Horned up in Torridon - Losing My Virginity!!!

[dooterbang]

Now that I've your attention...2 minor injuries and studying meant that my days in the great outdoors these last 6 months have been ridiculously low so a planned trip up the beautiful West Coast of Scotland would provide some respite and much needed mountain air. Last year I drove down the West Coast from Assynt and promised myself that Torridon would be visited and that I would finally stride along one of the numerous ridges that link the Munros - losing my virgin tag

Joining me on this voyage of discovery to Torridon would be Kerri (from my circuit class). We recently did Striding Edge in the Lakes and the Tarmachan Ridge near Killin. She showed plenty appetite for scrambling so I had no fear about showing her the big boys of Torridon and the Horns of Alligin. The trip would also give us a chance to explore the area around Gairloch and a few stops down the coast.

We would be staying in a lovely self catering lodge ( Little Aird Hill) near Badachro Bay: http://www.visitbadachro.com/

Day 1 - Thursday 21st Feb

Left Glasgow at 7am and drove up the A9 heading for Braemar Junction to firstly visit Corrieshalloch Gorge which is situated on the Droma River 20 km South of Ullapool in the Scottish Highlands. It is 1.5 km long, 60m deep and formed at the end of the last ice age by rapid erosion caused by meltwater. Arrived at 11.30am with the sun shining, which it would do for most of the trip

An Teallach


Corrieshalloch Gorge





Very short walk to the Gorge which has the bridge and also a viewing platform. Spent an hour here and then headed down the coast with Gruinard Bay being the next destination - one of my favourite spots in Scotland.


Gruinard Bay





























If visiting this area please do venture along the beach and climb onto the little islands as the views open up and are so different from just parking in the car park and looking out to the sea. It's also worth venturing to the view point as you drive up the hill when heading down the coast. A stunning place which we had to ourselves...well apart from the seal that was swimming nearby


Rua Reidh Lighthouse stands at the entrance to Loch Ewe, at one of the most dramatic locations on the north-west coast of Scotland, with stunning views across the Minch to the Isle of Skye, the Shiant Isles and the Outer Hebrides. http://www.ruareidh.co.uk/

The road to Rua Reidh is down a narrow single track road but is fine if you take it easy. When you reach the lighthouse It's worth venturing 2k East to witness the sea stacks.

Rua Reidh


Sea Stacks



With daylight fading fast we headed for Redpoint Beach to take in the sunset but we didn't quite make it and had to stop a few miles before it...what a lovely sunset





So all that was left for our first day was to head back along the peninsula to our check out our digs.

The Lodge


Drive to Lodge


Views from the garden



Perfect lodge with stunning views.

After a shower, dinner and half a beer Kerri would crash out which was around 9pm, this would be the usual for her - she's not used to that moontin air

I would stay up to check the weather and get organized for the next days adventure.


Day 2 - Friday 22nd Feb

The weather gods, well the 4 different websites I had checked, predicted clear views and scorching sunshine - alpine conditions. Beinn Alligin is said to be the easiest of the Torridon mountains so we (I) had chosen to tackle this and sample some horny action!

Arrived at the starting point and good to go at 9.30am. Looking up at the horns did excite me but they also made me nervous

The sun never came out!! Clouds hovered over the ridges/tops and never gave any decent views however Beinn Alligin is a fantastic mountain and it was great fun to sling my legs over the three horns.

Some views on the drive to Beinn Alligin:

Boasbheinn


Slioch


Beinn Alligin




















































The horns really were good fun and I would advise anyone tackling them to keep to the crests as this provides a nice grade 1 scramble. The bypass to the right looked fine too if you didn't fancy the horns.

This was Kerri's first time wearing crampons (required on one of the descents) which I'm delighted to report went well and she's looking forward to hitting more steep ascents/descents - thanks to MT for lending us her spare crampons.

We went round at an easy pace and start to finish came in at 7hrs 45mins.


Day 3 - Saturday 23rd Feb

This would be a relaxing day starting off with a visit to Cove and checking out the remains of World War II gun emplacements and lookout posts, as well as the memorial to the North Atlantic Convoys...and more sea stacks!




Sea Stacks






Colourful Hut





The next walk is probably the finest short walk I've ever been on and took me by surprise - the Fairy Lochs.

