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Sub 2k Marilyns: Tom Bailgeann.
Date: 01/10/2015.
Distance: 36km (cycling), 3km (walking).
Ascent: 500m (cycling), 230m (walking).
Time taken: 3 hours.
Weather: Warm and breezy.
I knew I should've taken the day off to go up some proper hills somewhere, but I couldn't. Instead I compromised and went out on the bike after work, culminating in a short ascent of Tom Bailgeann. The weather was fine, and I wished I'd left work 30 minutes earlier.
I pedalled down to Dores in about 40 minutes and went down to the beach quickly for some photos. With more time I'd have stopped for a pint, but it would be dark before I got to my hill if I'd done that this evening.
Loch Ness from Dores:
Then it was the long slow climb up above Dores, which always slows me right down. Once over the hump, it was a quick descent down past Achnabat and to the start of my walk.
Climbing up the hill towards Loch Duntelchaig:
I had settled on Tom Bailgeann as there is a reasonable track up it, making it easier to come back down in the dark. The evening was almost cloudless, which made the skies away from the west less spectacular than on previous nights.
On foot now at the bottom of Tom Bailgeann:
20 minutes later I was on the summit with the last glow of sunset to the west. Stunning and well worth a stop. I could see all the way from the Loch Lochy hills up to Glen Affric, Sgurr na Lapaich, Strathfarrar, Beinn Dearg and finally Ben Wyvis.
Looking back to Loch Duntelchaig:
Out west:
…and southwest to Drumnadrochit:
Summit mast:
Then it was time to descend. I managed to temporarily misplace myself taking a shortcut, but ended up above a steep craggy gully. I reversed my route and got back on the track again - much safer in the dark!
Then onto the bike for a pleasant cycle home. Although dark, it was pleasantly warm and calm and the stars were out. Almost as good as the 'proper' hills I'd wanted to do
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