Happy day on Beinn Dearg Circuit, Ullapool

[Grisu]

Before I finally leave for my next holiday I need to clear my backlog concerning my last walk in 2020:
After my last adventurous walk in Kintail (see if you like: https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=102938) I spent my time cycling so that my wounds had time to heal. But before leaving Scotland I definitely had to walk again to overcome the little trauma of my bad slip.
The last days of this summer I spent at the nice and very comfortable Altnacealgach Motel, although the midges had become quite annoyning meanwhile:

Motel Altnacealgach

with views to the prominent peaks of Suilven and Canisp in the evening sun

And it didn't take long that a perfect day was looming for a great walk: The Beinn Dearg Circuit:

view from the A 835 with An Teallach in the Distance

I arrived late but not too late to catch the last place at the end of the parking. The start was unusually hassle-free and I enjoyed the steady and peaceful walk although the sun became relentlessly hot very soon.

reflection in Lochan Làthail

Only short before I reached the Lochan Uaine a couple suddenly passed me and it became surprisingly busy around the junction of Lochan Uaine.
I went straight to the wall and started the steep ascent to the first and highest Munro of the day, enjoying the wild scenery down Loch a' Choire Ghrànda approximately half way up:

Loch a' Choire Ghrànda

Reaching the broad plateau with the crumbling cairn of Beinn Dearg the views around were gorgeous : An Teallach, The Fisherfield, The Fannichs, Ben Wyvis, The Assynt Mountains and Seana Braigh and plenty more mountains I cannot name, just look yourself:

happy, happy (sorry guys, I couldn't resist to go up and probably contributed to the damaged but tried hard not to!)

the Assynt Mountains like pearls on a chain

An Teallach

Fannichs, Fisherfield - you name them

The cusp is Seana Braigh?

Resuming my steps for the steep descent I was looking forward to my next munro: Cona' Mheall.

the steep descent back to the junction

Lochan Uaine

It was not difficult to find the path but I was struggling a bit the last third in the hot sun and I was quite relieved when I reached the ridge.

looking back

Although I met some people on my way up which were coming down I was on my own when I reached the cairn. It was about 4 o'clock and I was a bit tired, so I didn't spent a lot of time in the heat of the sun and started my descend very soon with the prospect of two more munros waiting afore me.

happy, happy

at the summit of Cona 'Mheall with great views as far as Ben Klibrek

third time back to the junction

The next munro, Meall nan Ceapraichean, was easy going while the temperature was cooling down a tiny little bit:

that was a quick ascent

Lochan Làthail

again The Assynt Mountains

The descent was a bit long for my liking after that already long day and to add to this I had some trouble to find the right Fjords between the lochans with its muddy and boggy places all over. A little chat about the best route through with some walkers coming from the far side helped and finally I was on the path up to the last munro of the day: Eididh nan Clach Geala.

trouble around the water

off to the next and last munro

the last slog

a last look back

As recommended in the description I went to the second cairn to check a last time the beautiful views in all directions:

and again

Than I started the loooong way back to the parking.
But somehow I lost my orientation as you can see on the map and reluctantly I went back up the munro trying to find the path.

hassle at the end

Despite my struggle I enjoyed the scenery.

Meanwhile I was running out of water, so no time for further adventurous short cuts like on Beinn Eighe (see if you like: https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=102231). I tried to stick to the path but lost it from time to time for no explainable reasons and I was tempted to do another short cut, however I could control myself.
Finally the path became very distinct and took me straight down to the stalkers path.

picture taken short before the stalkers path, saying goodbye to the Mountains

From now on I was safe. Lighthearted and accompanied by plenty of swarms of midges dancing in front of me in the lovely evening sun, I was looking forward to some fish&chips in Ullapool.
But what a shocking change of weather - seefog has come!

Ullapool - blocked views

thankfully it didn't last too long and on my way back I had a nice scenery with the fog in the valley between the Assynt Mountains, only I was too tired to take some decent pictures of this impressive sight.

foggy impressions on my way back

I was very happy and I am still very grateful that I had such a beautiful day for this challenging walk. And before I left I had the chance to do another walk: Stac Pollaidh it was - the remoteness and the scenery with changing clouds and swirling patches of mist made it a very mystic walk with just the right mood to say goodbye to Scotland not knowing when I'll be back due to the c-restrictions.

impression from Stac Pollaidh

Unexpectedly and to my great surprise all restrictions had been lifted in spring 2022. So I got into gears to book and plan and now I am packing and leaving in three days - still can't believe it! Although it was only one year, my heart was aking and it was way too loooong.
However something has changed definitely: For the first time I have to take a passport