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Another long weekend was looming (I had gone back to work for a couple of days rather than take the entire Easter fortnight off). While sub-zero temperatures and snow showers seemed to be the theme after our mini heatwave in Torridon (temperatures all the way into double figures
), the wind looked to be dropping again, and plenty of sunshine was forecast between the showers. After initially planning to go down to Glenelg and Arnisdale, we swapped at the last minute for the other side of the water. Jackie was uncertain of her abilities and there was a much wider selection of small hills on Skye. We packed for a couple of nights of camping, fully expecting to give up after one.
Friday 09/04/21 Sgurr na h-Iolaire: 170m ascent, 3km, 2 hours, 10 minutes.The weather had varied on the drive over from bright sunshine to driving snow, but winter was definitely back on the hills for a short while. As an easy warm-up for the first day (it was getting on for 3pm by the time we crossed onto Skye anyway
), we decided to head down the Sleat peninsula again. Sgurr na h-Iolaire would be a quick summit with great views.
Parking up at the weir on Loch Dhughaill, we set off in sunshine. The water was running over the top of the weir but it wasn't too deep, and on the other side was a path of sorts. We could see the trig point at the summit of the hill so this wasn't going to take too long.
Loch Dhughaill The ground was a little squelchy and heathery but nothing particularly bad. Halfway between the end of the loch and the summit, it began to snow again. Lightly at first and then quite intensely! Since we had picked this hill for the views, we decided to hide behind a rock and wait it out. About 15 minutes later, the sun returned and we moved on.
Heading for Sgurr na h-Iolaire 
Weather moving in We took a direct route up the craggy face of the hill, finding a ledge to lead us through, and 5 minutes later we were on the summit. The cloud was gradually clearing, and when it had gone, it was well worth the wait lower down.
Weather clearing again - Blaven and the Red Cuillin 
Blaven, Garbh-bheinn and Belig 
Rum emerging from the cloud 
Loch Nevis 
Blaven 
Beinn Sgritheall and Loch Hourn 
Last look up Loch Slapin After a good 40 minutes enjoying the views, we retraced our steps back to the car. It was now early evening and time to find somewhere to camp. We had ideas of wandering down towards the Point of Sleat and finding somewhere secluded to put the tent up, but another snow shower and laziness drove us to pick a spot on the Tarskavaig road that we were already on. We just had time to put up the tent before it snowed heavily again for 30 minutes.
Crossing the weir at Loch Dhughaill 
Knoydart and the Sound of Sleat from our camping spot 
Ladhar Bheinn 
Another snow shower over dinner Later on we drove back to the high point of the road for sunset over the Cuillin - it was bloody freezing
. The night in the tent was pretty cold too (dropped to around -3 I think) - I need a new sleeping bag!
Cuillin from the top of the Tarskavaig road 
Sun going down over the Little Minch 
Black Cuillin 
Last of the sun obscured by cloud ____________________________________________________
Saturday 10/04/21 Sgurr na Coinnich, Beinn na Caillich: 750m ascent, 8.5km, 5 hours, 50 minutes.The following morning had more snow showers interspersed with strong sunshine. A look at the weather forecast hinted that the expected band of rain on Sunday evening had now disappeared, and Monday looked good too. We had decided against Jackie's better judgement to go up one or both of the hills north of Kylerhea Glen today, but we went into the Co-op at Broadford first to get an extra day's worth of food - we might stick it out longer than planned if the cold didn't get to us first!
Parking up on Bealach Udal, we set off up the slopes towards Beinne na Greine. Due to the snow showers of the last week, there was actually quite a fair coverage up here which made the going more difficult than expected. Although we picked out a faint quad bike track for parts of the ascent, the vegetation was thicker than I had remembered.
Ben Aslak above Bealach Udal After 40 minutes or so, we had made some progress but not as much as hoped for, and it started to snow heavily again. We sheltered behind a boulder and had some lunch (a late start as ever), and Jackie told me she felt awful. I had undersold the difficulty of the route as usual and she didn't really feel like going on.
