Don't come to Scotland in December, it's horrible

Tomorrow afternoon it appears the weather is going to break. We've timed this to perfection. Hell, it's been clearer and more calm these last few days than the entire week we had on Skye in May, followed by the week on Lewis. There was a moment today as we walked back from Craig to Diabaig when we were stopped taking in the view, and there wasn't even any noise from the fishing boats out to sea. The wind had dropped from a gentle whisper to a total absence. There was nothing but the blue sky, the amber landscape, and us.

Not a soul seen on the entire walk, which was just perfect, given it's back to the city tomorrow.

Okay, so on this trip we haven't seen any otters, pine martens or golden eagles; but the weather has been perfection, and we've still been joined by a few stags, and then today some wild goats down on the pebbly beach that was our lunch stop. We haven't gone out for dinner, but most places are closed for the off-season, and Applecross is an hour away on a winding road in the pitch black. The option of sitting in tonight by the woodburner, indulging in some cheese, and being able to have a couple of beers, wins out pretty easily.

It has been about as perfect a mini-trip as could have been hoped for. As ever it's just a pity it has to end back in 'civilisation'.