Hi everyone, on 7 & 8 May we walked from Oykel Bridge via the Schoolhouse Bothy to Seana Bhràigh, and then descended via a loop (with dramatic views over Glen Douchary) to Inverlael.
Day 1 - We arrive at Oykel Bridge after walking from Glencoul via Gorm Loch Mor to Benmore Forest (the alternative to the more frequently travelled Oykel Bridge to Inchnadamph section of the Cape Wrath Trail). We camp at the base of an impressive waterfall, and the next day make our way via a very messy pathless section to Gorm Loch More and Loch Bealach a Mhadaidh. We camp between the two rivers where the Cape Wrath Trail splits into these two directions (Inchnadamph or via Gorm Loch Mor).
This section of the trail throws the usual Scottish weather at us and it is pretty much wet everywhere, all the time, until we set camp 3 days later between the two rivers. In the evening, we meet up with our friend James at Oykel Bridge for a hiker's dinner.
Day 2 - We set off from Oykel Bridge, where we bid farewell to its lovely host Liz (whom we got to know on our CWT and my husband again on his Scottish National Trail). We stop again at the Schoolhouse Bothy which brings lovely memories from our CWT in 2020, and then head towards Coiremor / Magoo's Bothy. We arrive in the late afternoon with lovely weather and enjoy our time by the beautiful Loch. The following day we make our way to Seana Bhràigh via a pretty steep ascent and then spend an hour walking across the beautiful high plateau / broad ridge line, with views over Glen Douchary, until we finally descent to Inverlael. Our friend James had told us about a campspot close to Inverlael (which is likely the least accessible campspot I have ever seen in Scotland), where we rest after a steep descent (and an equally steep ascent first thing in the morning) to Inverlael and Ullapool, and then back home.
This is a video of our adventure which we put together. Hope you enjoy it !
And this is where we camped on our last night (the little stretch of green squeezed between the slope and the ravine) (thanks James!)
Warning
Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. Summer routes may not be viable or appropriate in winter. See winter information on our skills and safety pages for more information.