Surprise - it's snowing again! As usual though, she was stubborn, and after I suggested turning back, she decided to carry on at least to the ridge above so we could get some views. There was more heather and pockets of deep snow, but eventually we were on the ridge and the summit looked more achievable. She perked up a bit and we pushed on to the top, the views improving all the time.
Rum and Loch Eishort 
Black Cuillin starting to emerge 
On our way up Sgurr na Coinnich 
South over Ben Aslak and Beinn na Seamraig 
Broadford, Scalpay and the Cuillin 
Eigg 
Looking across Kyle of Lochalsh towards Applecross 
Kyle of Lochalsh from Sgurr na Coinnich 
Inner Sound 
Loch Alsh and Kintail 
Jackie on Sgurr na Coinnich 
Kyleakin and the Skye Bridge 
Loch Alsh This summit is really excellent once you get above the initial heather. It is quite steep and rocky and you are in a pivotal location with Knoydart, Kintail, Applecross and the Cuillin all looking marvellous, as well as the inlets to the various sea lochs and the Inner Sound. Despite the moderate height and time of year, it felt like full-on winter up here - probably our most wintery walk this season. I pointed out Beinn na Caillich for a future visit, but before I knew it we had come up with a plan to drop down to the base of it (with a traverse back across the slopes of Sgurr na Coinnich possible if Jackie changed her mind about going up). We dropped down to the col, feeling more like we were on the high ridges of Kintail, and Jackie decided that she wanted to have a go at Beinn na Caillich.
Beinn na Caillich 
Looks like we're going up! I vaguely remember a path of sorts here, but the preferred route today was to stick to the west side of the ridge and away from any icy rocks. Here, we could climb up steep heathery snow and weave about to avoid the most awkward bits. Again the going felt way more epic than we would have expected from these hills, and before too long we were on the ridge with a short ascent to the summit.
Looking back to Sgurr na Coinnich 
Up the steep bit 
Looking down on Kyle Rhea and Glenelg Spirits had risen and we weren't too bothered about being hit by more snow showers - they were always temporary and followed by sunshine. In the end we only really caught the edge of some flurries, and were glad we had made the effort. I think this hill has even better views than the other one so I was glad (and surprised) we'd made it this far.
More weather moving in over Glenelg 
Loch Alsh and Loch Carron 
Weather on Glas Bheinn 
Inner Sound and Raasay 
Looking down onto Kyle 
Black Cuillin and Blaven above Broadford 
Kyle Rhea 
Luinne Bheinn and Ladhar Bheinn Earlier in the week we had considered camping up here, but I'm glad we hadn't bothered. I don't think my gear is warm enough and I think Jackie would have struggled in the snow with a backpack in her current condition. We dropped back down to the col following our footprints and readied ourselves for a slightly tedious traverse back to the starting point. One day I intend to do a proper horseshoe of these hills and Ben Aslak from Kylerhea, but it hadn't really fitted the bill today as Jackie wouldn't have been able to manage the required ascent.
Knackered! 
Looking back at Beinn na Caillich The traverse started well, then we dropped steeply into Coire na Coinnich. Amusingly this is where it got rough (looking back at a report I had written for doing this in 2013, I had called this section easy and the traverse we had just done rougher
. Seems I have finally found out what it's like to be caught out by one of my reports
). We thought it would be a good idea to just keep dropping down the corrie to meet the road rather than trying to traverse back to the top of the pass. Who knows what was easier, but lower down the corrie, the ground was even worse - steep slopes, deep heather and hidden tussocks and new trees planted!
Beinn Sgritheall 
Ladhar Bheinn 
5 Sisters above Glenelg By the time we dropped out onto the road, Jackie was just about done for the day, but decided to carry on walking (I had offered to get the car and pick her up). This was straightforward but involved another 100m of ascent.
