Meall Dearg (Amulree)

So, Fiona no.90. Again, en route to the folks, albeit West of A9. I decided to opt for this from the Glen to the East, and head up the Land Rover track, pretty much to the summit shoulder. I had to be up in Aberdeen for 4pm so leaving the car at 1045, I did not hang about. Given the high starting point exceeding 1000ft, I was up on the summit after 45 minutes. What a tremendous view from the summit, with views to Schiehallion, Farragon Hill and Glen Lyon Munros. I ran down the track and was back at the car for 12. Don’t see much in way of reports for this but it was a wee belter.

Blath Bhalg

I was heading north again, this time to spend the weekend with my Granda, who was celebrating his 90th birthday. Amazing man. I parked at the wee car park at the highest point of the road between Pitlochry and Kirkmichael. It was sunshine and snow with a biting North wind. This would be the weather for the day. I set off up a wee path that wound its way up on to Dalnacarn Craig. I passed a couple of wallets and their wee terrier who promised it would be windy on the summit. They were not wrong. It was a lovely wee amble over to the summit proper with views to Schiehallion, Ben Lomond in Fife, and Cairngorms. I didn’t hang about at summit and dropped down North to get to the wee Land Rover track that ended at the hut. I ventured inside and sat for 10 minutes, enjoying being out of the wind. A fine hauff. From here, I got back to road in quick-time, with last week’s climb along the road. A 5-mile loop with 350m climb in two hours. As I headed home, content, I then heard from my friend that his father was dying. Although he hadn’t been well, it was still very sobering and I hoped that his father wouldn’t suffer for too long. 

 

Ettrick Pen

A long drive for a wee hill. Steph and I had plans for a wee overnight bothy trip and given that I hadn’t done Ettrick Pen, I thought Over Phawhope might cut it. We listened to the frankly ridiculous Scotland France rugby match and took to the slopes after learning of the 50-40 scoreline. The plan was to start around 4pm, go light, and on descent see if the bothy was busy. We could always come back with heavy pack and wood. The hill was a super wee climb of about 1100 feet from the bothy itself and uncomplicated enough. Views are quite impressive with South Scotland stretching away. Hart Fell, Arthur’s Seat, and Green Lowther were all visible. It was chilly at the top but the sun was magic. Once we got down to the bothy, it was very busy so we decided to just head home, have a wee dram in front of the fire and reward ourselves with the knowledge of having a fine hill day. Great wee hill.

Beinn Bhan (Glen Loy)

As the first two months of 2026 fly past, I had the green light to head to the hills. The forecast looked a bit iffy but Fort William might escape the showers. Seeing a new electric charging facility open in Fort Bill meant I wouldn’t have issues with range anxiety. Consequently, Beinn Bhan was the hill of choice. A quick up and down potentially. I arrived at Glen Loy for 0930 and although there was drizzle, I’d have views. 

I walked past the fancy cottages at Inverskilavulin and started up beside the descending Allt coming down from Beinn Bhan. Some impressive pools, a fine dip on a warm day. Heading directly for the Western aspect of the Coire rim, it was a steep plod. Views opened up across to the Nevis range and directly South-West, a Fiona I have yet to do was covered in dark cloud (Stob a Ghrianain). By the time I got to the 600m mark, the clag swallowed me and it was a walk in the clouds to the summit trig. From here, I headed South and back down to the Allt, with a crossing to take me back and complete a relatively simple walk. 

I was surprised at the lack of snow and there had been serious snow melt in last week. Also notable for the peace-loving US Trump to start bombing another country while being prodded by his pal. I try to remain optimistic about life but having such power-loving idiots run these countries is hugely depressing. The hills keep you sane.

Beinn Donachain

This was originally meant to be the first Corbett of the year with Graeme but the cold blast of air from the Arctic meant that the A9 was impassable for Graeme. I would be on my own. As I had just passed Crianlarich, I quickly calculated what I hadn’t done in and around Tyndrum. Beinn Donachain from Glen Orchy would be the target.

I drove towards Dalmally then up Glen Orchy to the Eas car park. A couple of campers were there and had probably had a very cold night. I pushed off at 0755, hoping for a sunrise over the hills to the South. This bore fruit. It was a very pleasant walk up the through Caledonian forest, and a great place to return in summer for a camp with Martha possibly. The climb up to the edge of the forest was a delight and now Beinn Laoigh came into view, with the sun rising. 

