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Sub 2000 Marilyns: Meall an Fheadain.
Date: 15/05/2014.
Distance: 2km
Ascent: 140
Time taken: 25 minutes.
Weather: Breezy, overcast, dry. Higher hills in cloud.
The sequel to the previous week's fun on Raasay was a meeting in Stoer. My intention was to go for a walk afterwards - maybe Cul Mor or even Suilven - but I had to get back to the office and do some work instead, prior to heading down the road for a mates stag weekend. So I decided to leave early and get a quick hill fix before the meeting.
Meall Glac Tigh-fail near Inverlael was my initial choice, but I left too late. Despite Meall an Fheadain being a bit more of a drive, I felt it would offer a good return for such a quick ascent. Driving around this area is almost as much as a pleasure as walking, especially on someone else's time

.
Most people walk up the track to the transmitter mast, but I was cutting it a little fine by the time I arrived in Polbain, so I went for the shortest route instead, starting at Loch a' Mheallain.
Loch a' Mheallain:

No real route description required - just cross the damp heathery terrain until you reach the trig point. Sadly the cloud wasn't lifting in a hurry, so I couldn't get the full benefit of the viewpoint, however looking out across the Summer Isles was well worth the effort.
Achiltibuie and Beinn Mhor Coigach:

Across the mouth of Loch Broom:

North to Reiff:

Summer Isles from the summit:

Scoraig Peninsula:

Summer isles again:

Meall Dearg:

Then back down by a similar route. I had been away from the car for a whopping 25 minutes - the shortest hillwalk yet in a year where I haven't done nearly as much walking as I'd like.
The shortest way to Stoer from Polbain is via the winding coast road to Inverkirkaig and Lochinver. Luckily I'd driven the road before, otherwise it might have been a bit of a shock to the senses! Twistier than the Loch Arkaig road, it is luckily redeemed by having a really good surface at the moment, not to mention great views.
After my meeting, I stopped off at Achmelvich for an early lunch. A favourite beach of mine.
Achmelvich beach:




Then I popped back into Lochinver again for a couple of pies before heading back to the office. It felt rather surreal to be in a pub in Leith later in the evening, then on the Costa Blanca the following morning. I know which beach I prefer though!