Harking Back to Scotland

Last September, I went on one of the most important holidays of my entire life.  After months of planning, learning to drive, researching cottages and buying a ring, I was going to ask my long-suffering girlfriend Grace to marry me.  Understandably, my nerves before embarking on this trip were almost insufferable - I had only had a car for a month, and was about to do a thousand mile round trip, and ask a question which, were I to be given the answer I didn't want, would mean an incredibly awkward and uncomfortable return journey!

Heedless, we set off for the highlands, and had an amazing time.  We visited Stirling, Aberdeen, Ballater and Crathes (amongst many other places), before on the Friday, going to Glen Muick.  This glen and loch are found down a 14 mile single lane road, in the middle of nowhere - literally.  Initially, we planned to go for a wonder down by the water, however Grace knew of a house 'a little way around' the loch which used to be a favorite retreat of Queen Victoria, and we wanted to go and see it.  As it turns out, 'a little way around' the loch, meant 'the other end', and we had a nice and unexpected 8 mile hike with a single thermos of tea, and 2 sausage rolls for lunch.  The weather was pretty terrible when we started off, with the sky being totally overcast, and fog and mist soaking us through our waterproofs.  I spent the walk, desperately hoping that the weather would improve, and also that the 'perfect' spot would present itself, for me to ask The Question.  Half way around the loch however, the weather was not improving, and we were starting to get eaten by the horrendous Scottish midges.  To make things even tougher, the single lane road which we had been following stopped, and the path became a goat track, on the side of a mountain - good thing we had bought walking boots especially!  3/4 of the way around the loch, the path widened again though, and I looked back to one of the most breathtaking views I have ever seen.  Looking back at Grace, I knew it was the right time, and, as I asked her the question, the clouds parted and the sun shone down on us.  It was utterly perfect.