Morning Light on Ben Nevis

It had been a very cold, clear and frosty night and the temperature was minus nine degrees centigrade when I left home. Mist lingered in the narrow defile that cradles the waters of Loch Lochy and on the slopes of the neighbouring mountains. But upon cresting the hill at Stronaba, Ben Nevis appeared directly ahead with its snow covered upper slopes beautifully illuminated by the early morning sunlight.

There were further tantalising views of the mountain in the breaks between the trees on the road between Gairlochy and Bunarkaig. However, the full majesty of the view was not revealed until I arrived at my chosen viewpoint at a break in the woodland encircling a small inlet in Loch Lochy. Here, from this frost covered hollow, the distant mountains shone brightly with a thin ribbon of cloud floating etherially across the summits of Ben Nevis, Carn Mor Dearg and Aonach Moor.

Framed perfectly by tall shadowy pines and frost covered heather, the whole scene was also perfectly reflected in the still waters of the loch. It was wonderful to be able to enjoy such a view once again after the frustrations of an enforced and lengthy lockdown.