Tuath Air A’ Bhealach (North of Balloch)

Only child Robyn was born and brought up in Balloch, Alexandria, though now lives in her own flat in Glasgow, working in a mid-range Furniture and Home Accessories shop – think ‘Habitat’ as was, but not as good quality. Her planned autumn holiday to the sun with Richard is cancelled as his Dad is being moved into a Nursing Home in England. Robyn decides to use the week to explore unchartered territory – North of Balloch. She boards the morning train – Glasgow – Mallaig at Dumbarton Central with an open agenda and no mobile phone. She soon meets attractive, woman of the world, Fi, sitting opposite and eventually asks if she can accompany her in the hills from Corrour. Robyn is out of her depth in many ways, and when she and Fi eventually reach The Bothy, she is exhausted and vulnerable. Ex-army, Jake, greets them with brusque bravado and bad language. Paulo, from Italy, arrives later – caught in Jake’s man-trap. The sun has long gone down, the four have eaten and drank a bit and the vibe is good with a warm stove in the corner. Why not share personal stories, never before revealed to others? hy not, indeed?But, you might tell the ‘wrong’ story and that might seriously offend with unexpected consequences.