Glen Orchy duo with Dewey

My good friend Caroline and I headed North with Bella, the effervescent spaniel. I had tried to bag these two last Christmas Eve but was blown off before getting half way up. A much more benign day was in store. As we headed on to the hill, we aimed for the quartzite line of rock, which can be seen from afar on the A82 above Loch Tulla. Rock!! Mountains! It seemed an age since I had been out and it was invigorating. The heart was pounding as we ascended and the view across to Beinn an Dothaidh was stunning in the Autumn glow. Finally, we began to level off and approached the cairn as the clag also approached. The detritus of a radio mast lies up there and is an eyesore. It was wheeled up but seemingly is not able to be dragged back down with gravity. The landowner should be shot with his own .22. I would gladly do it.

A careful compass reading saw us down by the bealach and our 2nd hill of the day appeared - it seemed relatively steep but offered little resistance and as we approached the cairn, the scene across the glen to the Auch 5 and co was fabulous. We took tea and had food, while Bella begged (besom Jimmie?) for food. We caught up on all that had happened to us in the previous 6 months and it easily occupied a good 5 hours. It's good to talk. And walk. Cheers Caz.

Cul Beag

I had been waiting for a hill like you to come into my life.....feeling musical tonight. A week in Achiltibuie meant brief escapades with permission to bag hills and be home within the 5 hour limit. Deal. Previous deposits made into the emotional bank account meant a withdrawal was not going to put me overdrawn. The road back from aforementioned community to the main road is a 16-mile single track road, which is hard to drive quick on - unless of course you are local, for which the laws of physics and etiquette are defied. The weather was certainly mixed - torrential downpours with sun splitting the skies - this would have to be finely timed. I left the car just West of the cottage at Linnerainneach and tramped along the road until I detected the excellent stalker's path. Rampaging across the glen, I reached the small lochan agus climbed towards the steep face of Cul Beag. It is a domineering peak from this direction and any hope of attempting Lurgainn Edge were dashed when the rain enveloped me. I made for the North bealach and bade hello to a rambling club instead. 

From the bealach, things began to get rather beautiful indeed. The views North and West to Stac Pollaidh and Suilven irrespectively were stunning. Then, the heavens opened up and the temperature dropped several degrees. I was thankful for my Winter gear! The steep path zig-zagged but gained height rapidly. Hard to believe but I was at the summit within 75 minutes, privy to a fierce wind, which announced Winter was on its way. From here, it was a tremendous vista across Inverpolly. Some of the finest views of Scotland for me. There is something quite magical about Coigach and beyond - here there be faeries and dragons and ex-girlfriends who make Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction look positively adorable. I climbed round to the South-West prow and admired the huge drop below me. I had suggested to Slawek, a WHlander, that we could do this together but I had to take the opportunity to grab this and when we eventually met up to do Canisp, several days later, he mentioned that he was disappointed on more than one occasion. However, sorry seemed to be the hardest word for me and I thoroughly enjoyed my solo rocket-man day out. While company is fine, I am beginning to realise that my time, is my time and it affords a mental re-charging of the batteries, the soul and the spirit. Basically, I am an unsociable sod. The descent back to the car was tinged with sadness that another beautiful experience in this amazing area was at an end. A fantastic sortie. Not to mention, the most divine post-hill fish supper experience in Ullapool. And a pickle - does life get any better?

Poles apart on Canisp

I was off to do Canisp with a local lad, Slawek. Originally from Poland, he had been here for 6 years and was settled into Scottish life with his girlfriend. Indeed, such was his nous for things Scottish, that he corrected me on my use of the Gaelic - hats off. We met at the car park just N of Loch Awe and began the very boggy tramp over the first km. Unfortunately, Slawek's poles were gubbed and were confined to his backpack. After that, the ground was as stony for such a prolonged time as I can ever recall being on a hill. Our quick pace and chance to catch up about all things hummocky, footbally and lifey meant that it wasn't long before we were on the shoulder of the hill and approaching the last 1km. Unfortunately, what started out as a nice enough day turned into a pea-souper and our summit view was the inside of the admittedly lovely cairn. I was convinced that we could wait and the grand view of Suilven would come into focus. While, fleeting glimpses of the North face and the lochs appeared and offered hope, we were denied for another day. All that remained was the easy trudge back to the car via a 'look' at the North-Easterly screes. This was a simple day out which offered much but a chance to return in Winter on a clear day is definitely on the cards.