In Kylerhea Glen We had considered camping spots back down the road towards Broadford on the drive up - we wanted something sheltered from the light but savagely cold north wind. In the end I moved the car slightly to create a barrier and we ended up putting the tent right next to it in our parking spot - super lazy
)
Lazy (but nice) choice of camping spot We had a leisurely dinner and were in a good place to observe the sunset again. Despite the chill, the evening was beautiful. In the 15 hours or so that we were at the tent, we only observed one car passing.
Bla Bheinn from Bealach Udal 
Saddle from Bealach Udal 
Sunset over the Red Cuillin ____________________________________________________________
Sunday11/04/21 Boreraig and Sushinish coast walk: 420m ascent, 17.5km, 5 hours, 25 minutes.Another cold night turned into another bright morning - once the sun hit the tent, lying there without my face buried in the sleeping bag was suddenly comfortable
. Surprisingly after the exertions of yesterday, Jackie felt better than she had the previous morning. The original plan had been to nip up another small hill then home, but the weather looked to be holding so I suggested the coastal loop of Boreraig and Sushinish - quite long but entirely on paths with only gentle ascent.
Another cold but sunny morning 
Strathcarron from Broadford By the time we started, the sun was lovely and warm if the breeze could be avoided, and as we climbed up the tramway past the old marble workings, I regretted the layers I had on. After a break and some more walking, we dropped down to Boreraig. This was a beautiful spot with views out to Rum.
Beinn Dearg Mor and Beinn na Caillich from Suardail 
Bla Bheinn 
Beinn na Caillich from near the old marble quarries 
Blaven, Clach Glas, Garbh-bheinn and Belig 
Happy that we're on a path today 
The path to Boreraig 
Sleat and Rum from Boreraig 
Boreraig and Rum 
Across to Sgaith Beinn-an-Uird We had another break in the shelter of an old ruin, enjoying the view back over a low bit of Skye to Beinn Sgritheall. Then it was onto the shoreline for an entertaining traverse below the cliffs - there was a good path the whole way but the situation was interesting.
Loch Eishort and Beinn Sgritheall 
West along the coast from Boreraig 
Mainland peeking out behind Loch Eishort 
Waterfall on the coast 
Coast path 
Looking east again 
Eigg and Rum 
Loch Eishort Climbing back up to higher ground, we traversed round Sushinish to the north, and were then hit by the edge of various snow and sleet showers for the next hour or so. I had been hoping for panoramic views of the Black Cuillin as we turned north, but they were all shrouded for much of the walk. At least the going was good underfoot, although Jackie was now tiring.
Sushinish and Bla Bheinn 
Rum behind another shower 
Looking up Loch Slapin We hit the end of the tarmac at Camas Malag just as the cloud began to draw back from Bla Bheinn. It had soon disappeared completely, leaving us in sunshine and a bit of warmth. On the east-facing slopes of Ben Meabost and Nead an Fhior-eoin, fresh snow was prominent, it now being too late in the day to catch the sun again.
Bla Bheinn emerging from another snow shower 
Bla Bheinn, Clach Glas and Garbh-bheinn 
Bla Bheinn to Belig 
Bla Bheinn and Clach Glas Jackie eventually flaked out on the walk back along the road and I left her on the shore of Loc Cill Chriosd in the sun to go and get the car from Suardail. We fancied being at Elgol for the sunset, so after picking her up, we continued down the road, looking for a camp spot.
Bla Bheinn from Loch Cill Chriosd 
Beinn na Caillich 
Church at Suardail We found a great one on the grazing just after the Drinan junction - brilliant views back to the mainland in the east.
Beinn Dearg Mor from Drinan 
Mainland from Drinan 
Camping near Drinan After dinner, we drove round to Elgol and wandered out onto the beach for sunset. You can't really get much better than that - even the cold didn't bother us!
