A Week in Assynt: Part One

[johnkaysleftleg]

Back in the summer we visited the wondrous North West of Scotland staying in a beautiful cottage at Strathcannaird. The weather was a little up and down and there wasn't as much hill action as I would of liked but it was still a memorable week.

After arriving I had an evening wander around the small holding and was lucky enough to glimpse the fine sight of Ben More Coigach through the clouds as the sun set behind.


Ben More Coigach makes a fleeting appearance

On Sunday the weather was due to be bright and breezy so the chance was grabbed to get up a hill. Grace unfortunately didn't join us but as she's now 17 there's not a lot you can do.
Given my wonderful wife has largely forgone hill walking in general down to her PHD we kept it short and sweet and aimed for just the first of the Quinag's magnificent peaks, Spidean Coinich.

Views were a little hazy but still as glorious as expected and it was a fine climb with the wind increasing as height was gained. By the time the superb summit was reached the wind was really quite strong and blustery. As a consequence of the conditions my plans for an alternative descent via Lochan Bealach Cornaidh were shelved given the sections of narrow ridge we would encounter so we returned from whence we came.


Wonderful Sight from the Road


Sail Gharbh and Lochan


On the way up the Slabby Ridge


Ben Stack?


Spidean Coinich comes into view


A Hazy look down to Ardvreck Castle


Glass Bhienn


Peek a boo!


Lochan Bealach Cornaidh


Loch Assynt


Suiliven across Loch Assynt


Hughie takes a breather


Hazy sunshine on the Summit


Summit Cairn


Quinag


Sail Gharbh from the Summit


Towards Ben More Assynt


Nicola and Hughie on the Summit


Looking North East


Heading Down


Hughie off for a drink


The Quatzite hills of the Far North


Sunshine on Sail Gharbh


Hughie striking a pose


Looking back up to Spidean Coinich

We would certainly love to return to the Quinag again in future and climb all three of its summits, certainly is a truly wonderful mountain.

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

On the evening I headed out along to Loch Lurgainn to see if I could grab some shots of the sunset, this was fine until the wind, which had been blowing at all levels all day. dropped without warning giving rise to the blood sucking hordes. I grabbed a few shots before retreating back to the cottage covered in bites.


Sgorr Tuath


Loch Lurgainn Sunset


Assynt Sky

On Monday the weather turned out to be way better than forecast and we enjoyed some time exploring the brilliant Achnahaird Bay. This place has such an amazing skyline which was seen at it's best with even the mighty An Tealach making a guest appearance.


Achnahaird Bay


An Teallach from Achnahaird Bay


Coigach Hills


Hughie


Classic Westie Pose


Achnahaird Bay Panorama


Stac Pollaidh

The forecast for Tuesday was all over the place so we took the chance to visit several places via a long car tour. First in line was a misty atmospheric Oldshoremore Bay, a great place to explore with some excellent rocks at the back of the bay.


Oldshoremore Bay


Oldshoremore Mono


Sandy Pup


Misty at Oldshoremore Bay

More sights were taken in on the way to Smoo cave, another place I've always wanted to see. The geological processes involved in creating this natural wonder are mind boggling, it's a great place as is the headlad with views along the Wild northern edge of mainland UK.


Geodha Smoo


Smoo Waterfall


Moody towards Faraid Head


Panorama looking East


Cloud clearing on Ben Klibreck

The drive back to the cottage was a long one with some more beautiful scenery and I was tired, ready for a bath and a few glasses of red by the time we got back. The weather had other ideas however as another weather front was coming in leaving clear skies to the West. This was one of the most vivid and intense sunsets I've ever been privileged to witness, taking photos amongst the rain and midge made life difficult but something I'd not miss for all the world.


Sunset Rainbow over Strathcanaird


Stac Polladh from Loch cul Dromanan


Raining Fire


Fire Storm


Last Light over Loch Lurgainn

[iangpark]

Marvellous photos as always, really must get up that way this coming summer

[arjh]

The sunset rainbow is fantastic. Great part of the country.

[Sunset tripper]

Great pictures. Love the rainbow. Cheers.

[IreneM]

Great photos of a wonderful part of the world

Hughie is such a poser - loved the pic of him peeking out from behind the rock

[dav2930]

An amazing part of the world. First rate photos, especially the last 5 which are remarkable.

[johnkaysleftleg]

Marvellous photos as always, really must get up that way this coming summer

Thank you Ian, it's probably my favorite part of the UK now Skye is getting overran.

The sunset rainbow is fantastic. Great part of the country.

Many thanks, I wholeheartedly agree.

Great pictures. Love the rainbow. Cheers.

Thank you kindly.

Great photos of a wonderful part of the world

Hughie is such a poser - loved the pic of him peeking out from behind the rock

Many thanks, Hughie was in great posing mood this holiday, most of the time my photos of him on walks consist of him disappearing behind a cairn or such like.

An amazing part of the world. First rate photos, especially the last 5 which are remarkable.

Many thanks Dav, I was merely recording the event, it was an astonishing sunset.

[Coop]

Fantastic- pics are great.
Knowing my luck (as with birds of prey) that rainbow would probably have gone by the time I got my phone out

[johnkaysleftleg]

Fantastic- pics are great.
Knowing my luck (as with birds of prey) that rainbow would probably have gone by the time I got my phone out

Many thanks. If it's any consolation my record of capturing birds of prey is less than perfect.

[sb526770]

Wonderful, great Pictures. I am a photographer from Germany. Congratulations.

Best regards from Cologna

Silvia