Sgor Mor to it than meets the eye

It has been quite a few months. The Olympics were fantastic to watch but it's the ones in the background we need to thank who keep things going smoothly. Like me.  On-call Olympic duty has played havoc with my summer plans and I had been limited to quick sorties here and there. In fact, I hadn't had a wild camp for over a year. My initial plans to tackle the troublesome 2, Sgarsoch and Fhidleir were massively in disarray when I crawled into Braemar at 1700 with a kaput VW. Not impressed especially considering the car was only 5 months old. 2 hours later and a manny fae Huntly came to fix it - simply a loose lead, which was connected and I was good to go. At 1915, I would maybe have a couple of hours walking and from Linn of Dee, I didn't think I'd get near the two hills and have a smooth walk back out the day after. I therefore decided to take things a little easier and catch a sunrise from Sgor Mor.
Now, there have been some fantastic trip reports from this Corbett, notable Alastair S and Kinley's. Any hopes of replicating their magnificent vista were kicked into touch when the heavens opened, just as I arrived at the Linn of Dee. The laws of physics suggest that all that rain should crush midges to the ground but somehow, they appear to hover mystically in between, while voraciously descending upon me. They didn't even let me get changed properly and I must have been parked and walking within 2 minutes. I decided to plunge through deep heather and get to high ground as fast as possible and the sweat was now mixing with the incessant downpour. This wasn't the night of relaxation I had envisaged. No matter, I ploughed on and it was incredible how quickly darkness fell. I decided to set up tent about 3 km from the summit and was delighted to get out of my damp gear and settle into my sleeping bag. My wife laughed at my 'poor me' voice and said she was just having a nice, warm bath. Thanks dear.
I listened to a few tunes and the rain and amazingly slipped off to sleep until 0500. Sometimes you need to go through the s**t to find the good stuff and I was blessed with a cracking sunrise and some unexpected views over to the 'gorms. There were a couple of pools marked into boulders, which were very interesting and it is always good to have a meander over a mountain rather than place the stone on the cairn and return as one arrives. My walk back to the car was very relaxing although I was less impressed with the ever-welcoming insect party which began the exsanguination process at the car. It wasn't the camp or Munro haul I had planned but nonetheless, it was a fantastic experience being out in the hill once again.

The 50th - Morven

Having initially never been interested in the hills less than 3000 ft, I have had a real change of heart since I set foot on the Cobbler and Stac Pollaidh. I am the converted and I'll do the preaching. Heading home to see my folks for a weekend, I perused the hills in the North-East, which were yet to be done and because I'm a little bit OCD for numbers, I was happy to hit my 50th Corbett on Morven. A late start meant that I was away from work at 1207 and at Logie Coldstone for 1500. It didn't turn out to be as relaxed a walk for several reasons. After having started, at about 300m, I looked back down to see a pursuer. Secondly, any momentary pause was taken advantage of by invertebrates, which either wanted my sweat or my blood. I therefore motored to the top in just over an hour and 10 minutes and pointed out to a local couple from Aboyne that they must sign the log book. And deposit some money. "How will I know you won't pinch it?" she jokingly said. Reason 3 to get down before these folk did in order to retain my sense of propriety and bonhomie. And so a quick run off the hill saw me at the car in 2 hours. I had a little time to appreciate Mount Keen and Bennachie in the distance but I'll definitely return for the 'big hill' in Winter, in order to fully take in this wee gem.

