"I'm off to Assynt for a few days...."

[Jaxter]

Part one - Hogmanay Fisherfields

Friday 4th January 2019
Our plan had been to drive up to Lochinver for pie before walking into Suileag but after a wee weather check I suggested it might be a nice evening for a camp. Initially sceptical, Coal Minion then realised he wouldn’t have to carry coal anywhere for another night

We enjoyed the wonderful pies of the Lochinver Larder…


…before heading for one of my favourite camp spots above Achmelvich




Blowing Minion blowing my mat up again


We had a wee wander down to the beach


Disaster waiting to happen...




It wasn’t super sunny but very atmospheric






We got our sleeping bags and sat out on the picnic mat as it got dark. Tucked up warm it was amazing to sit out at this time of year as it got dark. Eventually we got hungry and Dinner Minion got his act together


Toasty cinnamon bun


We eventually retreated to the tent where it was lovely and toasty and had a really relaxing nights sleep

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Saturday 5th January 2019
18.95km
603m ascent
5 hours 45 mins

Once I’d finally managed to talk myself to sleep (apparently including some rather dramatic subject changes and chat about gritting roads as I drifted off… ) we got a good sleep. It was calm outside, unseasonably warm and we could hear the waves breaking gently on the rocks below. Bliss

Achmelvich in the morning


As the pie shop would be closed the next day (always closed on Sundays ) we popped in and stocked up on pies to take home. Otherwise what was the point of driving all the way to Assynt

We picked up milk – a wee luxury that the Milk Minion was to carry in – and drove along to the parking area before Glencanisp Lodge. It wasn’t cold but it was a bit overcast outside and we weren’t that keen to get going initially….but all was good once we started moving

Both Canisp and Suilven with a bit of fluff on the top – would it clear?


I had been to Suileag bothy before and Malcy and I had been here almost 6 months to the day when we camped on Suilven in July so the path was familiar; squishy in places and plenty of ups and downs (including The Big Up shortly before the bothy ) but gaining height had the advantage of some spectacular views


Coal Minion trying to assert his masculinity - “Might as well carry it all in”


It was an easy and enjoyable walk in; again I was just so thrilled to be out doing something


We reached the turn off to the bothy and had to dodge the puddles on the track – always potential for disaster


We got ourselves settled in and brewed some tea before going for a wander – Suilven was now clear and looked very inviting


We continued down the glen – Canisp was looking impressive and clear


Suilven from Lochan Buidhe


We reached the bottom of the Suilven path – Malcy was keen to head up to the lochans so I continued along the path towards Loch na Gainimh. There was a bonnie waterfall


I climbed a wee hillock and got a view down the lochan – just lovely


Canisp


I went for a wee wander along the shoreline and found some wee beaches and potential camp spots for another time


Looking up at Suilven


I scrambled back along this cool wee cutting without getting wet feet!


After messing around with the camera for a while I started heading back; I assumed Malcy was behind me so left him a mark in the dirt

Looking back to Canisp


Looking across to Suilven I saw a tiny figure on top – Malcy had done a thing




Back at Suileag I was hours ahead of Malcy so decided to have a wee wander up the hill behind the bothy to see if I could get some views too. Five minutes later…boom!


Looking back to Suilven


I was so chuffed to get some views – and there was even some mobile signal to Instagram about it Always useful to know in case of an emergency though

When I started getting cold I headed back to the bothy, filled up the water bottles and lit some candles. I was just getting settled into my book when Malcy arrived back, much earlier than I expected. “You did a thing” I said. “I did a thing” said Malcy

The Coal Minion had carried in so much coal that we could get the fire on straight away which warmed the place up nicely


We passed a lovely evening – the last of the holiday - before finally hitting the hay. For once I fell asleep quickly and Malcy didn’t have to endure me babbling on

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Sunday 6th January

I had worked out the sunrise trajectory and we reckoned it would be worth getting up in the morning – my wee hill from the night before would be a perfect spot. We packed most of our things up before heading up the hill in time for the show….


It was even warmer than the night before and we were able to stand around enjoying the pre-dawn light


Quinag


The sun begins its ascent








The sky started turning cool colours and the sun began to hit Quinag




Malcy’s weird face


The sun was almost up….






Jaxter time






The sun was up and we headed back down towards the bothy to pick up our things and get going….


We met some very tame stags (not half as tame as the one that was watching me pee in the dark the night before – nearly gave me a heart attack when I shone my head torch at its eyes )




The reflections on the lochs were absolutely stunning






We were back at the car and headed around the long and winding road past Inverkirkaig. One advantage of driving this road in January is that there’s virtually no traffic and we could stop for photos




Beinn an Eoin and Sgurr an Fhidhleir


Malcy got a bit distracted on the way – he does love his sheepy flock




Meall an Fheadain
4.86km
217m ascent
1 hour 50 mins

Once Malcy had finished attending to his sheepy friends we made for Altandhu, parking up near the start of the track up Meall an Fheadain – I was going up a hill

It was an easy walk up the track and we were taking it easy which was a perfect excuse for plenty of photos

Loch Camas an Fheidh


Looking back towards Altandhu


Soon we had gained enough height to see this….


The track led all the way to the radio mast


Just before the mast a wee path led off up the final ascent to Meall an Fhudain


Quinag with Foinaven and Arkle visible behind


The views across to the Assynt hills were unbelievable


Out towards the Summer Isles


Altandhu


We reckoned the best views would probably be the other end of the ridge so we left the trig point behind….


I found a rock to stand on


Quinag, Foinaven and Arkle


We realised that we actually needed to wander further to Meall a’ Chaisteil for the best views….Malcy found a big rock to climb




And boom – the Summer Isles. Some views


We sat and enjoyed the view for a while because we didn’t want to leave


A wee tame Robin came to say hello. I didn’t need David Main to identify this one for me


Suilven


The sun hitting Stac Pollaidh


Achilitibuie and Ben More Coigach




Last one….


Eventually we decided to get going – although Assynt was bathed in sunshine there seemed to be cloud everywhere else and it was a long road home…




We headed off-piste across heather and rocks and bog towards the road…. Malcy in his element


Back on the road it was an easy walk along past some friendly locals back to Colonel Mustard who was waiting patiently. We drove a few miles around to the beach near Polbain and enjoyed a last cup of tea and mince pies.






Eventually it really was time to go….


It was a long drive back to Inverness to drop Malcy off and an even longer drive back to Glasgow. But totally worth it – what a week

Meall na Fheadain.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts