Loch Lomond & the Trossachs: No More Driving Past
This week the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park gets my full attention, and I‘m very excited to discover what’s on offer.
Scotland is probably my favourite place on Earth. I’ve been to the Isle of Skye, Torridon, Applecross, the Isle of Arran, Glencoe… and in every instance of these visits I’ve drove through Loch Lomond and the Trossachs to get to them.
But no more.
This week the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park gets my full attention, and I’m very excited to discover what’s on offer.
Cumbria to Loch Lomond & the Trossachs
A journey of 168 miles, 3 hours.
This National Park was Scotland’s first, established in 2002. It features 21 Munros (a Scottish mountain over 3,000ft), the highest of which is Ben More (from Scottish Gaelic A’ Bheinn Mhòr, meaning “the great mountain”). South of Ben More there is no higher land in the British Isles. There are also 22 large lochs—with numerous smaller ones—the largest of which is Loch Lomond, the largest loch/lake in Great Britain by surface area (but not in the United Kingdom).
And if that’s not enough, the National Park also boasts two forest parks (Queen Elizabeth, and Argyll), two National Nature Reserves, 11 major waterfalls, and 57 special nature conservation sites.
Truly, it seems that the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park is an area filled with nature’s bounties.
Below, I’ve included some highlights of the National Park I’m looking forward to exploring.
“Hikers near Ben A'an summit” by Pampuco, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Devils Pulpit 5” by G_Mcfadden, licensed CC BY-NC 2.0.
“The Cobbler / Ben Arthur” by Dr. Nils Wiese, licensed CC BY-NC 2.0.
“Falls of Falloch” by August Schwerdfeger, licensed CC BY 4.0.
Hiking and Photography in South Wales
This year we’re spending two weeks in South Wales: first week in the Brecon Beacons National Park, and the second in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
It’s become something of a tradition in Casa del Hexabet to take a two-week hiking holiday somewhere in the UK. Typically this is somewhere in Scotland, which has led to wonderful experiences in Glencoe, Skye, Torridon, Arran, and more.
We love Scotland dearly. But sometimes, variety is good.
This year we’re spending two weeks in South Wales: first week in the Brecon Beacons National Park, and the second in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
I’ve only ever been to South Wales once, many years ago; I stayed with a load of friends at Castle Farm, near the tiny hamlet of Capel-y-ffin in the Black Mountains of the Brecon Beacons National Park. My memories were of lush, green valleys, rolling hills, sheep, a huge absence of people, and expansive views.
I was pretty much at the start of my photography journey back then, so I’m very much looking forward to expanding my South Wales experience with new eyes, especially around the Pembrokeshire coast, which I’ve never been to. Below, you can see some of my early attempts at capturing the scenes around the Black Mountains in the Brecon Beacons National Park.
Particular highlights I’m looking forward to in this year’s South Wales trip: Pen-y-fan, all the waterfalls, Llyn y Fan Fach, and practically the entirety of the Pembrokeshire Coastline.
Here’s to good light!