothy". The bridge is not for those who have trouble standing up or bending down. It's easy enough but harder than it looks and small people have difficulty reaching the high wire handrails. Take a few pictures of a brave friend on it and leave well alone. You can walk further up the glen which is now wide a spacious. Further on too, the river has some nice pools and falls to explore. Meander a while and then, reluctantly, and probably with wet feet, retrace your steps. Save it for a good day. This is one of the best.