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This was one of those trips where I took hundreds of photos and even narrowing it down to 50 was hard. So I gave up – there are many
We made the stunning drive down to Badrallach (my first trip down that road) and parked up at the end of the road. It was a stunning day and the views back up Little Loch Broom were amazing. I'd (stupidly) driven all the way so I was already knackered
Looking across to Sail Mhor and Beinn Dearg Bheag peeking out to the left
After making sure we had everything packed (most of it in Malky’s rucksack
) we set out along the track towards Scoraig – it was easy underfoot to begin with
Caterpillar
Despite the sun beating down, there was a chilly wind and it wasn’t as warm as it looked!
The cliffs below us looked interesting
After around 2km we left the track and headed up a grassy ridge. The ground was not bad underfoot and there were traces of path which helped. It was steep and the sun was beating down on us. I wasn’t feeling as bad as sometimes but it was still slow work and a struggle.
However, when we popped out the top of the ridge, the views across to the summit of Beinn Ghoblach were fabulous (as well as being soul-destroyingly far away
We found a large slab to sit on and have a good long break – I reckoned we’d more than earned it. The lochan could be our last real chance to refill the water bottles until the next day so we drank as much as we could.
Looking across the Summer Isles to north Lewis
Cnoc a’ Bhaid-rallaich – possible target for the next day
Beinn Ghobhlach across Loch na h-Uidhe
Sadly break time was over and we plodded our way around the end of the lochan and began heading up the steep side of the mountain – as we looked back we realised that it would probably have been quicker to cut in between the lochans
The views of An Teallach were awesome
The steep hillside was a struggle – the ground wasn’t that bad at all but the lack of path meant it was very difficult for me to plod slowly. Malky did his best to help push me up things but it was hard work - I should probably have given up (might have avoided feeling terrible later on) but hindsight...
We could see the wee Loch a’ Bhealaich below – we were hoping to visit it on the way down – with Seana Bhraigh and the Beinn Dearg munros in the distance
As we got higher we picked up bits of path and easier ground which helped a lot. We also started to catch the wind which didn’t bode too well for pitching the tent
Finally on the ridge it was a short stroll to the summit where the views out to Beinn Mor Coigach were visible – wow
An Teallach and Sail Mhor with the Fisherfield Deargs peeking through behind
Fannaichs
We found a nice flat spot a few metres from the summit and got the tent pitched – it was a bit blowy but we thought it would be ok especially with us in it
An impressive skyline of Beinn Alligin & Baosbheinn
Summit of Beinn Ghobhlach
The Stornoway ferry heading out from Ullapool
Now we were able to relax we found a sheltered side of the large summit shelter and were able to enjoy some hot chocolate with wonderful views. As the evening drew on we enjoyed our dinner and the light changing on An Teallach
Although I'd felt pretty rough on the way up, now on the top and able to relax I felt a little better.
At last the sun began its descent
It was definitely chilly and as the sun dipped further the temperature started to plummet – we shifted further around the shelter as the wind direction spun around
The Western Isles had some cool fog or maybe just a reflection – either way it looked really cool
An Teallach – getting dimmer
Clisham and the Harris hills now clearer with the sun gone
Some lovely bouncy light as the last of the daylight disappears and we retreated to the tent and our sleeping bags
There were all sorts of aurora alerts pinging around but sadly the moon was too bright and the clouds in the wrong place. It made for some cool shots though…
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The following morning I woke up in time to see the moon finally dropping towards the horizon
Not the best sunrise ever but some cool clouds and colours
A few hours sleep later, things had warmed up and we (by “we” I mean “Malky”) got breakfast on
Outside the tent things were even clearer than the day before
We sat around for a while just enjoying being there. As soon as we started to move I was going to start feeling rubbish again so it was nice to just relax. Eventually we packed up and headed along the ridge – we were going to drop down towards Coire Crom and cut back towards the wee lochan
Looking back to the summit
We had a wander a short way along the other side of the horseshoe – enough to get an uninterrupted view of Beinn Mor Coigach
Looking down the ridge and out to the end of the peninsula. It would have been nice to go all the way to the end of the ridge but I figured it would be too much (let's face it - I'd probably already done too much
)
Ben More Assynt with Klibreck to the right
As we started heading down the steep slopes we could see the enticing Loch a’ Bhealaich ahead, which Cnoc a’ Bhaid-rallaich behind.
It was steep and felt endless but eventually we were down at the bealach where there were some cool rock formations
A lochan and a beach
We dumped our bags and went for a paddle – it was lovely here and we could have stayed for hours (although it was far too cold for actual swimming!)
Eventually we got our boots back on and began to head up the side of Cnoc a’ Bhaid-rallaich – I totally fell for Malky’s “it’s actually easier to go over it than round it” bullsh*t
Despite not being very far or much ascent, it was hard work! We stopped several times for views as we crossed the hillside and finally were on the final approach. As we took a break I saw we were looking directly through the gap between An Teallach and Sail Mhor towards the impressive ridge of Beinn Dearg Bheag. Nice
This rock looks like a dragon head!
Finally on the summit I was pretty broken and lay down for a while, but it was yet another spectacular viewpoint. We were now looking directly across Little Loch Broom to An Teallach
Beinn Dearg munros and the Fannaichs
Beinn Dearg munros with the Marilyn Beinn nam Ban in front – that hill would not be happening today!
Cnoc a’ Bhaid-rallaich summit
A slightly different angle on Ben Mor Coigach & Cul Mor/Beag
Looking back to Beinn Ghobhlach
We had a good lie down on the slabs here (I was pretty pooped) and Malky is contemplating how he’s going to get me down from here
Eventually he did get me moving – we headed pretty much directly downhill as far as we could until we needed to start weaving around crags.
The ground got gradually worse as we dropped lower and we had to dodge around a bit at the bottom to avoid a fence, but eventually we were on the road and a short (but uphill
) walk later we were back at the car. I collapsed into the passenger seat and threw the keys at Malky – there was no way I was driving, I was barely conscious
As it was such a lovely day we stopped at the viewpoint looking down to Ullapool…
…then decided to look at Corrieshalloch Gorge – I’d driven past so many times but never got round to stopping. The photos don’t do it justice at all but it was terrifyingly impressive!
The couple of minutes walk back to the car were a huge struggle so I zonked out in the car (the best way to appreciate Malky’s driving
) and let him get on with it
Yet again I'd done far too much and would pay for it, but adapting from a very active lifestyle to one where I can't do things is so difficult