Rum from above Elgol 
Gars-bheinn and the Black Cuillin 
Black Cuillin from Elgol 
Sgurr nan Gillean and Sgurr na Stri prominent 
Jackie on the beach at Elgol 
Elgol crags 
Rum 
Across Loch Scavaig 
Zoom to Canna 
Black Cuillin and Loch Scavaig 
Sgurr na Stri and Marsco 
Sun going down over Soay 
Sun leaving 
Black Cuillin after sundown ________________________________________________________
Monday 12/04/21 Beinn Meabost: 220m ascent, 2.5km, 2 hours, 15 minutes; Beinn nan Carn: 205m ascent, 4km 2 hours, 25 minutes.Last night had been the warmest of the 3 nights in the tent, but that wasn't really saying much. Still, another bright and sunny day ahead, and a warm bed awaiting us at home in the evening. We were almost camped at the foot of our next objective (Ben Meabost), so after watching the highland cattle surround the tent over breakfast and moving out of the way of some peat cutters who turned up, we packed the tent away and re-parked in the quarry beneath the hill.
Sgurr Fhurain and Beinn Sgritheall at sunrise 
Sunrise over Loch Slapin 
Cows at breakfast Ben Meabost is steep but the going was good, mostly on grazed ground, and the plateau was only a short distance away. Jackie had suggested camping up here last night. I had liked the idea, but felt it was already cold enough where we were!
Beinn Dearg Mor and Beinn Dearg Beag 
Eigg and Rum Once on the plateau, we headed for a cairn on a rise at the NW side - excellent views for very little effort
. While this isn't as impressive as Sgurr na Stri, it is a pretty good alternative if you don't have the time or energy. We spent a good hour up here before deciding to head down.
Bla Bheinn 
Across Loch Slapin 
Gars-bheinn and Sgurr Dubh Mor 
On the summit of Beinn na Cro 
Across Soay to South Uist and Barra 
Rum, with Coll just visible behind left 
Jaxter 
Canna and Soay 
South ridge of Bla Bheinn 
Sgurr Dubh Mor, Sgurr na Banadaich and Sgurr a Gheardaidh 
Gars-bheinn across Loch Scavaig 
Beinn Mhor on South Uist 
Knoydart biggies across Sleat 
Rum 
Mainland and Sleat 
Descending Ben Meabost We stopped off at the head of Loch Slapin for lunch, and Jackie decided she could probably manage another hill - why not try to make the most of the great weather?
Bla Bheinn and Clach Glas We had earmarked Beinn nan Carn as a possible walk for this trip. I didn't think it would seem that interesting after Ben Meabost, but I was wrong. The temperature warmed up slightly as we drove around to Haesta - a new corner for me. Parking just above the village, we crossed a dyke and followed a fence around the edge of enclosures. There were a couple of boggy moments here but the going was OK.
Rum from Haesta 
Beinn nan Carn We started following a burn uphill, concerned that we would soon be marooned in deep heather, but before long we picked up a series of old dykes. We were able to use these and a couple of clear runs of ground to get almost all the way onto the summit plateau, there just being a short steep stretch at the end.
Loch Eishort from above Haesta 
Mouth of Loch Hourn 
Following a dyke to the summit The summit didn't quite the views of the Cuillin that Ben Meabost did, but there were probably a wider variety of things to see - we ended up enjoying this hill just as much, and spent another 45 minutes lounging up there.
Eigg and Rum 
Loch Eishort, Haesta and the mainland 
Cuillin from Beinn nan Carn 
Rum from Beinn nan Carn 
Sleat and Loch Eishort 
Bla Bheinn 
Sgurr Alasdair and Sgurr Dearg 
Lunch (for the second time) 
Rum We followed a slightly different series of dykes down to the car, then took a short detour down to the shore of Loch Eishort before hitting the road home.
Loch Hourn and Ladhar Bheinn 
Haesta and Knoydart Not overly ambitious compared to our more usual trips, but a really enjoyable few days away. Jackie's Long Covid might be a bit of a life ruiner for now, but at least we are able to do this sort of thing
.
