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.

Fiarach - the dog's kahunas

Graeme D had referred to this hill as the dog's bollocks. Therefore, I decided to take Winnie to see if she agreed with me. Given that the forecast was for rain, snow and wind, I didn't think Winnie would be that keen and by the time I had got her wee jacket on her, she looked less than impressed. The walk up and over this fine wee hill had highlights including lochain Fiarach and a beautifully perched summit, of which there were few stones on the cairn. I could only speculate what the views over to the Crialarich hills would be like. Winnie was just delighted to be returning to the car, while I was glad to kick off my new year with another Graham.

From Infiniti to beyond...well Mona Gowan anyway

Having secured a 48-hour test drive in an Infiniti QX70 SUV, I headed North with Winter seemingly on the Aberdeenshire horizon. I didn't arrive at my intended destination, due West of Scraulac, until 1300 so I did not hang about and headed straight up the Western slopes of this outlier. The weather was closing in and once on to the level slopes of Scraulac, I was being assailed by snow and hail. Rather than head North into the inclement weather, I dropped down and circumvented the head of the coire, taking an Easterly approach to the bealach between Mona Gowan and the Carn. I could see the massive cairn on the top of Mona Gowan and once on to the bealach, the wind blasted me. I didn't hang about and sped up the final slopes to the large cairn. Here, I took refreshement but now that it was 1435, I headed back the way I came. I scared off numerous grouse and Winter hares, before eventually descending to the car at 1545. The road had changed so quickly and I took my time driving over the hill and down into Strathdon, before heading to see my granda. A short but excellent pad across some relatively wild land.

Carn na h-Easgainn

A tiddler just South of Inverness and one that I had spied en route or coming back from business. Being quite fit after my Munro outing a couple of weeks ago, I donned the shorts and took off up the track and past Lynemore, an idyllic wee setting. The land rover track is a bit of an eyesore but takes you steadily up to within several metres of the summit trig point. Here, the views North-West to the Fannaichs, North to Inverness and South to the larger Cairngorms are a reward for such a short trek. I deviated North for 200m to find the cabin, which was unlocked. A huge amount of wood, a stove and some fairly luxurious seating would see this being an ideal place over a Winter's night. There was even a cludgie. I ran back the whole way to the car and done in about 75 minutes. An easy Graham with some excellent views.

Cnoc Coinnich - the return

In January, sleep-deprived and a father after 2 weeks, I was given permission to head and do a hill. I chose this one in very Wintry conditions. Snow, ice and hail. It was a hill, where I almost succumbed to serious injury if not a fatal outcome. Luckily, a slip over a crag ended only battered pride, buttock and face but it really made me think about my role in the new family and how I'd be much better alive than dead. So I swore to my wife I couldn't go back out until the Spring.

I took the opportunity to re-acquaint myself with said hill in much more benign conditions. It couldn't have been a more different day. Up and down in 2.5 hours. The wind was howling once up on to the broad ridge and the views over to the Lochgoilhead Grahams and Beinn Bheula were stunning. As was the view from the precariously situated cairn down Loch Long. Distant hills over towards the Cowal peninsula also looked impressive, even at this range. I took some refreshment in the lee of a small cleft, just below the summit and returned to the car in quick time. Great to be back out again.

Geallaig

En route to aunt and uncle's 30th wedding anniversary in bash, I was desperate to take in a short hill to edge closer to my target of 50 Grahams before baba is born. The forecast wasn't great for late afternoon and the further north I drove, the more bleak it appeared. I chose Geallaig and parked opposite the wee cottage on the B976 (I think). From here, I really motored up the landrover track to the wee post and looked North - it wasn't the best of views but it was still great to get out nonetheless.

 

I contined onwards but unfortunately, it wasn't long before I was in the gloom and could see no further than 30 feet in front of me. Which wasn't a problem as the massive cairn, which encloses the trig point is impossible to miss. I was at the summit within 40 minutes and after a brief refreshment, was back at the car before 70 minutes were up, after a nice run back down. Good to break sweat and edge closer to the magic 50.

 

Lamachan hill and Curleywee

A chance to head South after a meeting on drinking water. Of which there is very little after this prolonged spell of good weather. My plan was to take in the 3 Donalds to the South of Loch Trool but I never got down there until 1340. Despite my best efforts of running along the tracks, it wasn't until 1440 before I started up on to White Hill, just N of Curleywee. And it was a tough slog through tussocky heather, which ended up lacerating my lower limbs. The sweat was pouring off me, while the afternoon was still with no breath of wind. I eventually climbed up on to solid ground, the frustrating and coruscating terrain behind me (until the descent later). I could see the Merrick to the north, imposing and to the east, Mullwharchar was in view. I carried on up to the airy summit cairn of Curleywee and stopped for some sustenance. I could see previous accomplishments in the form of Millfore - a cold day with Craig almost 18 months ago.

The drop down off Curleywee was quick and the ascent up on Bennanbrack was pretty nifty too - looking back to the 1st days' hill and it was a wee belter. From here and on up to Lamachan Hill, was so straightforward but the summit itself is devoid of anything of interest because it is so flat. The cairn was part of a wall which ran West and it was at this point, I had to consider whether I should add on Larg Hill. It would be a round trip of about 4km with some ascent but the time was now 1641 and I knew I had a hard descent ahead to get back to the land rover track. Simple enough down to the two lochains before Mulldonoch but from there down to the track was rough, tough and equally as hurtful as before. I eventually got back to the track and enjoyed the walk back to the car, which was an hour from the summit. A nice but painful day out, these hills require care and a guid pair of trousers I think.