Marsco - best seat in the house

[thepigguy]

Marsco.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

Surrounded by mightier, rockier summits, Marsco more than holds its own against its larger neighbours. With great PR in the guidebooks and here on Walkhighlands (the word "finest" appears a lot), who wouldn't have this Fiona/Graham on their wishlist.

I met my stepson Patrick in Somerled Square in time for the 7.30 bus to Glasgow and about 20 minutes later we were getting off outside the Sligachan Hotel.

Marsco was there right from the start, somehow managing to look imposing right in the middle of the view as we made our way along the road and across towards the excellent statue of early mountaineers John Mackenzie and Norman Collie.

Marsco and the Mackenzie-Collie statue by Sligachan Bridge

The hill is constantly in view on the 3km walk along the Elgol footpath

Larger mountains are available

After my trip around The Storr and Hartaval (my first proper hillwalk in over a month) the previous day I was a wee bit heavy-legged, but the well-maintained John Muir Trust path down Glen Sligachan helped ease a few aches and we made good progress to the 3km mark where the path alongside Allt na Measarroch breaks off to the left.

Turning off the main path to follow Allt na Measarroch

This path is described on Walkhighlands as boggy. They ain't kidding. This bit would give the worst of the Donalds (I'm looking at you Blackhope Scar) a run for its money.

The going is wet for most of the way up to the bealach - especially after the recent poor weather - boggy in a lot of places and there's plenty of loose stone on the way up too. Concentration on keeping a steady footing was as tiring as the physical effort along the 2.5km stretch and I was glad to reach the bealach where Pat (having breezed up!) was waiting.

Marsco changes shape as you head up and around

The golng is rough and wet for just over 2km

Then you get to the bealach and see Glas Bheinn Mhor, Belig and Garbh Bheinn

Tea and a snack looking out over Garbh Bheinn and Belig got me back in the mood and the climb up to the ridge on Marsco was very enjoyable, the steepness helping to get me up the hill faster than I expected. Once up to the ridge the views fairly take your breath away. Still 100m short of the summit and Bla Bheinn was boggling my mind, Beinn Dearg Mhor and Glamaig with their generous coating of scree looked uncompromising while imaginary exit routes to the sea at Loch Ainort and Camasunary caught the eye even if there was none of the "blue" promised on Walkhighlands!

The ground improves as the walk gets steeper

Loch Ainort

Heading up towards the Marsco ridge

Patrick well ahead of me as usual on the way up

Belig and Garbh Bheinn with Beinn Dearg Mhor (Broadford) peeking out.

Beinn Dearg Meadonach and (the other) Beinn Dearg Mhor

On the ridge now and folowing Pat up the last bit to the top

The classic Marsco view? Garbh Beinn and Bla Bheinn

Of course it got better as I eased my way up the last stretch to the summit, the ridge getting narrow the closer to the top it got. Some sunshine broke through to light up the Black Cuillin where Sgurr nan Gillean thrust itself out in challenging manner. I'll pass for now.

From nearer the summit. You could look at that all day, couldn't you.

Nearly at the top

Summit time

Looking towards Camasunary. Sgurr na Stri on the right

Sgurr nan Gillean

It was chilly at the top and the coat went back on, but there was no way I was leaving too soon so we hung around, drinking tea, soaking up the views from such a fantastic spot, Pat (who works in Skye) admitting that he enjoys Marsco as much as the Black Cuillin ("you can't see them if you're on them" if you see what I mean).

Reluctantly we headed back down to the steep descent. It was fine, although I was very slow by now, and the boggy path was just as tricky as on the way up and I was glad to reach the maintained path and even more happy to see a pint waiting for me at Sligachan after I clocked in just short of the Walkhighlands upper limit of six hours.

Now all we have to do is get back to that boggy path

I don't usually put selfies on here, but this is me, genuinely happy

[Sgurr]

Apart from the fact that I got a rotary cuff tear on Marsco (my own fault from showing off) it is one of the most fun hills in Skye. Thanks for bringing it back.

[zatapathique]

Nice report and beautiful photos.

I was on Skye the week before you, wanted to complete my Cuillin summits. The weather didn't permit it. Marsco was on my list, too. I had hoped that one of the days which was not ok for the Black Cuillin could be used for Marsco, but that wasn't the case. Oh well, next time.
Ever since hearing Runrig's "Nightfall on Marsco" a long time ago I wanted to climb that hill...