25-02-2013 - 12-03-2013
 |
| Ben Nevis from Gleann Sron a' Chreagain |
The ambition and plan was quite simple – get all the Marilyn
and lesser hills in Moidart, Morvern and the east side of Ardgour in one
journey, however long it would take. It took over two weeks. It is a lovely
area – has a feeling of remoteness, whereas Fort William is just over the
water. It has the feeling of an island – indeed, two ways of getting there are
by short ferry crossings. And, I was very lucky with the weather – plenty of
sunshine, very little rain/snow and frozen ground everywhere. It was so dry
that moorland fires burnt for several days in Glen Scaddle.
 |
| Leacraithnaich bothy |
I was fortunately given permission to drive to Leacraithnaich
bothy to make access to both An Sleagach (515m P310) and Beinn a’Chaisil (437m
P182) much easier than having to walk in all the way from Achranich. Future
baggers beware, though, the estate were putting in a new gate, during my stay,
to prevent unauthorised vehicle access. Nice bothy – although I was comfortable
and warm in the motorhome.
 |
An Sleagach and the Sound of Mull
 |
| Beinn a'Chaisil |
 |
| Descending from the clouded land of Beinn Chlaonleud |
|
 |
Beinn Mheadhoin summit
|
Beinn Mheadhoin (739m P568) was a fascinating mountain with
some great views – I enjoyed walking the full horseshoe of Coire Ban.
 |
| Meall nan Each - Ben Laga in distance |
Then it was a change of area to Morvern. Ben Laga (512m
P356) and Meall nan Each (490m P214) were fun. Although I had already done the
Ardnamurchan Marilyns on a previous visit I made a quick detour to get the
Hump, Beinne Bhuidhe (161m P125) – mainly because it is the most westerly
mainland Hump. This means I have now visited the four cardinal mainland Humps.
Hopefully, this autumn I will successfully bag the remaining most outermost
British Hump, Cnoc Glas, on Soay.
 |
| Tides out in the North Channel - from Shona Beag |
Next on the agenda was to tackle the tidal island of Eilean
Shona to bag Beinn a’Bhaillidh (265m P265). I arrived two hours before low tide
and the crossing point was quite dry – I suspect that it spends more time dry each
day than under water. The hardest part is crossing Shona Beag which forms a
Subhump (102m P99) – although, not all that obvious there is a well engineered
path down from the summit of Shona Beag through the bracken to the beach between
the two parts of the island. This is contrary to the descriptions I have read
elsewhere.
 |
Rock on Shona
 |
Caisteal Tioram on another tidal island
|
 |
On the Silver Walk - tree growing where the TV used to be - that's Shona at far back
|
|
 |
| Carna from beach at Laga |
The puzzle of how to get on to the island of Carna to get Cruachan
Charna (170m P170) was more easily solved than I thought it was going to be.
Andy Jackson from Ardnamurchan Charters based in Laga is the caretaker for the
holiday-let cottages on the island and he was doing some repairs. He gave me a
lift there and back for a nominal contribution to the fuel costs.
 |
| Tag and Dexter - or is it Dexter and Tag? |
And, what a fine little island it is. It took just over an
hour to visit the top and then do a part circumnavigation in the company of Tag and Dexter - Andy's two dogs.
The hills on the east side of Ardgour overlooking Loch
Linnhe involve lengths trips along the tops and equally lengthy return journeys
along the glens – so, a number of long days were spent getting them.
 |
| Stob Coire a'Chearcaill |
 |
| Ballachulish bridge from Beinn Leamhain |
 |
| A'Bheinn Bhan |
 |
| Beinn na h-Uamha from River Gour |
 |
| Crags on A'Bheinn Bhan |
 |
| Glen Gour after a light snowfall |
 |
| Loch nan Gabhar, Glen Gour |
 |
| My bike at private Corrlarach bothy Glen Cona |
 |
| Stob Mhic Bheathain |
 |
| B na h-Uamha tree |
