From the purple dyeshed...

We have had so much rain over the last few weeks that the hills are a little, ummmmm, slushy!  So we decided to make it easy on ourselves and on Peggy and Lexie and we headed for the Little Assynt All Abilities Path near Lochinver for a stroll.  The path network is surrounded by high anti-deer fencing, but they still linger close by the gates:



The path network allows for very easy walking, but there is still much to see.   Although we're now well into winter and at first glance everything looks brown, there are still treasures to be found.  The birch was looking stunning:



And the lichens are putting on quite a show too:



Old Man's Beard is one of my favourite lichen.  Green isn't one of my favourite colours, but I love the delicate colour of this particular lichen.  Here it was adorning the tree like tinsel:



But I like it best when I see it clinging tightly to the rocks:



Most of the crevices  hide a few gems:



Before setting off I may have had a bit too much coffee, so I had to visit one of the two conveniences.  I hesitated, as they are compost toilets, and I wondered what they'd be like inside, but I can confirm that they are absolutely spotless, are well stocked with loo roll and even have a supply of hand wipes.  Peggy was determined to keep guard though!



She hasn't really let me out of her sight since returning from Australia.  I don't think I've quite been forgiven yet.

If you do find yourself in this part of the Highlands, don't dismiss the path network - it is well worth wandering around.  It was rather overcast and driegh today, but the views are still lovely.