Today was the penultimate day of a trek north from Killilan to Ullapool for me and a bunch of my school mates and, after spending two nights camped at Carnmore (and climbing A' Mhaighdean and Ruadh Stac Mor), we'd arrived to camp at Shenavall after a reasonably challenging crossing of the Abhainn Strath na Sealga on the previous afternoon. Today, despite a worsening in the weather, we were aiming to do the four Munros to the south. It had rained all night so re-crossing the burn (albeit a mile and a half upstream) involved some knee-deep wading but, after that, the day was an enjoyable battle against thick mist, driving rain and gusting winds as we traversed Beinn a' Chlaidheimh (now deemed to be no longer a Munro), Sgurr Ban, Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair and Beinn Tarsuinn before heading back down Gleann na Muice in persistent drizzle to cross the river again, now rather higher. The only compensation was that those who had elected to stay in the bothy had a hot meal and a roaring fire ready for us when we came through the door.
There remained only the final day of the trip - a walk out to catch a 3.30.pm. ferry across Loch Broom to Ullapool - and I finished it footsore in hot sunshine with holes in the toes of both my boots. It had, nevertheless, been a brilliant first trip to the Highlands for me - ten days' walking, nine Munros and an enthusiasm that I knew would last a lifetime.
- A grainy photo of my first Munro - Sgorr Ruadh - taken early in the trip (18.07.1975)
- Another view of Sgorr Ruadh but higher up the track from Achnashellach (18.07.1975)
