Beinn Suidhe - big consolation in isolation

I knew that I was being over-optimistic when I hatched a plan to tackle Beinn nan Aighenan from Loch Tulla but I also knew that if time was short, or conditions were inclement, that I could check out Beinn Suidhe. As it was, I never got to the car park until 0900 so I figured it was going to be a no-no. As I walked into Glen Kinglas, I wasn't too worried since the views ahead were magnificent. I relaxed into the walk and really relished this occasion. Having taken ownership of a bulldogue francaise, she has been quite a bind. Plus, her short stature presently doesn't allow for hill terrain. That will be tested on Conic Hill soon enough though....hehe. The walk past the turn-off for Clashgour feels remote and the impressive crags of Beinn Suidhe soon come to the fore. Not a hill to be tackled direttisima. As I approached Loch Dochard, Meall nan Eun looked magnificent. As did the sweeping peak of Albannaich. It looked cold up there. I had a cup of cha and some ricky pig crisps - fit fine. The climb up on to Beinn Suidhe itself was pleasant until I emerged on to the ridge proper. An icy blast from the North soon refrigerated exposed flesh and I was grateful for my layers and snazzy new Buff - rebuffed by the dog in actual fact. Ungrateful hound. The views from this smaller hill are quite something. Loch Dochard appeared very frozen and the weather closed on in over the larger hills. For once, happy to be on smaller ground. A relatively untechnical down climb from the shorter peak at 636 saw me at a deer fence but the route back to the car was uncomplicated and serene. A moment with a stag beside the river and just below Stob Ghabhar was exquisite. A fantastic day out with a big consolation.

Pressendye

Time up in Aberdeen meant that a potential hill in the 'gorms was in the offing. However, the weather had deteriorated considerably and the snow meant that the roads in Aberdeenshire were brutal. Rather than drive all the way to Braemar and be rewarded by snow gates or a likely epic up Beinn Bhrotain, I decided on a shorter day. I parked up at the Petts farm after a harum-scarum drive and got clad to the hilt. I climbed the various zigzags and ventured into a snow storm. No route issues but a very pleasant walk, with picnic tables scattered around the summit of Pittenderich. The final climb to the summit of Pressendye was tough due to the thigh deep snow but the large cairn and shelter afforded phone calls back to worried relatives and wifelet. Views to Morven were obscured by the cloud level so in that sense, my choice was more than justified. 3 hours from bottom to bottom and a return to mother P's fine food meant that it was a victory rather than an opportunity lost.

Beinn Bhreac and Tullich Hill

Since we got the pooch, it has not been possible to escape for long. It just isn't fair on the dog and so with Em's permission, I was granted the morning off. A nice withdrawal from the emotional bank account! I drove North and not far - hard to believe within 45 minutes, I could be in Glen Douglas and experience the solitude, which I so craved. Rather than make for the slog up Tullich Hill, I stuck to the forest and began the boggy approach up Bhreac. My recent chest infection slowed me down but I still felt quite fit and after a few stops and appreciation of the improving views, I topped out to stupendous views down the whole length of Loch Lomond. The far North looked very white indeed although my presence at 680m meant that I would be excluded from the worst of the weather, which swept in across the larger mountains. The summit is a place to while away some time and an interesting exploration revealed significant rock fissures and evidence of landslip - not a place to explore in the depths of Winter perhaps.

I reluctantly left my resting spot and carried on over to Ben Reoch. Pleasant enough but it did little for me, except provide a relatively steep decline before the re-ascent of Tullich up through some crags. From Tullich Hill, views were good across the glen and to the Cobbler, which looked iconic as per. The descent off Tullich Hill was interesting with a small lochan and two large stones - a fascinating frame for a photo across the glen. I arrived back at the car in just after 4 hours and felt replenished. Nice couple of hills, which leaves me tantalisingly short of the 300-mark for hills over 2000ft.

In Burns country - Blackcraig Hill

A rare sojourn south to Glen Afton and Burns' country. The drive along the glen was clear and uncomplicated but as I parked, the clag was hanging at about 500m. I decided to head past the farm and made along the decent track to Quintin Knowe and its large cairn. I couldn't see a thing and took a compass reading due South up the obvious slope. After about 25 minutes, I arrived at one of several cairns before the trig point emerged from the gloom. I took tea and a sandwich, while huddling against the cold breeze. The first snows are upon us even at 700m. I had decided before the walk to make a loop and take in the neighbouring Donalds of Blacklorg Hill and Alhang. The walk between these hills was not easy as the land is boggy and full of soft hummocks. Fortunately, by the time I descended off the 2nd Donald, the views opened up and I really enjoyed the freedom. There was not a soul on the hill all day sauf moi. Windy Standard was covered in wind turbines and it is shocking that such desecration of land has been allowed to happen. Could you imagine it on Ben Lomond for example or any other Munro? Je ne crois pas. All that remained was the return to the car past an abandoned fruit and veg van. Clearly, NHS Ayrshire and Arran Health Promotion have a job on their hands with the one of the five a day message. I was happy to have 3 hills in a day. Amen.