The final part of the climb saw me emerge above the Heart loch, with a calming walk round and over to the summit proper. From here, the views to Cruachan and beyond were fabulous. I sat and took it all in, really at one with the hills. The descent was lovely and I arrived back at the car by noon. A super wee hill.

Badandun Hill

On the 19th Dec, I headed North to the folks for my cousin’s 40th up in Macduff. I checked to see what hadn’t been done and spied Badandun Hill, in Glen Isla. The rain was tipping it down, it had been pretty miserable but I decided to wait it out for 15 mins and then go for it. This was a fairly straightforward yomp up the hill and while I got the occasional view North to the larger Cairngorm hills, it was claggy. Within the hour, I was at the summit just as the snow started. I did not hang about. I had my trail shoes on and just ran back down the hill, at the car 90 minutes after I set off. While the hill wasn’t particularly interesting, I liked the area for its solitude. Must return in summer.

Beinn Lochain

Graeme had long been planning the Corbett Beinn Bheula, while I had spied Beinn Lochain across the Glen. As it was, we made a plan to combine both if Sadie was up for it. At 14 months, I have had to be patient with her so we don’t adversely affect her joints. She’d been out with me in the week to Brattleburn bothy and seemed well-equipped to try a larger hill. 

We met up at Lettermay near Lochgoilhead at 0830 on a glorious Sunday morning. Conditions were excellent and we settled into the week’s events of which there were many. Parent’s health, marital status, and bothy canine fears. Heady stuff. But for all the strife in life, the hills soothe. And today was a day of healing. 

The walk up to the loch was very pleasant and we stopped to take some fuel on board before the steep climb up to the Graham. It was unrelenting but the views rewarded us. As we levelled off, a notable cold wind made us don layers. Autumn is here and Winter is not far away. One of my favourite times of year. The dogs seemed happy and we eventually found the 3-stone cairn. A signal that this hill is not well-frequented though it should be. We descended rapidly back to the loch and I decided Sadie had done enough, while Graham and Luna continued on for the Corbett. An uncomplicated trek back to the car and a fabulous wee day out with good company. 

Cat Law

Having driven up to Stonehaven the day before to get my tattoo of Winnie courtesy of Ela at Fehu Ink (what a legend she is), I spent the night in Kirriemuir at the hotel. I had a reasonable sleep given the discomfort, and after a good breakfast, I drove down to Balintore castle. A stunning building over 160 years old. It’s being renovated and really will be something once restored.

I walked back along the road to Auldallan farm then began the walk up through the field and on to the path that would take me up to Cat Law. A very pleasant meander with views below 450m across to the North Sea. However, at the summit, it was still clagged in. It was very peaceful and temperate. I didn’t hang about and was down at the car in a little over 2 hours; steady pace for a 6-mile walk with approx 400m ascent. Lovely part of the world.

Hill Of Wirren

Has it really been 18 months since I’ve been on a Graham, now re-named Fiona’s? With 2024 my Munro compleation year, all focus had been on those. Now, I can relax and just take hills en route to family and friends. Thus, Hill of Wirren was the Graham most local to my folks. I parked at Millden and more or less followed the track to the top. A cold day with decent visibility to the sea, Clachnaben and Mount Beattock. I ran back down and completed the trip in a little over 2 hours. Fine outing.

Duchray Hill

Not quite how I'd planned spending my birthday weekend and strangely, almost 2 years to the day that I'd been up this way for Mount Blair. Mum had been in hospital a week or so since her emergency operation for her strangulated hernia. I was due to pick her up from the hospital so I set off early, and arrived at the parking area for this hill. The trees had been felled since I was last up so I decided to head in via the estate track, then up on to the hill proper. I enjoyed the walk/run but the weather never improved and it was an exercise in clag and map-reading. I hit the summit and returned the way I came, getting back to the car within the 1.5 hour mark. Not a classic but perhaps my mind was not receptive. Nonetheless, I felt much better for having done it and felt far more relaxed heading to Aberdeen to pick up mum.

Epic failures and successes on Stob na Cruaiche

Happy New Year - on 2nd January, I attempted a rather ambitious trip up this hill in fairly difficult conditions underfoot. I had long planned to bike into the bottom of this hill, skirting Black Corries Lodge and I wasn't to be disappointed in this regards. The views were incredible and this hill in Winter is a must. But a good level of fitness is definitely needed - only 3 weeks after Covid, I probably gave myself too much to do. 

