After reading reports of seemingly endless great weather on Skye in the weeks leading up to our visit it was a relief that the good conditions were set to hold for at least the first half of the holiday. We left a dismal drizzly County Durham behind and made our way north towards the dazzlingly sunny West Highlands.
Not wanting to take any chances, we took advantage of the fine forecast drove the short distance to Sligachan to have a crack at Bruach na Frithe on our first day. In stark contrast to our other two Cuillin conquests Bruach has quite a long walk in but given it also affords a gentle ascent for most of the way this can only be a good thing. One thing just about all the paths to the Cuillin have in common is the absolutely beautiful streams that accompany you for the first half of your walk in. If you’re intimidated by the thought of climbing a Cuillin you’ll still have a phenomenal day out by going as high as you’re comfortable with mainly due to the outstanding scenery of the foothills. This wasn’t a day for turning back however with conditions fantastic, plenty of blue sky and a light North Easterly wind keeping us cool. It must have been dry for weeks on Skye as I’ve never seen the Island so parched in a decade of visiting the Misty Isle.
- The Cuillin behind Alltdearg House
- A dry Allt Dearg Mor
- Sgurr na Gillean and Sgurr a' Bhastier
- Grace and Hughie take five
- That's not the top Hughie!
Progress was steady but slightly hampered by a grumpy Grace who was suffering from a sore toe. Eventually we made it to the upper corrie where the ground gets distinctly rougher. Still a clear path leads up the scree to what, today at least, is a little bit of heaven. The view of Bla Bheinn across Lota corrie hits you as you reach the Bealach and quite simply takes you breath away. Graces grumpiness was totally blown away in this astonishing location as all her woes were forgotten. Following a brief rest and a little scramble up a convenient lump to get a better view of Am Bastier and its tooth, we set off to Bruach. This wasn’t as straight forward as it should have been because we got tempted up to the crest of the ridge on several occasions for a bit of simple but enjoyable scrambling. We reached the summit soon enough however to be granted the best view we’ve ever encountered by a country mile.
- Hughie surveys the way ahead
- Bruach na Frithe
- Bla Bhienn across Lota Corrie
- Looking back to Am Bastier
- Sgurr nan Gillean
- Sgurr nan Gillean from Bruach na Frithe
- Happy family!
It’s perhaps the savagery of the ridge from close up that affects you most. The volcanic origins of the landscape are all too obvious as you stare in astonishment at the tortured terrain as it winds its way Southwards. Moments in a place like this are never long enough and after drinking in the views for as long as we could we set off for the long but satisfied walk back to the car. Our other little one, Hughie the westie, decided his paws had had enough several times on the way down and had a few carries but overall enjoyed his day. Although quite why he decided to indulge in a dust bath on the way down is anybodies guess.
- Looking down Corrie na Creiche
- Allt Dearg Mor
- Marsco and Bla Bheinn
It had been an unforgettable day, the best we’ve ever had in the hills and if you get the weather I couldn’t recommend it highly enough.
- Sunset over Broadford Bay
