Creag Ruadh

Prior to my annual bothy trip with Graeme, I had some urgent family business to attend to in Elgin. I wanted a wee walk on the way up, which wouldn't be taxing considering I had a 10-mile walk into Culra later that evening. I chose this little yin and parked near Cuaich. I strode along the aqueduct and came to a suitable point, where I could take to the hill proper. It involved a direct approach really, down across the burn and up the heathery slopes. There isn't much to occupy the mind except for the irritated ptarmigan, the irritated bunnies and the odd little feeding hole - I presume that is what photo no.1 is? I was at the top within 90 minutes and it did have lovely views over to Meall Cuaich. I stopped and attempted a yoga pose i.e. headstand on the 10-second timer. Not wise. I fell on top of the cairn and felt a right f*d. I'll stick with downward dog asana next time. The return down the heathery slopes was nothing more than a run and a terrific find of a denuded sheep head with horns - my wife was enraptured when I gave it to her. Don't ask.

Meall nan Eagan and the Dircs

What is he on about? Meall nan Eagan - hill of the possible. The Fara and the Dircs - they all meet on this route. When I told C that we'd be Dirc-hunting, he said 'for Diggler?' Hence the inane title for another walk report. We were lucky, we got as far as the summit of the Fara before the heavens opened. This little walk has been written about a few times before and it intrigued me. Meall nan Eagan is a lovely little hill with cracking views over to the Dirc Mhor - we were keen on walking through the Dirc Bheag however as an alternative to the skirting of the loch. A word of warning - do not attempt in snow conditions - you are likely to break your leg or fall into the loch itself. The pass through is awkward in places although it is a place of great solitude and I had a nice shot of the loch itself from the Dirc. Once around it, we walked passed the big Diggler and onwards and upwards to the Fara. C hadn't been out in the hills much before and near sharted when a ptarmigan flew out of nowhere with its guttural warning. On the topic of birds, I asked how his budgie was that had broken its leg - he had managed to splint it with a couple of Swan Vesta and said I should have seen its wee face until he realised he had forgotten to take the sandpaper out of its cage. At the summit, we lunched, had fleeting views down to Loch Ericht, before a rapid retreat off the hill and on to a new land rover track NE of the hill. A cracking wee day stolen before the weather gods unleashed their aqueous deluge.

Creag Bhalg

En route to taking my father to see Mac Floyd in Aberdeen, I had planned an overnighter in Braemar and would take in the Graham, Creag Bhalg and the Corbetts, Carn Liath and Culardoch. The plan was to get to Linn of Dee for 1600-ish and while this was admittedly a late start for a venture up and down a hill, I felt comfortable knowing that it was at worst an hour to the summit. However, it has occurred to me in the last week or so that I have perhaps been too intent on getting to the top of a hill rather than actually enjoying the whole experience of it. With new camera in hand, I was spotting some fantastic fauna, which prevails in Autumn - namely the fungi kingdom. Basidomycetes galore! Creag Bhalg is such a lovely wee walk from the road between Linn of Dee and Linn of Quoich and the gentle ascent brings you out at a deer stile, where a lone tree stands proud. From here, the path to the summit allowed for expansive views across to the Cairngorm massif, where a trace of snow was already present. Winter will not be long in coming. At the summit, I sat and listened to the roar of the stags, vying for supremacy. I gazed across at the summit paraphernalia on Morrone and felt incredibly small.

An affa fyne day on Stob an Eas

A new camera; a new compadre for the hills. I had recently extolled the virtues to my sister-in-law's bf of hill-walking and he had managed to find a day off. I had also decided to upgrade my existing camera to something which can take photos of close-up beasties and fauna as well as zoom for those classic Stag shots. I was not to be disappointed on both accounts. While the forecast wasn't to be balmy and sunny as in the previous weekend when I was on call (typical), we decided to take in a wee Graham with the prospect of lunch in Loch Fyne being a rather decadent way to enjoy a well-earned luncheon. The clag was down the whole way, which was unfortunate because I'm pretty sure it would have made for a great wee hill for views. However. we battered along the land rover track and took to the hill proper in good time. It does get pretty steep further up (hands needed) and there were a couple of nice crags, with the odd wee one-man cave if required. We were at the top within 2 hours and back via a dirretisima route to the car through the forestry within 4 hours. I will definitely come back and do this hill on a good day as the summit nestled airily on a rather pointy drop to the East. The camera worked wonders on picking up the fantastic detail of a dew-covered caterpillar and the chat was affa fine - the merits of positive thinking, the power of language which appears to be dying out amongst the text aficionados and the respect for seriously good food, which we were about to embark upon. Once changed and back at the car, it was a 10-miutes drive to the Loch Fyne Oyster bar, whereupon we dined on oysters, mussels and seriously tasty langoustines. I shed my public health hat and thought of Scotland. An affa fine day.