I parked at the wee turn-off just opposite Glen Etive, keeping the car into the side for folks to pass if need be. I was away by 0915 and had a couple of close calls with ice on the road. There were a few folks taking photos of the Buachaille, which looked amazing and i would take my own photo later on the return. As it was, I stopped often to take in the beautiful scenery. 

I cycled on to the Black Corries Lodge and then had to come off the bike to bypass over deep snow, around the Lodge - this hadn't had any vehicular transport on it so was slow-going until back on the Land Rover track. From here, it was a joyous cycle up on to Meall a Phuill, where i left the bike just short of the summit. I estimated from here, it was about a 4.5-km yomp up over Stob Nan Losgann, then on to my ultimate objective of the day. What I hadn't bargained on was the very soft snow and while I had hoped for some more frozen snow underfoot, this just didn't happen. I began to tire not far off SNL summit, and realised it had taken me an hour to walk 3km. I was due back home by 1500 to meet friends and if I had continued on to Stob Na Cruaiche, I would have been deeply unpopular. This was frustrating as I could see the summit, about 1.5km in the distance but given the terrain underfoot was still deep snow, I decided to head back. Can always come at it from Rannoch in more welcoming conditions. I took another photo of the views - just stunning.

I returned down the hill and back up to Meall a Phuill to collect the bike. All that remained was to enjoy the descent back to the head of Glen Etive and take in the wonderful majesty that is the Buachaille.

Birthday boy on Mount Blair

A trip North to see the folks and get the car MOT'd; while also getting my birthday presents from my folks meant that I was heading via Glenshee for a small present to myself - my 80th Graham. As I had to be up at Kintore for 1430, I was looking for a short up and down - at just under 5K for the return trip, this would do the job. And what a cracking wee run I had up it too. Had some great views across to the larger Cairngorms where snow could be seen on the tops. I was up and down in 40 minutes. Fabulous wee pad and a fine way to celebrate any birthday.

 

Sgurr Mhic Eacharna & Beinn Bheag

The high pressure that was present over Scotland end of August meant that a wild camp over a West coast hill (or three) was in the offing. It had been a mad couple of weeks at work since our return from our week in Cromarty and I was badly in need of some contemplation time. I was heading North towards Fort Bill and had a few options planned but decided to take the short Corran ferry hop over to Ardgour for the evening. Literally 5 minutes and we were across, where I followed the small convoy round towards Garbh Bheinn. Truth be told, I hadn't fully explored the books for this route but had an idea of taking in the Graham and the Corbett with a summit camp somewhere looking West. It was just after 1700 so I had a few hours light but I didn't hang about, especially as the midges were looking for their last feed before the first frosts. I started off on the path but decided to head up the slopes of Sgurr Mhic Eacharna and evade the insects. The bothered me until about 400m, when a beautiful wind popped up. A good 40 minutes of hard walking so me begin the high level walk over to my first objective - I hadn't actually realised Mhic Eacharna was also a Graham - what a bonus!

By now, the wind was freshening but I was really enjoying the walk and the views to Being Bheag and now into the Coire of Garbh Bheinn were gorgeous.

I descended fairly steeply off Mhic Eacharna and noted a couple with a tent perched over towards the Coire - they looked settled and dinner was cooking. The fast disappearing sun was just heading down behind silhouetted Garbh Bheinn and I began the steep plod up Being Bheag - little hill, my arse. 

However, I got into a good rhythm and before long, I topped out on Bheag, my 79th Graham. The sunset was really developing now, with the lochain below Garbh Bheinn catching the last light.

 

All that remained for the evening was to set up camp and find a place where I might get reception and send a message home that all was well. About 300m further on from the summit of Being Bheag and I found a relatively flat area at about 700m elevation. With the sky being clear, it was going to be cold and I would pay for not having taken my thick sleeping bag. I set up camp, had a couple of beers and sent a message home before watching a fantastic sunset. Eigg and Rhum were visible as were the other glinting lochains over Ardgour; Beinn Resipole was also poking up - my solitary Corbett in this area but tomorrow would change that. It was a cold night but the views more than made up for it.

Meall Fuar-Mhonnaidh

February Exam Board at UHI - my first as Programme Lead for the MSc in IPC. Went well (I think) and I promised that I'd get a hill done en route back to home. I had booked an AirBnB in Drumnadrochit and the lady I stayed with was very pleasant. I was away early at 0600 and round to the car park before this Graham, coming at it from the well-used approach near Bunloit. I set off with head torch on and it wasn't long before I realised how boggy this hill is. To be fair, there had been an absolute splurge of rain for weeks so Scotland was practically molten. However, once I got up high enough to see some lovely shades of pink across Loch Ness, the ground had begun to firm up with some snow and ice higher up. This was an enjoyable wee hill and although I never got any summit views, the view back along the Loch with the sunrise more than made up for that. I was back at the car by 0930 and home by 1230, collecting bonus points for also collecting wee Martha from school. Graham number 77 and another one in the set.