A golden day on the fat hill

It had been a long time since I'd walked with my friend, Shaz and in that time she had had her golden birthday. I have often been an advocate of the charity 'Help the Aged' and nothing would change on this occasion, as we took in the two Grahams north of Crieff. Meall Reamhar and Meall nan Caorach - fat hill and hill of the sheep. They looked a relatively easy ramble and we left the car park in Amulree shortly before 1000. There is a 0.5 mile of road to contend with and Sma' Glen enthusiasts but once on to the land rover track, it was a very pleasant meander up to the bealach between the two hills. Such a relaxing walk allowed us to catch up on a lot that had happened since we had time on the hill. It is clear that there is much to life, which is meant to challenge but being able to look at things with a smile on your face clearly helps. As do trips to Turkey and Achiltibuie.

A look back down the glen saw Schiehallion come into view and Loch Freuchie, with a nice rainbow forming - Shaz wanted to look for the golden pot but instead made for the summit of our 1st hill. We sat beside the trig point and had lunch, while I built a wee shelter to fend off the chilly breeze. I don't think Winter is far from us now. Our descent back to the bealach saw an apprehensive Shaz suggest that I nip on and grab nan Caorach. Nonsense, we'll just take our time, I said and before we knew it we were at the top of the second hill looking North to a snow-capped peak - Ben Lui, I think. The return trip back to the car was just as relaxing as the trip into the hills and we stopped off in Dunblane high st for me to get a photo of the Golden postbox, courtesy of Scotland's most successful sportsman. I have long been a fan of Andy Murray and have even taken to tweeting on his website; my wife suggests that I have a thing for him - not true. I just really wanted him to win a major as he has deserved it and it makes me incredibly proud to be Scottish. It was a great wee day out with Shaz and I won't leave it so long to go back into the hills with a good friend. Golden.

A look at Suilven from Kirkaig Falls

What a great wee walk I had with Emma up Kirkaig Falls - not only was it a splendid path up to the falls but a few hundred yards on, a view to perhaps one of the most amazing hills in Scotland was on offer - Suilven. Quite stunning and I had to pull myself away not to keep staring in awe. I'll be back.

Carn Glas Choire and wafty schecht

After my long day yesterday, I wanted an easy leg-stretcher not too far from the Torguish B&B. I had read about possible access issues but encountered no problems except for a shitey smelling dog pound with shitey, barky smelling dogs. The land rover track takes you all the way to the plateau but from there to the summit is an extremely boggy trump over odd moss. Highlights before the summit are the hunting lodge, which is very dry inside and the total solitude as you walk towards the top. Once at the summit and the surprisingly large double cairn and trig point, the views over the main Cairngorm range, Ben Rinnes and the Moray Firth are excellent and it's a nice place to sit and consider life and its whims. After a few minutes, a cold wind bit deep before I descended straight off the summit South back to the track, avoiding any bog. Back at the car within 3.5 hours and a most enjoyable morning out.

Beautiful Ben Mor Coigach & the Fiddler

I had a few days planned in Achiltibuie, which I have always found a rather humorous name. However, upon driving past Stac Pollaidh, Cul Beag and spying a rather sensational sharp tooth in the distance (Sgurr an Fhidhleir), I began to feel very serious indeed. There were some stunning hills up here, which I planned to make the most of, given the atypical drought experienced by the locals. I had driven along the road to Culnacraig but rather than park at the bridge, I stopped about 200m short of these in a parking area of sorts. This allowed me to start my ascent with a diagonal traverse, making for the deep gash and take in the start without too much of a sweat. Ben Mor Coigach looked fabulous, perched above the sea and the views really began to open out. Once on to the ridge proper, the drops were very dramatic to the South and East and although only at 600m, it felt like it was a much more precipitous drop, although 2000ft is quite tasty as is. 

Unfortunately, the cloud had zipped in just as I began the rollercoaster ride and as much as I waited for a considerable period of time, it just would not budge. I did have a sleeping Indian rockface accompanying me, which was nice but I was a little disappointed I couldn’t see more, though the drop did appear to my right at times, which was a little un-nerving. 

I meandered off the ridge after about a kilometre and began the steady ascent over to the shelter cairn. Again, I sat in cloud and had a break before assessing my next route over towards Fhidhleir. However, after dropping down to the bealach, I could put away my map and disperse with my chagrin as I was blessed with an absolutely stupendous view to the Inverpolly mountains of Beinn an Eoin, the Fiddler itself and Stac Pollaidh peeking through the gap. A truly stunning vista lay before me and I ran around snapping like an excited child. 

I had a wee look down the NE face and it was incredibly exhilarating. In terms of Scottish routes, the first direct ascent of the Fhidhleir was only done in 1962. I had a wee break, bagged up and returned very quickly indeed to the car in just under 3 hours for the entire route - perhaps one of my most favourite walks yet. Stunning part of the world.

I only had the short ascent from this wonderful view point up to the apparently exposed cairn at the summit and my, what a view down the face to Loch Tuath it was. 

