![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmaTwTOxdK2EtVQm0gP4j8pcNRgooH2TxAYdti99dG_AYLYwzNNU94Y2oCT1WWgB3cN5EjncHiCB6rE-8ZQAyxp_lRiUWES4KQ_5xAfyHtHvHHut5OTkugdAOHYozd7yHinubn5oL_yBCN/w640-h426/Wild+Camps-11.jpg) |
On the Cairngorm Plateau, October 17
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It's the longest night after what, at times, has seemed the longest year. Soon 2020 will be over. I am very aware that living in the Highlands has meant I have amd have had more freedom than many. Even during the four months of lockdown with walks only from home I could step out of my door and explore forests and fields and moorland hills. Without that I am not sure how I would have coped.
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Strath Nethy, Cairngorms, March 3
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Unsurprisingly this year I had fewer wild camps than any year I can remember. I hadn't planned any long walks overseas and I feel deeply for those who had to cancel theirs. So much goes into the preparation, mentally as well as practically, that abandoning dreams must be really hard. I had intended on two long walks in the spring in the Highlands but I hadn't done much planning as these are home hills. With three of the best hill months for long walks in the lockdown period - April, May, and June - these walks were abandoned. I hope to undertake them next year.
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Glen Feshie, Cairngorms, February 2
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As it was, in the eight months I could travel I rarely ventured beyond the Cairngorms and never left the Highlands. Somehow familiar places felt reassuring, a fixed reality that was tangible in an uncertain and fluid world.
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Cairngorm Plateau with David Lintern, November 6 |
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I did camp during the lockdown months - in the garden. And in the remaining eight months I did have many fine camps in the woods and hills. There were frosts and sunshine and rain and wind and brilliant starry nights - I especially remember those.
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Glen Feshie, Cairngorms, February 1
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Strath Nethy, Cairngorms, with Alex Roddie, March 3
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Garden camp, June 23
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First camp after lockdown, by the River Eidart, Cairngorms, July 18
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Lochan Coire na Poite, Beinn Bhan, Applecross, August 10
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Below An Ruadh-stac, NW Highlands, August 24
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Glen Feshie, Cairngorms, with Carey Davies, September 9
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Cairngorm Plateau, October 16
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHMc6Qvi_Ls3D0POTQt2A5JdcwhKqhCOigFOi_f8tQ9ML2IYtvyT2ulIB61d3C2w-A_jkyEkHt6NxdCHhAs47QVvbUbRY3V5AyeqmjzJzWtZQw1AsE9Tnk3HahOYVap-K6vHJ3x5EUYZX/w640-h384/Wild+Camps-13.jpg) |
Cairngorm Plateau with David Lintern, November 7
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflxhi1a1zs-7yTIrfFyLAXaflucBmva_H44eKel1_kKoOcW6YpkyjoaLzhNMLPwELOp1jC2nEL1P-4Bz9th17_aPT7pCEuet5J0xfFfwRUgwLKRfZ2utytNj7bNVq51EgM9XPtXCZGO0E/w640-h426/Wild+Camps-14.jpg) |
Coire Garbhlach, Glen Feshie, Cairngorms, December 15
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