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.

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.