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SCOTLAND WOMEN’S CURLING TOUR USA 2022
“We may get weary, but not weary of each other. We are sisters and we are there for each other”
TEAM LOCH MAREE VISIT LOCH MAREE
Loch Maree a fresh water loch in Wester Ross in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland. At 13.5 miles longand 2.5 miles wide, it is the fourth largest freshwater loch in Scotland.
It has over 60 islands The largest island, Eilean Sùbhainn, contains a loch that itself contains an island, a situation that occurs nowhere else in Great Britain.
The loch is important for wildlife. It is the site of one of the largest breeding concentrations of black-throated diver in Great Britain, and also holds an important population of otter. The islands of Loch Maree are the location of some of the best native Caledonian pinewood in Scotland, and are particularly noted for their dragonflies, with 12 species having been recorded.
The most prominent mountain on the northern side of Loch Maree is Slioch, one of Scotland's Munros (a mountain over 3,000 ft (910 m) high), which dominates the eastern end of the loch above Kinlochewe. Other peaks on the northern side include Beinn Àirigh Charr and Beinn Làir, both of which are classified as Corbetts.
The southwestern side of Loch Maree is also mountainous, comprising the Torridon Forest. The most prominent peak is Beinn Eighe, which is capped with white quartzite.
Our Rink comprising Ann Gibb, Mara Lindsay, Fiona Glascodine and Jackie McQueen followed the Beinn Eighe Woodland trail experiencing at first hand the magnificent scenery and thankfully avoiding the ferocious local midgies.
Thomas Pennant, writing in 1772, recorded that the waters of the loch were thought to have curative effects, with being submerged in the water thought to be a cure for lunacy.
Our group did not venture into the water and so are still untreated lunatics.
Like Loch Ness, Loch Maree has its own monster in the form of the muc-sheilch ……..although he/she didn’t show face while we were there
Our rink got together, hosted by Ann Gibb at her home in Tore on the Black Isle. Arriving on Monday, we toured local attractions including Culloden, A battlefield where Bonnie Prince Charlie’s troops were decisively routed in 1746 ending his attempt to restore a Stuart to the British Throne.
While the battlefield itself is bleak and haunting, it is not particularly photogenic.
However, having “done” the Visitor Centre, we stopped at Leanach Cottage Black house – a thatched building without chimney making its interior very black indeed!
We then visited Cawdor Castle, one of the true historic locations made famous in Shakespeare as the home of “Macbeth”
We then moved on to Ann’s lovely house where we opened the first bottle of prosecco and settled into our luxury accommodation.
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We enjoyed a lovely walk after our evening meal and enjoyed our pudding even more watching the sunset when we returned
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In the morning we headed off for Loch Maree and arrived in glorious sunshine
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We enjoyed the Beinn Eighe woodland trail – A challenging climb but well worth the effort for the stunning scenery.
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......before heading on to visit Loch Ewe and Inverewe Gardens which have many semi-tropical plants as it is warmed by the Gulf Stream
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Our evening meal was punctuated by the high drama of the Scotland – Croatia Football match and we both celebrated then drowned our sorrows as we watched.
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Our final morning was spent touring Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal before Ann dropped us at Inverness Station.
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A Fun - Bonding few days and “Team Loch Maree” are now set to take on the World.
Many thanks Ann for sharing your home and hospitality and being our chauffeur and guide on our trip - It was AWESOME!!
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