Stob Dubh - Gleann Èite

[Collaciotach]

The Ulster Cycle stories are set in the time of King Conchobar Mac Nessa, who rules the Ulaid from Emain Macha . The most prominent hero of the cycle is Conchobar's nephew, Cú Chulainn but Deirdre who was the daughter of Fedlimiad mac Daill is the foremost female figure in these tales.

Before she was born, Cathbad Seannachie to Conchobar mac Nessa, king of Ulster, prophesied that Fedlimid's daughter would grow up to be very beautiful, but that kings and lords would go to war over her, much blood would be shed because of her.

Deirdre is associated with Glen Etive which today is a controversial spot with a well documented problem of "weekend campers" and the mess they leave behind. I have nó time for that at all however neither do i have time for the system that allows the wealthy to claim "ownership " of this glen. The déad hand of the carperbaggers can be seen in crumbling buildings , ruined grazings and an air of general dereliction which permuates all but the "big house" in this part of the Gàidhealtachd.

Anyway Stob Dubh is our intent today and a fine day it was .....

Stob Dubh

We did avoid the house ..... with nó residents to be seen , you have to laugh at this sign and feel pity for the rundown property when there are homeless folk who that places like this could perhaps offer some shelter.

Sguadal

The day was the warmest of this year so far and it was down to the t shirt ón the slog up to An Grianan

An Ghlìnne

Abair sealladh !

An Grianan

We spent a wee while ón this top before setting of up through the crags to take the long route over lumps and bumps which had large amounts of soft snow in places , nó need for irons though ....

An Cù

'S e coisich fada a th' ann gu dearbh ....a long way to this top but great views all round

She is a complex issue of Glàc ,Leac and Tòrran this Beinn Ceitlin and you have to work to reach the prize of Stob Dubh. We reached the summit and spent about an hour sunbathing in a nice wee hollow and eating while enjoying the surroundings

Am Mullach

Loch Èite

A grand wee hill ón a beautiful day which is a decent slog and nó sign of Dierdre .

Legend has it she fled with Naoise to Gleann Èite to hide from Conchobar , we never saw her today but the old tales make themselves felt in the place names of this bonnie Glen and her high hills .

[basscadet]

Gorgeous conditions you got there..
I hate the diversion round the house, and have ashamedly gone through a couple of times , especially when tired after a long day
I think if you make a diversion, you could at least find a few planks or stones to help with the bog

[Beaner001]

Perfect weather of late, grand day oot that

[kevsbald]

Whoaf! Stunning.

[rockhopper]

Great day for it - I take it the bridge is open again ? was locked shut on my last visit - cheers

[Collaciotach]

Great day for it - I take it the bridge is open again ? was locked shut on my last visit - cheers

I hear they have been told it is against the SOAC to lock and ón this visit very múch open

[Graeme D]

Nice stuff. Always liked the look of this hill.

[malky_c]

I didn't realise how good these lower hills in Glen Etive were until more recently. A fine walk