I got the tent pitched by the Quoich Water and just had time to bumble up Carn na Drochaide before the rain started and darkness fell.
The meal cooked (Tortellini with a Lloyd Grossman sauce a la Trangia) I retreated to the sleeping bag. Warm and dry with the relaxing sound of the river - everything conspired to ensure a great nights sleep
Then it was up early to drop the car at the Linn of Dee and cycle back along to the Quoich. The plan was to head over Creag Bhalg and Sgor Mor then return to the car via White Bridge.First stop was the Punch Bowl - just above the Linn of Quoich. A favourite spot with a cracking view from the bridge.
I followed a path of sorts on the North side of the deer fence heading up Creag Bhalg and kept by the fence until coming out of the woods at 108908. There is a stile across the fence here if needed but I was already on the right side so it was on up the ridge with pleasant views down into Glen Quoich and the first rainbow of the day. I always reckon that if you can see a rainbow it must be a nice day - there must be sunshine around somewhere close
The flat summit ridge is about 1km long with the highest point at the west end marked by two well constructed cairns.
I spent a while enjoying the view and, encouragingly, the clouds were lifting off Sgor Mor.
Eventually I set off down to meet the rather damp track leading to the bridge over the Lui water. On the way I spotted a strange example of regeneration. A seed had obviously lodged high up in the hollowed trunk of a dead tree.
Whilst crossing the bridge I saw the only other folks I came across all day then headed up through deep heather past Creag an Diuchd to the ridge falling South East from Sgor Dubh. The views into Glen Derry were the highlight of this part of the walk.
The ridge gave easy walking and it was a pleasant stroll up to the trig point on Sgor Dubh. When I first arrived fragments of the view to the North kept appearing through the cloud but eventually I got the best clearance I had all day and most of the big peaks were visible together.
It's a pleasant 3 km from Sgor Dubh to Sgor Mor. The walking is easy with fine views. To the South Beinn a Ghlo looked moody to say the least.
The summit has three tops to choose from - I wasn't convinced that the one with the shelter on is the highest
One of the other options is an outcrop with some 'rock sculpture' on it.
The weather had closed in a bit but the view into the Lairig Ghru improved as I descended South towards the Dee.
Once on the track it was a couple of km down to the Chest of Dee - always a pleasant spot to have a break before the final trundle back along the landrover track to Linn of Dee.
The rains returned again overnight and the Quoich rose. I had to be back home by mid-afternoon the next day but managed a damp and (unsurprisingly) solitary ascent of Morrone before leaving.
