Sguman Coinntich & Faochaig

Coronavirus pandemic. On March 23rd, the UK was placed into national lockdown and while some idiots had gone into the hills early, I had restrained myself. Maintaining fitness by running 5 miles a day in June, I was going to be physically ready for the hills once we got the go-ahead from Nicola. As an infectious disease epidemiologist, it had been very odd to watch events unfold through either MSM or on social media. I knew that there would be many folks streaming North for hills so I decided to head from home early on a Friday at 0830. Driving through Tyndrum was an odd experience - practically nobody about in the middle of July. Fort William was much the same and heading past Invergarry, the roads were so quiet. It was all very odd. I eventually arrived at Killilan for 1230.

I had never been to this part of the world before and it was both pretty and quiet. Sguman Coinntich was the the obvious hill and I made for the path that would run in between it and Ben Killilan. The weather was a mix and it was to be like this all day; sunshine, cloud and rain. I headed up to the bealach, enjoying the views back to the loch but rather than head on to the Corbett proper, I thought I'd make for the bealach proper - this was a mistake as the crags were severe enough that I'd not fancy my chances. I thus, had to drop down into the coire at the back of the hill and re-ascent on to the shoulder of Sguman Coinntich. Here, I left my bag and romped the last kilometre to the summit trig point. There was a great view down to the loch but a fleeting one, as the cloud and rain moved in once more. I pinged over to get my rucksack, had some food and began the meander over to Faochaig.

There was a great view over to Carnan Cruithneachd, with the larger hills behind it. This was a place of real remoteness and I revelled in the solitude. Again, as I made for the final objective of the day, the cloud and rain came in. I dropped the rucksack at a large boulder and made for the summit cairn. No view, a quick message to my wife as to where I'd camp for the evening, then I made the long and unrelenting walk back down into Glen Elchaig, where I came upon Iron Lodge. I had a look at round but it was being decomposed from the inside out. I found a hidden flat piece of land beside a large waterfall, had some dinner and a beer/dram before getting my head down. I slept fitfully for several hours before packing up and heading out at 0200. I got back to the car at 0415 after a couple of frights with deer jumping out on me. It had been a fabulous re-emergence back into the way of the hills. I felt completely rejuvenated, as if I'd sloughed off my old skin.