Claire H and myself set off from Kingussie on Friday morning, aiming to meet up for a walk on some of the Glenshiel hills with Anna B who was staying in her van. However, an accident had led to a closure of the A82 at Invergarry – so we had to resort to Plan B, a run over the Loch Lochy Munros. Conditions were tropical with mizzle on the summits, and Claire led an excellent wild flower refresher course en route. After an invigorating swimble in Loch Oich the road luckily had opened up again, avoiding a lengthy detour to Plockton. Meanwhile, Rob had a good day on Moruisg, whilst David had a 10 hour bike and hike adventure to bag Carn na Breabaig & An Cruachan. Over the course of the evening they as well as all other meet attendees arrived at Plockton’s bunkhouse for a sociable evening.
Saturday’s forecast was splendid. Claire and a duet of Duncans and a David went to the Blaven car park and up to Sgurr nan Each. Claire and the Duncans went across the Clach Glas – Blaven traverse where they enjoyed soloing the scramble sections and Duncan I led the charge up a soggy 5m section after they’d all had a bit of a mare route-finding on a bit they hadn’t read up about in the book. The impostor was particularly fun! They traversed the twin tops of Blaven with immaculate views across to the Cuillin, and returned to the car park and a waiting David who – knackered from the day before – had been for a low-level walk to Loch na Sguabaid. Shireen and Fiona C enjoyed the views on Moruisg and Sgurr nan Ceannaichean. Gillian, Perry and myself were just on the next set of hills. After crossing the rope bridge, the three of us had walked up to the Bealach Bernaise, from where Perry and I went over to Beinn Tharsuinn before tracking back and up to Sgurr na Feartaig, whilst Gillian went straight up the second Corbett and enjoyed the sun whilst doing some crosswords on the summit before meeting up with us again to cross another rickety bridge close to the dam at the foot of Sgurr na Ferataig. Claire G, Nicola K, Anna L and Sophie met up with Anna B for a scrambly ascent of The Saddle and Sgurr na Sgine. Andrew T enjoyed the Five Sisters of Kintail, whilst Rob had a massive day on the Fisherfield 5 with a bike-in from Kinlochewe. Nicola, Claire G, Sophie, Anna L and Martha enjoyed a lovely dip at Plockton’s Coral Beach, after which Perry, the Duncans, the Claires, David and Martha treated themselves to a tasty dinner at the Plockton Hotel (thanks Claire G for organising!).
On Sunday, Rob was broken from his big Fisherfields adventure and headed straight back to Edinburgh. Nicola, Duncan I and Anna L did A’Chralaig and Mullach Fraoch-choire and were joined for part of the route by Andrew, after which Nicola and Andrew returned to Edinburgh. Sophie went for an adventure on her road bike. The Claires, Duncan D and Martha set off on their bikes from the Attadale car park. Within a few km they were dropped by Claire G who clearly was on a mission to summit Sgurr Choinnich, Sgurr a ‘Chaorachain and Bidean an Eoin Deirg before the bad weather was predicted to come in. Duncan D returned just after Beinn Dronaig bothy to make his way back home, whilst Claire H and myself went up Meall Mor, Lurgh Mor and Bidein a’Choire Sheasgaich, bypassing most of the scrambly bits between the Lurg Mhor tops as the rock was all rather greasy and slippery in the rain which had set in by then. Fiona and Perry had a good day up An Ruadh-stac (but did note that the attempt of an alternative descent was maybe not the most enjoyable). David T did another bike and hike, this time over Sgurr na Feartaig. Gillian was up a little hill, whilst poor Shireen was still battling with the food poisoning she had acquired earlier in the week.
On Sunday, faced with the longest way home, Gillian set off first thing in the morning. Fiona and Shireen made their way to Torridon where they were planning to stay for a few extra days. The rest of us was aiming for a sociable Graham walk at Strathcarron, but another Plan B had to be developed due to yet another road closure. Claire H decided on a run up Beinn Dhorain, whilst Duncan I, Perry, Anna L, Claire H, David and myself went up Biod am Fhithich (which was David’s 4th ascent of this hill!). We enjoyed atmospheric views, and a lot more botany lessons by Claire.
Thanks to everyone who made this such an enjoyable weekend!
Martha