Although small and remote, the Fairy Lochs are notable as the crash site of an American World War II bomber. On 13 June 1945, a USAAF B-24 Liberator bomber was returning home to the USA from Prestwick Airfield at the end of World War II and got lost over Wester Ross. The aircraft began to lose height, and struck the summit of Slioch. An attempted crash-landing resulted in the B-24 colliding with rocks and crashing into the Fairy Lochs, scattering wreckage over a wide area. All 15 crew and passengers on board perished in the accident. Most of the wreckage remains where it fell.

The site does make you think and ponder about life but what I didn't expect was the tremendous views over to the Torridon mountains. A sprinkling of light snow just added to the grandeur of these mountains and I couldn't take the smile of my face

Crash Site





Views to Torridon Mountians





















Once you milk the views continue the walk around the small lochs







The walk took just over 2 hours and left us enough time to visit Redpoint Beach and take in the sunset.





Day 3 - Sunday 24th Feb

Decided to take the long scenic route home and take in Bealach Na Ba, Plockton and Kintail.








Bealach Na Ba (I will be cycling up this in the spring - and combining it with the 2 Corbetts















Again make sure you venture up to the TV Transmitter to experience the wonderful views - The Cuillins on Skye looking mighty fine.


Views on route home...
Loch Carron


Plockton


Five Sisters of Kintail



Torridon, Gairloch and Poolewe are absolutely stunning areas and I hope this report will encourage others to start planning their own little adventure

Thanks to the Walkhighlands members who provided me with sound advice on walks and conditions and also a big thanks to Kerri (from circuits) who was my partner in wandering the fine lochs, beaches and mountains of Scotland.

[tamw51]

so many braw pics! Quality weather you got aswell! Was up at cove the weekend before whilst on a trip up the north west wish id known about fairy lochs looks great!

[Hill-loving lady]

You were truly blessed by the weather gods! What wonderful photographs of one of the most beautiful areas in Scotland - looked like you both had a wonderful time and it took me back to last October when I too had a few wonderful walks in the area.
Looking forward to it again in April as am sure are lots of other WH people.

[foggieclimber]

An oscar winning report Mr Cage with so many outstanding photos. Superb

[pigeon]

Brilliant stuff dooter,a wee gang of us are heading up there at weekend,first time in Torridon for most of us as well,can't wait now,your pictures are superb Hope we get a bit of that weather you were blessed with

[Stretch]

Best report I've seen in a while, Paul (Mr. Cage)!! Truly amazing, and those sunset pics are stunning!

[SusieThePensioner]

Now that I've your attention

Yes Paul, that did confuse me first of all

What a brilliant time you had and look at that fantastic weather!! Everytime we've been to Torridon the weather has been good Some beautiful, amazing photos

Bealach Na Ba (I will be cycling up this in the spring

I thought it was bad enough going up in the car but Good Luck!!

[dawnfoth]

Wow! Wow! Wow! It's nice to see the sun truly shines out of someone's arse! Looks like a fanbloodytastic few days were had - great report and stunning pics. Particularly liked the sunsets at the end and the reflections of Boabheinn

[rockhopper]

Absolutely stunning dooters - really enjoyed that ! Takes me back - spent many a family holiday up here decades ago (when it was warm enough to swim in those beaches). I see the gun emplacements at Cove haven't changed in over 30 years but the seat looks new. Barring the little cloud on the hills, you certainly picked the best weather to see this area at its finest. Good to see you back out again - cheers

[soapy27]

Awesome photos and report . Really captures the true beauty of Scotland

[soulminer]

Why did you have to post such bloody good photos for ? I ain't heading up there this year- boo, hiss Is it just to get me back for posting all my delicious Assynt pics ?
A fine collection of pics, and walks I bet the smile never left your face
Cheers.

[monty]

Great report and photos Paul.

[NevJB]

What weather! To get that combination of light, clarity and colour you were truly blessed. Great report and pictures - I am envious, turning a deep shade of green as I type!

[wilkiemurray]

Great report and awesome pictures!!

[DaveB1]

This report surely qualifies as 'Scotland Porn'! The photos are stunning, your trip looked amazing and I am totally green with envy. It made me want to jump in the car and head North, sod the job etc etc Wow!