I would like to talk about a hiking trip to the Scottish Highlands that I had to call off at the eleventh hour a couple of winters ago. My brother and I had planned a five-day break around Glencoe. We were both desperate for some fresh air and a proper escape from our busy jobs, so we had been looking forward to it for months.
In terms of arrangements, everything had been sorted out well in advance. We had hired a sturdy four-wheel-drive car, booked a secluded stone cottage near a loch, and invested in some decent thermal gear. We had even mapped out our daily walking trails and bought tickets for a scenic boat tour. To be honest, it was organised down to the finest detail.
However, just two days before we were due to set off, a severe weather warning was issued across the region. An intense blizzard struck northern Scotland, resulting in widespread travel chaos, closed mountain passes, and power cuts. The cottage owner actually rang us directly to advise against coming, as local authorities were urging people to stay off the roads. Ultimately, we had no choice but to pull the plug on the whole excursion.
Naturally, I felt bitterly disappointed at the time because we had built up so much anticipation. It felt like a massive let-down after all the effort we had put in. Having said that, once I saw the news footage of stranded motorists in freezing conditions, my frustration quickly turned into relief. In hindsight, it was definitely the sensible call, even if it took the wind out of our sails for a few days.