The Merrick has merit

Whilst staying en famille in Lochinvar, a lovely isolated mansion in Dumfries-shire, I took time to bugger off and grab this solitary Corbett, which was outstanding from my Southern Upland count. The drive from Lochinvar winds its way through the Galloway forest in some exquisite countryside and the drive along Glentrool was equally as fine. The weather was beautiful and conscious of my time, I fair rattled up the excellent path to Culsharg. There were steamy windows but I didn't stop to see if there was movement in the back seat and so progressed through the forest, while swatting away persistent invertebrates. Once up on to Benyellary, I was free from fly-life and I took time to rehydrate and admire the sweeping slopes of the Merrick. Unfortunately, the cloud was sitting at about 750m so I was not privy to any amazing views. Loch Enoch flitted in and out of the cloud, as did Mullwharchar and while I could easily have combined that and Craignaw, I didn't want to be away for too long as I was on curry duty. A wild camp plan was hatched or perhaps a wee bothy stay from the East and Tunskeen. My return trip over Buchan Hill was fine and I was round the circuit in just under 4 hours, which was pretty good going. Once home, I found out that my sister in law was in hospital and not too well, so glad to have been out of the way of the likely consternation. Pretty sure, other things will hatch over the next few days. Fingers crossed.

The Auch 3 of 5

It was hot. As hot a day as i can remember in recent times. At 25C, at 0900, I was perhaps a little optimistic that I could do the Auch 5 but I'd see how the day panned out. The climb up Beinn Odhar was more or less straight up and within the hour, I was at the cairn. Great visibility and a welcome breeze. Not so great were the two cans of Carlsberg tucked away in the cairn. I hope if someone Googles Carlsberg and Beinn Odhar, it comes up with arseholes. You'll know who you are. It was a fair descent and re-ascent over to Chaorach and en route, I came across a freshly decomposing sheep. It looked rather malevolent with its blackened face and empty orbital sockets. How morbid. I would later find a dead lamb but chose not to photograph it. The walk over to Cam Chreag was quick and I had bagged the 3 Corbetts in a little over 3 hours. However, I had only taken a couple of litres of water on this trip and was drinking a lot. I decided to leave the last 2 Corbetts for Winter and head down whereupon I happened across a hirpling gentleman. I asked if he was okay and he wasn't. I offered to drive him back to Tyndrum but as he was ultimately heading to Glasgow, I offered to drive him back there. Enjoyed meeting Ann's Bob and good to make your acquaintance - hope you enjoyed your pint in the Admiral! Glad to be the adjuvant.

Beinn nan Caorach and Beinn na-h-Eaglaise

These two hills are at the far end of the road to Arnisdale, which initially rises over the Ratagan pass and it takes a wee drive to get to them. I combined them with Beinn Sgritheall, which was a fine circuit although the descent off the 2nd Corbett to the bealach was very slippy and in snow or wet conditions, would be almost suicidal. Do NOT follow the fence posts as they will lead you above a very steep crag. Best to head WNW from the summit. Beinn-na-h-Eaglaise looks fine from the North and rises imperiously, with sharp drops to the West and East - it is a fine viewpoint down to Loch Hourn and over to the Munro.

William's Leap before home

After Beinn na Cloiche and the re-ascent up on to this hill, Craig was beginning to flag. It was the first time he'd taken the heavy pack on to the hill and an uncomfortable sleep would begin to wear at his spirit. However, once at the sizeable cairn, it was good to know it was all down-hill back to Corrour and civilisation once more. This is a great hill in itself and only stand 4.5m short of being a Munro. The bog 400m from the train station is not so welcome - definitely one for a hot summer's day or the depths of Winter. The station was shut which rankled.

Tor-ific time on Conachcraig

After being battered in the NW, a visit to the folks then saw my return to Glasgow go through my favourite part of the country - the 'gorms. I had long fancied Conachcraig for a clear Winter's day and this was to be it. I started at 1200 and was on the top by 1400. I deliberated on this walk and enjoyed the small things, which I certainly never had time to appreciate in Kintail or on Little Wyvis. The ice formations were notable as were the dark crags of Lochnagar. I spoke to a chap who was coming back down and there was much agreement as to how lovely a day it was. The path up from the cottages is brilliant - others have noted that it doesn't feel like an ascent - it really doesn't but the height gained is very satisfying and means that you are at the large tors, in short time. I just love the impressive tors in the 'gorms. I faffed about on them, hid under them, tried some odd photo angles on them and generally acted the goat. Not a soul about. There was a bitter wind at the top so after my lunch, I returned over the Eastern bump and down through the forest. I spotted a wild camp location just off the plateau, which will come into use this summer. The deer here quietly appraise and do not appear to be very fearful of man. The walk back to the car along the path was an end to an invigorating stroll. A super little hill.

