06-Jun-2003 -- We were in the area to attend the 1998 Annual Bad Hat Convention in the nearby town of Fort William (this was postponed in 1996 due to the 2001 UK milliners strike). So, armed with suitable headgear to fend off the midges we set off to conquer 57N5W. As we parked the car, we couldn’t help but notice that we were at sea level, which meant that, according to Helga and Martin, we had 660m to climb. But this was no ordinary 660m climb. This was a very steep initial climb up a path that would have challenged even the late great Thora Hird in a Souped Up Turbo Stannah Stairlift (it’s a British thing!). Once up the first few hundred metres, it was a wee walk beside a river to the foot of the hill, which was the home to our confluence. Yes, once again, another Scottish Confluence up in the clouds. Have you noticed all English confluences are conveniently placed beside motorway cafes or in people’s conservatories (not really). Gordon Spence, you may have bagged all English confluences but here and now I throw down the gauntlet, get yourself up a few more challenging Scottish Confluences and I'll venture South and jump over some fences into English fields. So up another steep incline we hiked. Wind blowing, rain threatening as usual. Two and a half hours later, we got there and it was the usual hugging and tears of joy and a toast to the Monarchy and all who sail in her. Once again the shot North was of the rest of the hill. I left John to finish off the ninth verse of The National Anthem, whilst I bravely ventured up a few more metres into the clouds. I left a message on the Queens mobile to wish her another happy 50 years on the throne. My Sherpa informed me that my mascara was running. It had been a momentous day.