2 separate Kintail hills, shorter walks but a great day

[gld73]

A 6.50am call-out meant I over-ran my Ft Augustus shift and so didn't get back to the B&B until nearly 10, so by the time I had a good breakfast there, didn't leave the B&B until 1030am. I'd had half a plan to re-do some of the Kintail munros, but decided maybe a couple of the hills I still had to do would be good now - both ones close to the A87 that I'd seen so often and looked impressive, but individually didn't seem worth a trip as they're relatively short walks. Both in a day would be a good combination though.

Saturday of Easter bank holiday weekend, and good weather - not surprisingly, all the lay-bys good for hill walks along Cluanie, Glenshiel and Kintail had several cars in already, so when I got near to the start point for the path up Biod an Fhitich, I parked in the first layby (just before Malagan Bridge) where there was a place left,rather than risk not getting a place later. I assume the handful of cars were for people doing The Saddle or a couple of the other hills done from here, as I didn't see anyone else on the graham.

View from layby start point. Biod an Fhithich on right

Nice straightforward there and back route with good views. Constructed path up to the spot it splits to the Forcan Ridge, then heading up to BaF on the obvious line, a worn path in places. Returned same way. 6.5km and 2.2hrs round trip but I wasn't dawdling.

At the summit of Biod an Fhithich

Summit Cairn looking west

Forcan Ridge

The Five Sisters across the other side of the A87

The hill I'd be doing next, Sgurr an Airgid

Heading back down to the path junction at the col. The path back to the road cuts left across and down the slope; the path going up directly ahead heads for The Saddle / Forcan Ridge

I'd booked Glenshiel Campsite for the night, so while it was dry and light, I stopped in on the way to pitch my tent before continuing on to the parking area by the burial ground to do Sgùrr an Airgid. (Both hills could actually be done from the campsite if staying there, but I didn't have enough time for that today).

Car park at burial ground, sign post makes it clear where to start the walk up Sgurr an Airgid

Good clear path all the way up to the col, then somehow I got to the cairn marking where this path heads down and completely lost the trodden path. I took my own route further to the right which ended up going round and through bogs and big peat hags, whereas I should have stuck to the left (I took that path on the way back and don't know I missed it in the other direction). Anyway, a good walk up the hill to the broken trig pillar, and returned roughly the same way. Views heading back seemed better than when heading up. 3.2hrs round trip, but thinking I'd had a late start to the day I still had in my head I'd be finishing late, so hadn't explored the hill as much as I should have.

View back down to the start point from the lower slopes of Sgurr an Airgid

After the zig zag path up and getting to the flatter section, I inadvertently abandoned the path and just headed across bogs and hags, aiming for the right of the rocky ridge up the next steeper section (rejoined the path there)

Sgurr an Airgid summit

And again

Dedicated bank of cloud for the Cuillin

Beinn Sgritheall (zoomed)

Enjoyed the views on the way back down. This reminds me, I still need to do the Affric Way through this glen

A' Ghlas bheinn

Heading back to the car, could have walked to the campsite from here

Both walks done quicker than I expected, I'd been concerned I might not finish the walking and tent pitching before dusk, but I got back to the campsite, showered and had tea all while it was still light.