First weekend of winter, or last weekend of summer?

The weekend past could have been counted as the first of winter; the hills in the north had a good covering of snow down to around 700 m and the more dedicated climbers among us took the opportunity to nab the first winter routes of the season. Instead of reaching for crampons and axe I looked out bucket and spade and headed to the Big Sands campsite near Gairloch, keen to savour its delights one last time before it shuts up for the season. 

Since the lamentable closure of Achnahaird I rate Big Sands as the best beach campsite in Scotland - almost  like wild camping, but with flush toilets, a great selling point to those of us engaged in potty training. Sheltered pitches are available amid the dunes but I always prefer an elevated spot so I can take advantage of the exceptional views to Torridon, Skye and the Outer Hebrides. 

Looking south to the snow-dusted peaks of Torridon

Dancing sunbeams with Skye's Trotternish Ridge as backdrop