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Grahams: Beinn Ghobhlach.
Date: 02/07/2018.
Distance: 8.5 km.
Ascent: 760 m.
Time: 5 hours, 45 minutes.
Weather: Warm, slight breeze and clear.
Another day out on the hills with my parents beckoned, but where to? We were originally heading for Cul Mor, but mid-journey, I suggested Beinn Ghobhlach instead, as there were more options for mum if she didn't fancy coming all the way up. The temperature was down a little compared to Sunday, and there was a little more breeze as well, making for more pleasant walking conditions.
We all began walking together from Badrallach shortly after 2pm. The path out to Scoraig is very good and fairly level too. After rounding a corner, it was time to head up steeply towards Loch na h-Uidhe. This took a bit longer than expected as it was really steep!
Looking back on the path to Scoraig
Mum on the Scoraig path
Little Loch Broom
Mouth of Little Loch Broom There was the faintest sign of a path up to the loch, but as the ground was really dry and a wildfire in recent years had reduced the vegetation, the underfoot conditions were good. On a sandstone slab overlooking the loch, we had a break, with clear views out to Lewis and Harris. At this point mum decided she would drop back to the coastal path and continue to Scoraig rather than going up Beinn Ghobhlach.
Beinn Ghobhlach from Loch na h-Uidhe
An Teallach and Sail Mhor Dad and I crossed the normally wet area to the north of the loch and hit the west ridge. This was really steep, but there was plenty of interest in picking easy scrambling lines through the bands of rock. It didn't take too long to reach the summit.
Up the west ridge
Scoraig peninsula
Dad finding an optional scrambly bit
Sail Mhor and Loch na h-Uidhe
Out to sea We had another break on top, from where there were impressive views to Assynt, Ullapool and Fisherfield, not to mention a great seascape. I suggested we go on to the next bump in the ridge as it had better views of Beinn Mhor Coigach.
An Teallach from Beinn Ghobhlach
South to the back of Torridon Then it was down grassy slopes to Lochan a' Bhealaich. This was easy at first, becoming steeper and more heathery lower down.
Across Cnoc Bhaid-rallaich to the Fannaichs
Beinn Mhor Coigach from Beinn Ghobhlach
Beinn Mhor Coigach
Summer Isles
Rubha Mor and the Minch
Ullapool
Ben More Assynt and Loch Kanaird
Loch a’ Bhealaich and Cnoc Bhaid-rallaich A quick stroll across the beach led us to another scrambly section onto the ridge west of Cnoc Bhaid-rallaich. Dad wasn't too bothered about this summit and I had been over it a couple of times before, so we skirted it to the west.
Beach on Loch a’ Bhealaich
Across the Rubha Mhor to Harris
From the western shoulder of Cnoc Bhaid-rallaich
Out to North Harris
Across Little Loch Broom The slopes leading back to the road-end are a little on the rough side. Dad wasn't overly impressed with them but managed to stay on his feet. I left him to it.
Little Loch Broom and An Teallach
Little Loch Broom
Ardessie
Strath Beag This hill always provides great entertainment for its low height, not to mention good views.