Day Three 30 04 25
Today, I spent time sitting in the landscape. The weather was fair, a bit breezier than yesterday but still warm, with a slight mist and more cloud coverage. The ground felt drier compared to the previous day. I dressed appropriately for the conditions, wearing a light windproof jacket, a jumper, wellies, and a hat. This outfit kept me comfortable throughout my time outdoors.
I set up my bivvy tent, which is an easy-to-assemble pop-up shelter. Although the wind was only about 1.5 out of 10 today, I found it somewhat challenging to set up my slightly flimsy shelter tent.
As I sat quietly in the landscape, I gained a new perspective. The sounds of raven caws caught my attention, and I peered outside my bivvy tent. To my surprise, two ravens were engaged in an altercation with an eagle. I believe the eagle to be a golden eagle. I base this identification on the size and plumage characteristics, as sea eagles are generally larger and often display a flash of white on their tail feathers, this is often visible during flight.
I watched, the ravens and the eagle engage in an aerial display, gliding and diving through the sky. The ravens’ caws fill the air, while the eagle drifts higher and higher, seemingly unbothered. Today, these birds own this airspace, and I feel privileged to witness their interaction. The sound of raven caws and the sight of these birds gliding and diving in the sky is a truly exhilarating experience.
I spent three hours immersed in the landscape, sketching and observing the surroundings. During this time I encountered two solitary eco walkers. So far the walkers have all been solitary men of varying ages each of whom came from different parts of Europe—Poland, Germany, and the UK.
From my vantage point, I watched both the two of the walkers, at different times, taking the same wrong turn. It was only a short distance off course, but one of them seemed visibly distressed by this mistake. They were not walking together; each was on his own journey. When they came across me they seemed pleased to engage in a short conversation, I was also able to reassure them of the correct route.
It struck me how well-prepared these walkers were and had to be for this journey. They had clearly done their homework about the route ahead. I found myself imagining what it must be like to traverse this unfamiliar terrain—desolate and foreboding as it is. The weather, for the past few days has been great – however, I know that conditions change rapidly in this region.
Walking the Hebridean Way is no small feat; it presents a real adventure for those brave enough to take on its challenges. It’s fascinating how modern technology—social media platforms and informative apps—have instilled a sense of confidence in these adventurers.
Nicola Neate 