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For the first time in years, winter wonderland came to northern Scotland just after Christmas. Even with the current restrictions, we are still allowed to travel in the Highlands, so we decided to take a short trip to Torridon to end a sad year on a brighter note. Sadly, my knee was still in a poor state, therefore no proper mountaineering despite decent conditions.
So many bad things happened in 2020 that we really want it to go away, bring on 2021 and fingers crossed it will be better! And a few hours spent walking in the winter wonderland felt like the best way to start a new chapter.
There is an old Polish expression about remote places, some are so obscure that even a dog with a limp leg wouldn't pay them a visit. Today, we didn't plan anything remote but because of my sore knee, I felt a bit like the proverbial limping dog (or a limping cat
). Kevin didn't mind walking at lower pace, he was so stuffed with mince pies, cheesecake, apfelstrudel and other sweet treats, that he could barely move
The morning in Torridon was cloudy, snow still falling when we drove down towards Kinlochewe:
![2020-12-28 torridon 043.JPG]()
- Driving in the winter wonderland...
We wanted to climb Bidein Clann Raonaild, but because it was still in cloud, we decided to drive a bit further north and walk around Loch Coulin first, hoping for better weather later in the day. We had done this walk may times but it is always a nice experience, even in so-so weather.
Kevin ready for winter adventures. Let's burn some festive calories!
At the beginning, I struggled to move, but later, I noticed that despite the stiffness, the exercise didn't make my knee feel worse. At some point, the ache became less annoying, maybe I just got used to it, or maybe it was improving (hope never dies
).
Shame the more distant views were not on display today, especially Liathach and Beinn Eighe, but it was still a nice landscape to admire:
Meall an Leathaid Mhoir reflected in Loch Coulin:
Close encounter of the coo kind
Weather improving after a couple of hours of limping in the winter wonderland:
The temperature was slightly above zero and the snow was beginning to melt, but there was no wind, so not bad a day after all:
Having returned to the car, I decided, that if I was giving my knee a proper bashing, we might just as well climb Bidein Clann Raonaild too, perhaps we'll see some nice wintry views?
The word "climbing" in case of Bidein Clann Raonaild does not really seem appropriate, as this Sub'2000 Marylin is hardly two hours walk and it has a TV mast built on the summit, so a wide track can be followed all the way. We had done it before but always wanted to re-visit in snowy conditions.
There is limited parking by the entrance gate:
We were lucky today to meet a small herd of deer, enjoying their afternoon hay snack from the nearby feeder:
Some had already finished their meal and just sat on the slope, watching us curiously. They were all stags, all looking strong and healthy. Some might say, they were looking good for a pot
We geared up and started up the track, the first section is through some nice pine woods:
We were the only walkers here today, it was nice to march on the pristine snow:
The gate leading to the open hillside is padlocked, but just to the left side there is a hole in the fence big enough for a person to squeeze through. Or you could just quickly climb over the gate - suit yourself
The track, as mentioned above, goes all the way to the summit so even a dog with a limp could navigate here, let alone Kevin
Two hinds watching us from the distance:
The summit was still in clag and we have already given up hope for unobscured summit views...
We took our time (still had over two hours till the sunset) and just enjoyed walking in the fresh, crunchy snow. Who knows how long it will stay. In recent years, we had few opportunities for proper winter walking. Early spring 2020 would have been a good one for crampons & axe fun, but let's not cry over spilled milk...
The virgin snow:
Icicles:
Kevin marching towards the summit:
The top of Bidein Clann Raonaild:
Annoyingly, the clag still lingered around the summit and all we could see was a glimpse of Beinn Eighe through the mist:
We returned the way we came and again I noticed, to my great content, that my leg wasn't hurting as much as I expected it to hurt, is it a positive sign? I still felt the ache in my knee when moving downhill, but it was bearable. On our previous visit to the hills last month, I had to take painkillers to walk down the mountain, so there is improvement, just frustrating it takes so long!
On the way down we were pleasantly surprised by the afternoon light, perfect for atmospheric winter photos:
Fuar Tholl in sunset mode:
Wider pano of Fuar Tholl and Beinn Liath Mhor:
Looking back up the track:
Kevin heading back to the gate:
I'm so glad to wave 2020 goodbye, it was a year like no year before, a year everybody wants to forget. All I can say to sum it up... Happy to have survived it in one piece! Hopefully, the next one brings us joy and happiness rather than Covid and frustration!