Hunt Hill

After leaving mum and dad's, I drove South - initial thoughts were for Mount Battock but I decided I'd head down to Loch Lee and take in the Graham, Hunt Hill. The walk along the loch was wonderful and there was a very pretty graveyard, just 1 km from the start.

The wind across the loch was quite cold for September; I began to run/walk and after an hour, the imposing crags of Craig Maskeldie came into view. The sun emerged and it felt good to be out and in the glens. What little rain was falling soon dispersed with the appearance of a rainbow. Fit bonnie.

I decided to head up the shoulder of Hunt Hill, through the heather. It was a bit of tough yomp but I soon reached the bogs. Aaaagh! The view back to Craig Maskeldie made up for it though, with the Falls of Uinich cascading down the coire in the distance. 

I had about a 1km walk to the summit and eventually approached the small cairn, with very nice views to Mount Keen and Lochnagar. This was a beautifully wild place and heading back to the lip of the hill, the view back to Loch Lee and Maskeldie was stunning. An awkward descent back into the coire, finally saw me attain the path and a lovely walk/run back to the car. An 18-km day in 4 hours. Graham no. 76. One of the best it has to be said.

Meall Mor - Glen Glass

As the new Programme Lead for the MSc in IPC, I was making my way North for student induction. It had been several months since I'd been on a hill and that Cnoc Fyrish with my wee one and wife. Thus, it was I found myself heading past the Black Isle towards Evanton, where the weather was better. I had decided on this Graham, which would be a decent afternoon out and hopefully afford some fine views. I was satisfied on both accounts. I got the lodge gates for just after 1300 and decided on waterproofs from the off, as it was light rain. It was mild enough so just took the small pack so I could run the flats. The first couple of kilometres were nothing to shout home about, through dead forestry but once I could see Loch Glass, it really opened up. Across the loch I could see a large house painted pink!

The ascent of the hill started up an old Land Rover/bulldozer track that wend its way through forestry and as such, it was difficult to perceive the incline. Eventually, I topped out above the trees at about 500m. From here, it was a bit of a heather/bog hop past the wind turbines and on to the shoulder of the Graham proper. The view back to the turbines and the sea was lovely.

After a couple of hours, I eventually made it up to the summit trig point and the vast expanse of Northern Scotland stretched away. I sat and sent messages to Emma to say I was ok and heading down.

I decided to head straight off the summit to the loch and although steep, I was down to the old path in good time. I dipped the feet into the loch for an invigorating soak, then started the walk back out to the car. However, this part of the path was quite overgrown and obviously not used much as I soon discovered an adder sunning itself on a rock. It soon slithered away at rapid pace and I believe that was possibly the first time I have every seen one, with its black and brown zigzag markings. I felt further energised by that chance encounter and enjoyed the run/walk back through the forest and to the car. My 75th Graham in approximately 4 hours.

Uamh Bheag

I had intended on heading North on the Friday but thankfully left proceedings until the Saturday, when a high pressure had moved in. Last minute, I decided to stay relatively local and opted for Uamh Bheag, a Graham and a Donald. I had never driven down Glen Artney before but I was pleasantly surprised by how pretty it was. I parked just past the church and noted a walker going towards the other Donald first. My mind was made up, I'd head up Am Beannan, a lovely looking subsidiary hill of the Graham. I was running today as I had signed up to another ultramarathon at the end of June in aid of The Throat Cancer Foundation. It was a cold start and I had my hat on. I headed along the road and then meandered round Auchnashelloch Hill to a bridge over the burn. The view from here up to Am Beannan was very pretty.

The going up the 1st hill of the day was steady and my prior fitness and stair-climbing seemed to be putting me in good stead. Before long, I was looking over to Stuc a Chroin and Ben Vorlich, still snow-capped. I made good progress over the peat hags to the eventual Graham summit trig point and the wind was very nippy. I took some snaps and sent a wee message to my wife to say all was fine. I then began the return journey but dropped straight down off the Graham summit and down toward the origin of the Allt Ollach, before running back to the Water of Ruchill and the car. A quick 2.5 hour trip and I'll be back to Glen Artney again. A real treat.