The problem with agreeing to go hillwalking on a certain date is that you can’t wimp out when the weather forecast is rubbish. Our plan was to do the Coulags circuit, which runs northwest from near Achnashellach. According to MWIS the prognosis was not good, though: below zero temperatures at summits, and as low as minus 22 Celsius with the aid of the wind. Admittedly the circuit wouldn’t be take us above 600m, but with all the snow and cold weather of late, it still wouldn’t be a day for shorts and t-shirts.

With extra layers of clothes we managed to lock out the cold, thankfully, and we were rewarded with a magnificent walk. It is a stunningly beautiful part of the word, and very desolate, with not another walker to be seen. The only company came in the form of two deer we spotted early on, and the evidence of past walkers at a bothy.

The path providing some great views of Munros and at one point a view northwest towards what we assumed was Loch Torridon or thereabouts. There was plenty snow around on the ground, and some lochs were partly frozen, providing some great photo opportunities. But if you hung around too long in one spot with gloves off and camera in hand, the icy wind was bitter and uncompromising.

But sometimes you have to battle hard for the rewards, and I was moderately pleased with my photo haul. Check out the results here on Flickr.