Coire Mhic Nobby-uil

One of Gail and my favourite Torridon walks is the low level route along Coire Mhic Nobuil, between the stark, precipitous peaks of Liathach, Beinn Dearg's forbidding buttresses and the somewhat gentler curves of Beinn Alligin. The start point is only about two miles from the cottage, and within just a couple of minutes of leaving the car park you are striding (or trotting) through scenery of awe-inspiring grandeur, as close to a pristine wilderness as anywhere you'll find on our crowded island.

A narrow, stony path up leads you up the glen, alongside the trail a crystal clear mountain stream cascades over the ancient Torridonian rocks, and if you're lucky you might spot a golden eagle soaring above. Us pups can roam free - no farm livestock for us to worry, but the occasional excitement of a red deer to chase!

The land is owned by the National Trust for Scotland so one would assume it to be safe from any unwelcome developments.

Not so!

How horrid to learn of a plan to disfigure this precious landscape by installing a 25 m tall telecommunications mast right in its heart.The proposed mast would be highly visible to the many hikers (and of course their dogs) who treasure the area for its unspoilt character, but it would do nothing to enhance mobile connectivity for local communities or businesses. To access the mast for maintenance, the path would need to be widened to allow vehicles in, and the whole experience of venturing into Coire Mhic Nobuil would be quite altered, and not for the better.

I am pleased to report that Gail has formally objected to the mast proposal and will be attending a public meeting in the Torridon Community Centre, organised by the National Trust for Scotland on Monday evening. 

I do really hope this eyesore is never built.

Oh and did I just spot a vole?