Buachaille Etive Mor, Glencoe ( Pancreatic Cancer Enhanced Recovery Programme, Glasgow Royal Infirmary )

Over the years I have looked at this magnificent Glencoe munro from most directions – exploring behind it heading towards Glen Etive, or passing by on the A92 on my way to or from Fort William. As a student I even climbed halfway up the face of it, before descending precariously back down on an ever-moving scree slope. The experience felt a bit like running on marbles. It was on the Buachaille that the 1953 mountaineering team led by Sir Edmund Hilary, trained for their successful assault of Everest. Its toughness should not be underrated.

This photograph was taken while I was out with a stalking party, from the nearby Black Corries estate. We had climbed up from the old military road, starting out from near the Kingshouse Hotel. Eventually we were on a bouldery plateau, and the stalker had spied what he thought was a shootable stag. We edged nearer to get a better sight of the stag, and suddenly this view
appeared. It was quite unexpected, and is a dramatic view of Buachille Etive Mor in lovely light, taken from high above the A92 and the traffic.