Green Lowther surreality

I made a last minute decision to stop web-surfing and go walking. An hour's easy drive down the M74 saw me at purportedly the highest village in Scotland, Wanlockhead. It was distinctly colder at 470m. The oddity of this hill is that there is a tarmac'd road the whole way to the top. It thus makes for an easy if not slightly surreal ascent as I kept thinking cars were coming up behind me. Instead of making for the Graham itself, I took in East Lowther and the 2nd Donald of the day before making my way over to the trig point. I'm not sure I'm bagging the Donalds but I've done 19 of them so I suppose I should add them on. I do like the rolling aspect of the hills down here and the solitude is at times un-nerving especially when you sit below the artificial constructs and the wind whistles through. The drive from the M74 along to Wanlockead was delightful, a real driver's road. Nice wee afternoon stroll done in 2.5 hours with a drop down to the reservoir from Green Lowther to make a nice wee circuit.

Beinn na Cloiche after Staoineag bothy

This trip meant omitting the car for once and it was great to take the train with Craig. This hill would be the meat in the sandwich of my 200th Munro and William's Leap, a Corbett en route to the return train. It's a lovely wee hill from the bothy and the steep ascent at the start means you are nicely warmed up with fantastic views over to the Mamores and the Ben. There's quite a large loch about 1km before the summit and it could be very boggy. Fortunately, we were up early and the ground was still frosty. The cairn was tiny, a sure sign that not many people wander this way. It was a biting wind and we motored East and down to the Loch before our re-ascent on to Leum Illieum. In terms of isolation, it would be very hard to beat this.

At Cook's Cairn afore the Top Cook

Had delivered a wood turning lathe to my grandfather in Macduff for his birthday and we had had a couple of pints on the Saturday night. Before heading to mum's in Aberdeenshire, I wanted to take in this hill and had eyed a route from the road to Rhynie from Dufftown. Initially, this was through a forestry track but once out of that, it was a nice climb on to Scaut Hill. There were significant cairns on this one as well as trig point and great views over to Ben Rinnes and Tap o Noth. While ascending this hill, I came across what looked like a bomb - am I havering or is this really a relic from the war? The route over to Cook's Cairn from this hill was not easy and involved much bog hopping and it was a fairly uninspiring view. However, once I reached Cook's cairn, Lochnagar and Ben Avon came into view. Not taking my camera meant an iPhone montage, which lacks the clarity and light of the Canon. I didn't dally as I wanted to have a look round Blackwater Lodge on the way back to the car. It was quite an eerie building even from the outside and picking my way through the abandoned house, I found a number of items and decor, which made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Once I saw the wallpaper was upside down, I was out of there. It had a 'Day of the Dead' feel and I was glad to get out of it, although I felt quite sad at its dilapidated state as it was obviously a lovely building at one point. The walk back out was quite long and I was very hungry by the time I hit the road. Fortunately, an hours drive back to mum's saw me arriving to a fantastic roast beef lunch followed by apple pie. There really is nobody quite like yer mither. A toast to the Cook!

Return to gather Gathersnow Hill

A quick getaway from work and I was flying down the A74 towards Abington. I carried on to the Culter Fell spot that I had done a couple of weeks ago and decided to go back up Culter Fell as it was a cold, crisp and beautiful day. I got to the top of this hill in just over an hour before heading over towards Gathersnow Hill - notably, this would have been horrendously boggy in other conditions but it was fine down to the bealach. I dumped my bag and stormed up my 2nd objective of the day passing some snow just below the plateau. A trek across towards the tiny cairn saw me there at 1615 and a rapid descent and walk back along the reservoir felt good on the legs (in my duvet trousers - supreme!). I love these afternoon 'thefts' of hills not far from my doorstep with the early evening alpenglow. It almost feels a little dangerous to be on the hill so late in the day.

Culter Fell Candy

Fence smashed by Hurricane B**bag, panels delivered at 1030 and a bit of repair work before 1200 meant that the late afternoon sunshine had to be taken advantage of. Left Glasgow at 1300 and arrived at Culter Allers farm for 1400 - always a bit odd to drive South to do hills and it was a lovely drive from Abington to Coulter - spotted a wee pub for a post hill aperitif. It was great to be out in dry, fresh weather and such a short outing would mean great views across the hills to a setting sun. Craig was with me and he had only been out in fairly inclement weather with me so this was a bit of a novelty for him. The walk up Fell Shin was steep and had the blood pumping, yet the stalkers path made for good going and as we passed the grouse butts and cairn, we relaxed into the walk as views quickly appeared over to Tinto. We entered the snow line at about 680m, where the ground firmed up and it felt like Winter once again - I mean proper Winter, nae these winds and rain. The summit trig point and moon appeared and a North wind started to blow strong - as we arrived at the summit, with the sun setting, Craig began to thrown himself into the wind and laugh like a child, while running around the trig point. Our return trip was interspersed with a cup of tea in one of the grouse butts, while the temperature plummeted with the sun. 2.5 hours for a fantastic wee hill and an afternoon Winter stroll has a lot to commend it with the light being so different than normal - au crepescule (check out the vocab, Graeme D). A pint of the Lia Fail in the Old Mill Inn and it was a fine wee day.