So it was an early start on Sunday morning - heading out of the house at 3.00 am for the drive up to Lundie for the circuit of the three easterly hills in the area - Carn Ghluasaid, Sgurr nan Conbhairean and Sail Chaorainn. I hadn't been up this way for a while and had never walked in the hills, so as I was heading north from Fort William I was really beginning to feel the sense of anticipation for what the day ahead might be

At times the drive didn't instil a great deal of optimism, as there was plenty of cloud about in places and the odd spots of rain

After a short break where I got myself fed I was ready for the 'off' and on my way. Some nice early views, even from just above the main road.
A bit higher up and the path crossed a large slab of rock with a good view of the first target ahead of me.
Views across loch cluanie and beyond were also opening up nicely too

My assessment of the path onto and up the first of my targets - Carn Ghlasaid - would be excellent, but oh was it boggy in places





And before I know it I was at the summit. The cloud was clearing still, the sky was getting bluer, the temperature was getting warmer and the views were getting better and better


The descent off Carn Gluasaid was very gradual and easy. This was followed by a nice east ascent up onto the top of Creag a Chaorainn, where the views were fantastic - back up to Carn Gluasaid, across Loch Cluanie and up to the second target of the day - Sgurr nan Conbhairean



The walk from the saddle between Creag a Chaorainn and Sgurr nan Conbhairean was probably as steep as it got all day, but it really wasn't difficult. But hey, the sun was out




Arriving at the summit and the views were fantastic


At this point I had the place to myself



There was a bit of a drop down off the summit, which I knew I was going to have to walk back up most of the way on the route back


Views back to Sgurr nan Conbhairean.
Again it was an easy walk up onto Sail Chaorainn on a good path, albeit a bit boggy at times

And with views like that it's so easy to lose myself in my thoughts






After my stop on the summit I decided to head for the nearby top - Carn na Coire Mheadhoin. It was a quick 20 minute round trip. Not bad, but not really anything special

I enjoyed the route back over Drochaid an Tuill Easaich. As for all the route the path was excellent and provided a different perspective on the hills I have just walked. I particularly liked the view back toward Sgurr nan Conbhairean


I was ambling down the ridge. The sun was shining still and the views across glen shiel were fantastic

It wasn't until I hit the end of the ridge and had to tackle the final drop down to the road side. It was steep, wet, slippery.......and, oh yeah.........boggy







Eventually I was over the worst of the final descent and heading down to the road. The path meandered across to the Allt Coire nan Clach and a nice set of waterfalls down to the roadside
All that remained was a short walk along the road back to the car. All in all an excellent day out on three easy hills with good paths. The weather was a real bonus and helped make this a fantastic day out on the hills. If this is what Kintail has to offer then I'll be back













