Beinn Mhic Chascaig

I can’t believe it’s been a year since I was out on a Corbett. Life just seems to have become very busy. Mind you, I’ve been training a lot in Tae Kwon Do. Indeed, recently passing my black tag grading and now prepping for a year of training towards my black belt. But, the hills offer the solitude and organic experience that I crave at this time of year. I love walking in Winter.

And so it was, I’d done the Bridge of Orchy 10K the day before, and decided to stay up in the Kingshouse. A good breakfast and I was parked up down Glen Etive just after 8. This was a superb outing, with the approach up the Glen being accompanied by the sound of the Allt. The lung-bursting ascent up on to the hill itself seemed to go on for ages but eventually I topped out by 10, impressed with the views to the Buachaille and beyond. I completed the circuit by descending from the NW flank. Although steep in places, it was perfectly do-able. A fine Corbett and good to be back amongst the bigger hills.

Meall na h-Aisre

Could it really have been over a year since I’d set foot on a Munro, never mind a Corbett!?! Apparently, yes. I’d long considered taking the mountain bike up this hill as it looked like there was Land Rover track pretty much to the summit. And so I left home after having walked Sadie, and arriving in the glen at 1230. This gave me a window of about 5 hours before nightfall. As it was I needn’t have worried.

Garva bridge was where I left the car and it looked glorious in the autumn light. I was a good 0.5km up the road when I realised I’d gone up the wrong road! A fast descent brought me back to the wee turn off before the bridge, then I made my way to the hill proper. It was a windy afternoon and I gradually climbed higher and higher until I got to about 650m. From here, I left the bike and climbed the last mile on foot. 

I arrived at the summit and in clag. With the bike, it had taken me 75 minutes to get here but I knew the descent would be very rapid. And fun. As I ran back to the bike, the lochain glint caught my eyes. I love this time of year. I sent a text to Mrs P to say I’d be down soon and so it proved. At one point I hit 50km/hour. It should be illegal to have that much fun on a bike and a hill. In 24 minutes, I was back at the car. What an exhilarating descent, requiring massive concentration. A great way to re-start the Corbett collection.

Sgurr an Utha

A hill repeat but with company; I’ve been friends with Alex for 45 years!! Incredible. He was accompanied by his girlfriend and we repeated the route I had done almost 6 years ago. The views were superb as before with views to Ben Nevis and out to Eigg and Rhum. A truly superb day.

Sgorr na Diollaid

First proper hill since I’d had the hernia repair end of January. While I was confident I’d have the fitness for this relatively short excursion, I was conscious of snow-clad hills and late start. The long drive into Glen Cannich took me a few hours. I eventually parked, changed and got going was 3pm. So, I didn’t want to muck around. 

It’s a bit of rough ground actually getting up to the main hill but great views over to Mullardoch make the walk much easier. Once I hit the snow line, the temperature really dropped. The final climb up on the cracking summit feature was splendid, and the West to Mullardoch and Glen Strathfarrar were amaxing. At 1650, I didn’t hang around and began the descent back to the car. Uncomplicated and swift, I reached the car at 1800. A great wee hill and another one under the belt, with some decent fitness banked. 

Carn a Chuilinn

At last, the Christmas holiday period. It had been a long year and I had a couple of days up North planned. The forecast was pretty grim but there might be a wee weather window this afternoon. And so it proved. I enjoyed the very quiet drive up and pulled into the lay-by at 1130. Giving me a good 5 hours of light, I was running light. I followed the Land Rover track into the Glen, with many vans/4x4s driving down from the reservoir. A few nods. By the time I got to the bend in the road, the weather had closed in and it started to snow.

I headed up a track of sorts, stopped to add the waterproof trousers and gloves then began the serious yomp to the summit. The wind and snow was really hitting me hard now but I continued onwards until I reached the two lochains. From here, it was a final climb to the summit cairn. No view and no time for hanging about as it was pretty tough conditions. I took a reading to get off the summit and head for another track West. It was a good and easy descent, with no issues. From here, I decided to follow a track rather than take the LR track back. Wasn’t an easy path as it was pretty waterlogged but got me back to the main track an hour later.

From here, an easy run back to the car in 3.5 hours for 18.5km distance (718m ascent). Great to be out and an enjoyable day, relishing the elements.

Beinn Chuirn

This is a retrospective (very much so) account of a short pad up this hill in August. I went light and decided I'd run in from Tyndrum upper train station, which has a lovely meander through the forest and then out not far from the gold mine. It wasn't long before I started the ascent up the grassy contours, not far from the Eag. I steered well away from the steeper ground and made my way up to the summit - at times, the weather closed in and it became very cold. Once at the summit, I could see right down and over to the neighbouring Graham, which I'd done a few years ago. I fair piled down the hill and continued my run back out and up into the forest, back at the car within a credible 2.5 hours. 

Meall nan Subh

A short day from Glen Lochay and up the road from the farm. Views to Ben Nevis and back to the Munros over the glen. It was cold on the tops and the summit area is a fine place to take in the wide spread of views. A very under-rated hill I think and one I really enjoyed. Couldn't upload photos from my phone so you'll need to take my word for it!