Dun Caan Camp

[trekpete]

Date: 22/7/17
Hills: Dun Caan
Present: Myself
Weather: Warm and sunny
Distance: Sat 6.23mls. Sun 4.34mls
Ascent: Sat 1557ft approx. Sun 120ft
Time: Sat 6hrs 55mins Sun 2hrs 45mins

Something went wrong with the weather. It was going to be very nice on the Saturday and most of Sunday in the West!!!! A few options were considered but I settled on Dun Caan on Raasay as it has been on the plans for years. I left Irvine just after 6am and was on the ferry for 10.30am.

Ferry arriving at Sconser.



View of Glamaig as the ferry headed for Raasay.



The distinctive flat top of Dun Caan in the distance.



Arriving at the ferry terminal on Raasay.



An early bit of loafing to watch the ferry depart.



Raasay House.



I headed for Raasay House hoping to get a cooked breakfast in the café. No luck, just sandwiches on offer so I never bothered. Went to the village shop and got some goodies in there.


View back to the terminal.



Heading down to the village.



I had plenty of time so I was doing a full circular walk taking in the old mine workings at Suisnish.

Heading down the road towards Suisnish.



View across to Skye.



East Suisnish Pier.






Signpost for Dun Caan.



This was a fine spot for loafing about in the warm sunshine. Had a wander round the old buildings and had a flight with the drone before heading up the old railway track.
















A bit of T-cut and some air in the tyres and it will be fine.















After about an hour’s loafing it was time to head on.

Following the line of the old railway.



Back towards Skye.









Old railway viaduct.



A bone dry stream bed in the West of Scotland!!!



Another signpost.



Arrived at the railhead of the mine workings about 2pm.



About an hours’ worth of loafing here talking with the owners of the camper van. It was roasting hot and they said their van temp gauge had shown 25c earlier on.

Onto the “Burma Road” now.



Like their signposts over here.



Up into the forest for a short distance before gaining the open moor. A few boggy patches and the path was indistinct in a couple of places.







The summit of Dun Caan eventually came into view.









Loch na Mna.



A few walkers on their way down.



Arrived on the summit at 18.20pm just behind another couple of walkers. Spoke with them for a few minutes before adopting full loafing mode. It was a glorious evening with warm sunshine and little wind away from the cliff edge. Midges were soon an issue and I was glad I had some Smidge with me. Spent a while just lying against a rock before getting some photos and setting up camp. The other walkers had only spent a wee while on the summit so I had the place to myself.

Summit Trig.



Looking South.






A wee boat leaving Portree.



The Skye Bridge.



Looking North.



Looking s/e.



Couldn’t ask for a better spot to pitch up.






Better get in the shot I thought.



Sent the drone up for a flight.



Time for sunset.
























Retired to the tent around 10.30pm. It was a calm and warm night so the sleeping bag was left wide to the world. No tripod with me so no astro photos tonight. Alarm set for 4.30am to get the sunrise.

























Sent the Drone up for another flight.









Ben Tianavaig.






The Storr.












Packed up and headed down around 7.30am.

Never saw any Mothers-in-laws.












Spot the locals.






Final signpost.



A bit of road walking. Never saw a car at all.






Through a gate onto an unsurfaced road at the end of this straight.



Then through this kissing gate.



And you get this fine view.



Passed this Pictish stone.



Missed the 10am ferry but no big deal. It was a fine morning for loafing.



Into Raasay House for some refreshments.



Mermaid watching over the pier.



The ferry returned and I went to walk on. Promptly informed next sailing was not until 12.00pm. Seems I had misread the timetable. Time for more loafing on the grass I guess. The two folks from the campervan from yesterday pulled into to see if I was there, so spent the time talking with them until it was time to go.




Heading back to Skye.



Video from the Drone -

By the time I was driving up Glen Shiel the rain was on and it had looked fairly cloudy in that direction on Saturday as well. Think I picked the perfect place to be this w/e and I will definitely be back for another camp here. Goes to top place since I started this camping game.

[Phil the Hill]

Excellent hill this. I was up it earlier this year and saw a White Tailed Eagle from the summit, Red Admirals and Painted Ladies at the summit and a Koala Bear in a Eucalyptus tree on the way down! The Koala was the cuddly version and just off your route I think by the road near the old viaduct. Good choice for a summit camp.

[Mal Grey]

What a place for a summit camp. Superb images, and lovely video too.

[weaselmaster]

Good photos and a fine place to spend the night. Cheers

[Graeme D]

The second fine report I have read on Dun Caan in a couple of weeks, but this is a very fine fine report indeed!