Little Poopy on Little Wyvis

I had stayed in the Cnoc hotel and was really looking forward to bagging some of the Glen Cannich munros. However, after a lovely full breakfast, my drive back down to Cannich was almost ended as the roads were sheet ice. I did attempt once to start up the glen road but it resulted in a triple Golf salco and I decided nothing was happening in this area today. As I had business in Inverness to attend to that evening, I figured a trip up Little Wyvis could be just the ticket. And it would also give me the chance to get 'Poopy' out for a walk too. My wife realises the complexities of my job and as an epidemiologist who specialises in analysing parasites etc from poop, she made me one from god-knows-what material. Anyway, off we set and the normally fantastic path up to Ben Wyvis was also iced up. It was dodgy stuff until the forest ended over the burn and I ascended up beside the fence rather than continue up to the beach at 500m. Views back across to the hills (the Fannaichs?) looked nice but a front was definitely moving in. I was surprised how quickly the cairn came into view but I had no markers or views to let me know if I was near it or not as the sun just couldn't penetrate the clag. At the cairn, I took a wee shot of Poopy. Then, out of the gloom a young family and friend came forth. I gave up my seat for them as they had 2 young children, who looked perished. Poor wee things. Exchanged camera-taking duty and it was off back via my ascent route. The sun did poke out briefly as I looked over at Ben Wyvis and while I haven't been lucky with the weather, I have enjoyed the couple of days up North.

Last minute diversion to Auchnafree Hill

This had meant to be a trip N for a bothy excursion into the Cairngorm. A bad crash on the A9 had shut it and diversion to Crieff meant that I was seriously considering what to do next. I decided to take in Auchnafree Hill and see how I would feel after it. Well, I couldn't' even drive up to the dam as the road was treacherous so I left the car at the turn off for the Scottish Hydro Office and walked up from there. I decided early on to go in over Coinneachean Hill and I really enjoyed the walk with the Loch on the left and the large cairns scattered over the plateau. The view over to the 'boring' Ben Chonzie looked fab and I cannot for the life of me understand people who call hills 'boring'. It usually extends to their lack of imagination or perfunctory ticking of a box rather than a feeling of liberation one should have every time they step into the wilds of Scotland. But, I am biased. I stopped at the summit for a wee while and enjoyed the peace and silence. I hadn't made a flask but a wee cup of tea at that point would have been the dogs. I did however indulge in my Green and Blacks' chocolate bars - yummy. The return to the car was along the loch this time and not a soul was around. Took me just under 5 hours and rather than head N into what appeared to be inclement weather, I drove home to a warm bed. I must be getting old.

Beinn a Chrulaiste

The weather is doing my nut in. 16 days off from Christmas Eve and only a failed trip with the G5 to show for it. I had originally planned to head NW and follow Collaciotach's excellent trip of Gleouriach but as I drove through Glencoe, the snow started to fall and my doubts set in. I'm determined to take my time and do all of the hills over 2000ft and I'd like to keep the hills with thrills for days that live long in the memory. As such, I re-assessed my options and decided a shortish day on Beinn a Chrualaiste would do especially if I got some nice views across to the Big Shepherd. I parked at the Altnafeadh amongst keen Bookilers and it seemed i'd be on my own today, which suited me fine. The route is very straightforward and occupied a quick morning - I didn't get the knockout views but will be back for a wee wild camp at the 639 cairn in the summer to take in a sunset over the Buachaille. I enjoyed the amble and took my time - I had been told my photos were fine but I could do better - try something more imaginative, she said. I was inspired by Rossco's vopitzer ciabatta (sorry Rossco) and took a pic of my own culinary delight - home made and not bad with a wee cuppy at the summit. I have long laughed at the exorbitant amounts of money that people pay for equipment - well, I am a convert of Rab Primaloft trousers - it felt like both legs were being caressed by duvet lady orifices - a real pleasure to wear them. Can't wait to get back out again.