Wild Moment: Heather Graham

Inspired by Poetry at Work Day, Communications and Development Intern, Heather Graham, recounts her visit to Ben Nevis in June 2023.

One Summer's Day up a Mountain

3am. A brisk dark morning.
But Nevis calls my name.
A humble collection of supplies for a day.
And to the station my feet aim.

A sleeping Calendonian.
I find my seat and coorie in.
Rest my head till William's Fort.
Fae lull me to dreams. New adventure begins.

I awake to sunrise over Rannoch moor.
Mist creeping through all the Bens.
The final stop on the track is reached.
One more step towards the glen.

At basecamp the bus rolls in.
Let the uphill job commence.
Passing people. Sharing stories.
Makes the climb feel less intense.
 
Views of the valley. Painted masterpiece.
Souvenir sun blessed to my skin.
Such luck I have to call this work.
I pause in awe to take it in.

Lochan reached. A midway point.
Midges take their pound of flesh.
Scoff the rations. Brew a coffee.
Descend with energy afresh.

Banana skins and trash collected.
Duty done. Now to the inn.
A ginger beer and feast deserved.
Feat accomplished. A personal win.

Exhaustion draws me to the humble bed.
And I praise thanks for the right to roam.
New memories of Mamores whisper ‘haste ye back'
For these wild places in my heart are my home.

^ © Heather Graham - View down the Mountain Path to Glen Nevis, taken at roughly 520m (1706ft) elevation

Photo taken on/of Jahama Highland Estates land 

• There are four landowners at Nevis: John Muir Trust, Jahama Highland Estates, Nevis Landscape Partnership and Forest and Land Scotland. Read more about the land we care for on Ben Nevis here.
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