Supreme Stac Pollaidh

This is one of the unmistakeable hills in Scotland, which strikes both fear and awe into the heart of those who aren't keen on scrambling. It is simply iconic, as you drive down the B-road to Achiltibuie. Nothing else looks like it in Scotland and even though this is only 612m, it is for me one of the most amazing hills in this country. There is a tremendous path all the way up to the plateau and it's Eastern tower looms over you, as you head higher. Once on to the plateau, it is well worth exploring all the pinnacles and crags for some jaw-dropping views. My day was cloudy to begin with but it got better as evening fell. Some of the pinnacles and towers defy belief, as they look ready to topple down the cliff-faces. One looked like a totem pole, one looked like a dog or was that just my feverish imagination. Then, came the awkward bit. The holds are there, though not entirely obvious and once up past the initial tricky section, it is a fine wee walk to the summit, with views over the Summer Isles and North to Suilven and beyond. For so little effort, this has to be 'pound-for-pound', the best hill in Scotland.

Ben Cleuch - aye worth a look

This must be the easiest hill over 2000ft for me to reach and I had never done it. I was more keen on doing this in Winter so I thought a wee recce was required, even if it was supposed to be a dreich day. There is currently a warning suggesting that the Eastern path up the defile be taken due to a rockfall but I checked this out and it was very small. However, you takes yer chances...I was quite surprised by how steep this little sod was and on a good day, I expect it would be nice to sit and relax at the top. However, my morning was weet and so I didn't hang about today. I had one nice wee shot on the way back down (typical) but apart from a pair of sandals which had been dispatched further down , it was a fairly ignominious day. Nonetheless, I still thoroughly enjoyed myself and the fence and path provide a nice route to the summit. Even on a small walk, it is amazing how the stresses of work and life are swept from your shoulders as you climb. I shall most definitely be back when Winter is upon us - am I sad in wishing I can't wait for it? Bring on snowmageddon!

The Buck i' the Cabrach

Aye, that's recht. Had been bidin' with my grandfather in Macduff and on the wey back doon to Glasgow, I speirt masel if I wis needin tae di a wee hill. Aye min! I parkit the car just aff the B9002 and made for Dry Know - well, it wis onythin but! Mind you, the wee pathy huds weel to thon fince and afore lang, I hid the views bain to Ben Rinnes (fit like Davie?) and recht ower the Cairngorms - trappit in between the fog and the cloud. Fit a size o' cairn at the top - huge mongled big steens as if they'd been thrust oot the grun min. Naebody aroon, hid 5 tae masel and then plodded back doon and roon aboot. Fit a fine wee hill. Ta ta.

The Glen Striddle horseshoe

As I was on-call, I couldn't stray too far from Glasgow so I opted for this wee morning out, near Luss. I was at the car park within 45 minutes of leaving the house and away over the wee bridge, I had driven under so many times. From there, I fair pelted up the slopes of Beinn Dubh, with lovely views back across Loch Lomond - it looked so peaceful. The good wee path took me up over the first bump before the second bump surprised - as ever, this wasn't the summit. Views were now opening up across to Beinn Chaorach and Beinn Eich however, the cloud was rolling over the hills. Once at the beautifully appointed cairn, I decided to carry on and go over the peaty, rolling Mid-hill before a quick trot down the steep slopes to the wee farm. A quick stretch along the road brought me back to my starting point after 3 hours. Fit a crowd there was. A nice wee leg-stretcher and one for Winter, no doubt about it.

Beinn Bharrain - Mullach Buidhe

Having never set foot on Arran, I had booked a full weekend over in Kildonan for some nice wee hills. As I dis-embarked at Brodick, Goatfell looked lovely and I drove down to Kildonan to meet my landlady. Beautiful views across Plodda and Ailsa Craig were not really appreciated as I just wanted to get into those hills!! I could revel in that in the mornings and evenings to come. Unfortunately my wife was working so it meant I'd have the weekend to myself. And as it was 1400, I knew I had limited time to get up to Pirnmill and have a wee jaunt over Beinn Bharrain. I was surprised by the twisty turny roads and it took me a while to get to the wee PO road starting point, for 1500. Gadzooks, I'd need to motor if I wanted aff before supper-time. The walk through the woods and up by the waterfall was most pleasant and my objective came into view. I had decided I would tackle the mini 'A'Chir' route along the ridge to Mullach Buidhe before the main meal tomorrow of A'Chir proper! The walk up on to the bobbly knoll was a little tricky due to the huge slabs and the holes my feet kept finding. Once on to the ridge proper, it was a pleasant wee scramble along and over some massive slabs/rocks. Much fun was had and as it was nearing 1700, I was keen to hit the summit and head back down. Unfortunately, the cloud moved in and my views weren't great but this wee Graham is a fab hill. I descended back via the corrie and was back at the car before long. A final glance back before descending into the trees saw the hill in fine early evening glow. A great wee hill, which I'd fully encourage those to not miss out on, even though the Corbett caviar in Glen Rosa/Sannox is so alluring. But that would be day 2 of my Arran escapade. I'll have the Cir Royale please..