Meall Buidhe and Sron a Coire Cnapachain

This was meant to the weekend that Graeme and I finally bagged Beinn Mheadhoin - with a fairly rubbish forecast, we postponed that Munro but have both proclaimed it will be in the bag this year. So, where to next? Finding something between the two of us is getting more difficult but a Corbett combo in Glen Lyon looked like an option. I raced up the road and over the lairig into Glen lyon for 0800, with Graeme soon in tow. I wasn't impressed with the forecast and proffered a number of options including the Graham (Graeme done) and the easy Corbett, Meall nan Meagaich (Graham done). In the interests of non-disappointment, I we decided to go and 'check out' the two hills, which literally means we decided there and then we'd do them. The drive down to the end of Pubil was inglorious but the cliffs of Meall Ghaordaidh loomed large and poked through the clouds. Although it was raining, we opted for the get high quick approach and marched straight up off the land rover track to Meall Tonail at 710m, whereupon the rain quickly turned to snow. A drier rain, it seems.

We dropped down to the bealach and I made some snow balls, before we had a wee bite to eat. The climb up on Meall Buidhe was good and we made progress up on to the broad slopes. Once at the fence posts, it was a fairly uncomplicated plod round to the summit although navigation was in order, to ensure we got the correct summit cairn (there appeared to be 2). Graham erected the tripod for the summit shot (guess the pic) before we returned into what was now q a fierce hail of snow/sleet. Graeme donned his goggles while I cursed the fact that I had forgotten mine and would pay for it with very bloodshot and sore eyes later that evening. We descended down to the bealach and spied our 2nd objective as well as Loch Daimh - rather than ascend any further at that point, we traversed down and over to quite haggy ground. From there, we made the last ascent up on the summit, which would be good on a nice day but it was claggy. Our return to the car was uncomplicated but notable for some spectacular double salcos by Graeme over wet and greasy ground. The drive to the Lawers pub was an anti-climax as it was shut for Winter presumably. Our usual post-hill aperitif would need to wait until the next time. Good pad despite fairly inclement weather and nice to be back in Glen Lyon.

Beinn a Bha'ach Ard

The weather gods were not kind on this trip North and after my marination the previous day on Sgurr a Mhaoraich, I was keen to wait for a decent weather window. A short trip into Inverness from the www.thestruy.co.uk meant that I was back in the Inn for 1100, changed and already decided on where my afternoon stroll would be. I could see my hill with a lovely rainbow over it and so decided that this was indeed a positive omen. The walk down Strathfarrar glen is very pleasant. The ugly power station is not but the land rover track behind it made for good progress. I decided to follow a track North-East into the coire of the Corbett. It was quite good going and views over to the Kessock Bridge and beyond were opening up. I started up the South ridge and I was surprised how long this hill was taking me even though the guide book by Cicerone does state a round trip time of 5 hours and 5 minutes. At about 800m, the wind really dropped the temperature and so I layered up - looking West, I could see the start of the Strathfarrar fower, which I'd come back to later this year hopefully.

South, the characteristic double crags of Sgurr an Airgid could be seen while just behind, Glen Affric Munros loomed in broken cloud. I climbed up the final summit and took shelter behind gar trig point, taking a lovely warm cup of cha. I continued North down the slopes and over to the satellite peak before heading SE and over to Loch na Beste. What a beautiful loch this is and it provides a stunning foreground to the Corbett. I whiled away a little time here before realising it was 3.15pm and the shadows were lengthening. From here, the track took me back out at Inchmore (every woman's dream) and the pleasant amble back to the Struy for a well-earned dinner with pint. Good wee day out.