Doune Hill & Cruach an-t-Sidhein

Another truly stunning day on these two Grahams. Hard work going in from Invergroin and back but worth it all the same. I think Cruach an-t Sidhein is very under-rated with fantastic views. The view back over to Beinn Eich, Loch Lomond and the crags in the foreground made for a majestic scene. Views to Mull and Arran were breath-taking. I had anticipated being out for just under 4 hours but by the time I completed the round, it had taken almost a full five hours. I'm not sure what the ascent would be in total but certainly over 1000m and I felt it. I was almost over-dressed for the occasion and there was heat in that sun. A great way to round off the Luss Grahams.

Beinn Eich

A truly stunning day. I cheekily drove up to the bridge just before Edentaggart and managed to get a space. This meant a quick ascent up on to Beinn Eich and as I climbed higher, the views were incredible. Initial views back to Loch Lomond were pretty but the main event was the fantastic vista from the top of Ben Lomond, Ben Lawers range, Stob Binnein and Ben More, the Cobbler and Ben Ime, which dominated proceedings. Ailsa Craig was also visible. The wind from the East was petrifying and I was glad of my balaclava and three layers. How I would have loved to go on and nab the remaining two Grahams here but I had promised Mrs P I would be back before noon. And so I was, after a tremendous day on the hill.

Beinn Bhalgairean & Meall nan Gabhar

These two had been mooted by Graeme the previous week and there looked to be a wee weather window in between various storms raging across Scotland (Gertrude I believe). We approached from Succoth and parked a couple of km off the main road, which we were thankful for later. It was a bit of an eyesore with various deforestation in view for several km. However, once up to 350m, our main hill came into view - there were some impressive crags on Meall nan Gabhar but we kept that for last. We cut up into the forestry in search of a way through and found a small cairn with path ascending. Once over the deer fence, it was a kilometre trek across relatively uninteresting terrain and now in the clag, we just continued onwards until a nice, final rise and steep wade on to the summit. The cairn was near the wee drop, which on a fine day would have been a beautiful perch. As it was, at 636m, it was cold enough to drop down and then take lunch in the lee of the hill. Peshwari nan and coffee - an unusual breakfast but lovely nonetheless. W

We returned to the land rover track relatively quickly before the unpleasant hike up via another deer fence to the Allt. From here, it was a long and unrelenting hike up on to Meall nan Gabhar for my 55th (and Graeme's 50th) Graham. We flirted with descent off the NE face but it was too steep for me and I didn't entertain it for long. Our return so us descend between some great crags, while laughing at barreling snowballs heading down the hill. The walk was a sore one towards the end as we had been out 6.5 hours and ascended over 1000m in deepish snow. We sank a half pint back at Tyndrum and it was good to catch up with Graeme, while planning future trips.