A Bed With A View
Roll out of your tent in a stunning spot with a wild camping trip
A wild camping trip earns a fantastic morning view
AFTER a day in the hills the warmth of a good pub is a welcome treat. Why then would I walk past the Ben Lawers Hotel just as evening was coming on, the sun setting on a beautiful day and leaving behind a crisp evening?
My objective was simpler – to get up high enough to make an early start and see the sunrise from a mountain top. A farm track led me up and away from the comforts of modern life. I had a feeling of euphoria because I was truly getting away from it all.
Previous wild camping trips had been just as scenic but they all came in the middle of long distance walking routes. The fact that wild camping could also be an uncomplicated, fun thing to do on a day off somehow made it seem more joyous – a guilty pleasure almost.
The walk up the hill from the Ben Lawers Hotel was easy enough and actually so short that the extra backpack weight of a tent, stove etc was no hindrance. Pausing as the sun began to dip, I realised I had been walking at a fast pace, probably because of the excitement. But what was the rush? I had all night.
So numerous stops were made as the purple hue which covers the mountain landscape became a mesmerising sight. But time was slipping close to 10pm – sunset and a kind of deadline to get the tent up.
So, with a final kilometre of faster pace I arrived at a spot I’ve visited previously, by the Lawers Burn, and below the summit of Meall Greigh. This Munro – a Scottish mountain of more than 914 metres (3000 feet) – was to be the backdrop for my morning view.
The tent was easy to pitch on some grass amid the heather – it helps that I had pitched it countless times before, meaning I found it easier than putting on a duvet cover at home. Then came the best bit, staring at the Lawers group as the gloaming turned to night and the stars came out. I had brought a book, but who wants that distraction when there is so much to gaze upon?
Some wonder if such a situation is scary. Well, I was not likely to get mugged, the deer were well out of rutting season and ghosts only appear in stories. I made a quick brew and settled comfortably in for the night.
It was the middle of July, and sunrise was around 4.40am so I set my alarm for 3.30am in a bid to be up the hill in good time for a bit of sun worship.
I actually woke earlier, full of excitement, like a child on Christmas morning. Unzipping the tent I was met with a view of one thing – mist.
Undeterred, I set off up to the top of the Munro, reaching it well before the sun rose. This daily celestial occurrence did take place but the pesky precipitation meant I didn’t see it. I did however enjoy a great wee adventure.
It was then down to the tent and another brew before packing up and dropping down to the glen for a hearty breakfast – pubs can be welcoming at the start of the day as well.