Meall Greigh, Meall Garbh & An Stuc
Posted: Sun Sep 05, 2010 10:53 amLeaving at 6.30, I had the intention of getting to The lawyers hotel and setting off on this walk before anyone was about. So the plan started off well though the conditions weren't great with a lot of low cloud and mist but i still had a head start as i walked up by the farm and headed out towards Meall Greigh. 
The higher I climbed the worst the mist was and I had to resort to map and compass but given the weather forecast
of clearing and the sun coming out (Ha! Ha!) ploughed on and reched the carin after 2 hours.this would be the first
time of summitting Meall Greigh!
So took another bearing and headed west to try and pick up the path on the way to Meall Garbh. Continuously taking my bearing every 15 mins due to the fact I couldn't see more than 20 yards ahead i was confident that i was headed in the same direction. Saw some walkers in the mist going to what I thought was them coming from Meall Garbh so cut across
and went in the opposite direction where I joind a path and carried on..and on ...the weather cleared for a bit and I saw
a right to left shoulder and thought that i was on the right way to meall Garbh. As I reached the summit there was a group of people already at the cairn. On getting chatting to these likeable and friendly people from Fife i quickly realised
that I had come back to Meall Greigh !!! i couldn't even figure out how I had managed it! a lesson in how to get into trouble (nearly) because my map reading is not up to scratch!
I had 'lost' one and a half hours going round in a circle! Anyway I now had people to walk on with and they were really nice people, one of whom was a ML, one a minister,one a janitor, one the church organist and the other a tutor for distance learning courses, which coincentally is my bag. What a great walk we had and especiall with An Stuc to come much needed confidence to get up the 'scrambling' bit. I hadn't realised what was in store and wow! what a buzz!
So we all marched onto Meall Garbh and made good time to the cairn.
From there we could see An Stuc and we made the top in 36 minutes from Meall Garbh.
This was the first time of doing scrambling and the buzz was great. as there was a 73 year old gentleman who had just gone up in front of us with no bother so no room for excuses. The 2 ladies in our party also showed that this was no problem and once at the top it was brilliant!
From there it was down the Bealach to Lochan nan Cat and we stopped on the side of the loch before making our way back to the lawyers for a beer.
This was a big learning curve for myself but also a great walk with lovely people and some great sights of the hills (sometimes!) it has to be the 'best' yet but I know I know I have lots to come. it also mean't that because I had done 1 and a have hours more walking than the others I desrved another pint!
- heading towards Sron Mhor
The higher I climbed the worst the mist was and I had to resort to map and compass but given the weather forecast
of clearing and the sun coming out (Ha! Ha!) ploughed on and reched the carin after 2 hours.this would be the first
time of summitting Meall Greigh!
- at Meall Greigh (first time!)
So took another bearing and headed west to try and pick up the path on the way to Meall Garbh. Continuously taking my bearing every 15 mins due to the fact I couldn't see more than 20 yards ahead i was confident that i was headed in the same direction. Saw some walkers in the mist going to what I thought was them coming from Meall Garbh so cut across
and went in the opposite direction where I joind a path and carried on..and on ...the weather cleared for a bit and I saw
a right to left shoulder and thought that i was on the right way to meall Garbh. As I reached the summit there was a group of people already at the cairn. On getting chatting to these likeable and friendly people from Fife i quickly realised
that I had come back to Meall Greigh !!! i couldn't even figure out how I had managed it! a lesson in how to get into trouble (nearly) because my map reading is not up to scratch!
- at Meall Greigh (second time!)
I had 'lost' one and a half hours going round in a circle! Anyway I now had people to walk on with and they were really nice people, one of whom was a ML, one a minister,one a janitor, one the church organist and the other a tutor for distance learning courses, which coincentally is my bag. What a great walk we had and especiall with An Stuc to come much needed confidence to get up the 'scrambling' bit. I hadn't realised what was in store and wow! what a buzz!
So we all marched onto Meall Garbh and made good time to the cairn.
- Onto Meall Garbh
- Approaching Meall Garbh
From there we could see An Stuc and we made the top in 36 minutes from Meall Garbh.
- An Stuc from Meall Garbh
This was the first time of doing scrambling and the buzz was great. as there was a 73 year old gentleman who had just gone up in front of us with no bother so no room for excuses. The 2 ladies in our party also showed that this was no problem and once at the top it was brilliant!
- ladies leading the way
- Bod, Lyn & myself at the top of An Stuc
From there it was down the Bealach to Lochan nan Cat and we stopped on the side of the loch before making our way back to the lawyers for a beer.
- Lochan nan Cat
This was a big learning curve for myself but also a great walk with lovely people and some great sights of the hills (sometimes!) it has to be the 'best' yet but I know I know I have lots to come. it also mean't that because I had done 1 and a have hours more walking than the others I desrved another pint!
Have to invest in a GPS backup.