Catch the Pigeon

[Frigate]

For those that remember, two Dastardlys and a Muttley went to Loch Quoich to catch a Pigeon, only this one is from Linlithgow and not the Yankee Doodle kind.

Picked Ian and Jake the dug up at Tiso's car park in Perth at 5 am and toddled up an empty road to Glen Garry.
Found the turn off for Kinlochhorn and immediately had severe doubts as to the validitiy of the track leading anywhere. However pressed on into light rain passing a few cars/camper vans who's occupants were still abed.
Found Pidge's car and drew up alongside, he was sat in the drivers seat foaming and salvering at the mouth; Foot and Mouth? Dengie fever? - no cleaning his teeth.

We decided to follow the WH route, Spidean 1st as opposed to the SMC route Gleouriach 1st. The start of both routes are marked by grey metal posts 1m high but they are all but lost in the Rhododendron growth, both paths are excellent.

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Height was gained quickly up to Coire Mheil fords where we were supprised how dry the ground was. Then up Coire Glas where the path traversed the hill zigzaging in a boulder field, here we disturbed a large herd of deer which showed us 'how' to climb a hill.

Loch Quoich looking to the West

Fiar Bhealach

Garbh Choich Mhor, Sgurr na Ciche, Ben Aden being shy

Stopped at the summit of Spidean Mialach for breakfast for about 15 mins and to soak in the views.

Pigeon, Ian & Jake at Spidean Mialach summit

Glengarry forest

Craig a'Mhaim, start of the South Shiel ridge

Lots of hills still to climb

Nice walk along the ridge top to descend into the bhealach with the rear of the South Glen Sheil ridge opening up before us, memories of pain and pleasure from our trip in May along the ridge.

Maol Chinn-Dearg

Back to Spidean M from the 977m spot

Ahead to Gleouraich from the 977m spot

The ascent to Creag Coire is steep but pleasurable as if follows a well made path with steps in the rocks.

Descent from Spidean M into the Fiar Bealach

Climb to Creag Coire na Fiar Bhealach

Sgurr an Lochan

Made the top of Glerourach in 4 hours where we stopped 15 mins for lunch. The silence on top of this hill was painful on my ears, no feedback, no nothing, just silence.

Gairich & Gulvain

Gleouraich top from 1006m spot

The Saddle

Back to Spidean M

Gleourich summit

The descent was again by an excellent path and were were back to the cars in a little over five and a half hours.

Route down over Druim Seileach top

The Hunting Lodge at Alltbeithe, even with an air strip must be be one of the loneliest places.

Loneliest house in the glen

Loch Quoich bridge

Spidean Mialach from the descent down Sron a'Chuilinn

Allt Coire Peitireach

Stopped at the Glengarry Hotel for a beer and entertainment, provided by a blue rinse American tourist. Who ordered a meal, ate 95% of it, then complained about the Branston pickle on the plate, refused to pay and did a runner. Barman, 2 waitresses and the duty manager(owner?) gave chase into the car park. All well in the end as the meal was paid for and a tip for the waitress who was 'very nice and polite'

[Alan S]

Good report frigate Good too see the pics you guys have taken of these hills as I didnt see much

[pigeon]

Nice pics Kev,we should have tried the American tourists method on that £100 a nip malt we seen.

[hills]

Great stuff, really enjoyed this walk, so good to see it again. Saw that airstrip, strange eh...

[basscadet]

Aye, nice report and pics.. Still haven't made it up these, but I did see the airstrip while doing the south glenshiel ridge.. Seems like a good idea to me if you had the money

[Ian Bayne]

A well detailed report Kev are you sure you were not in the provost staff back to the norm chasing the pigeon

[monty]

Great set of photos Frigate. Seems like an age since I was up these two. Great views all round thought.

[Frigate]

Good report frigate Good too see the pics you guys have taken of these hills as I didnt see much

Thanks Alan, yes great views but tempered by the number of peaks still to be conquered

Nice pics Kev,we should have tried the American tourists method on that £100 a nip malt we seen.

Would that be a 'nip in' and a 'nip out' then?

Great stuff, really enjoyed this walk, so good to see it again. Saw that airstrip, strange eh...

Aye, nice report and pics.. Still haven't made it up these, but I did see the airstrip while doing the south glenshiel ridge.. Seems like a good idea to me if you had the money

I believe it was put in for a 'royal' to exercise his right to give deer lead poisoning

Great set of photos Frigate. Seems like an age since I was up these two. Great views all round thought.

Long way to go for a day trip but as you say stunning up there. We are back for more the 1st weekend in November, Pigeon has a big list of hills for us to chose from

[pollyh33]

Great report Frigate,

Smashing photos there too- didn't have a clue about that airstrip thingy

As someone who is old enough to remember Catch the Pigeon, I would have to say I preferred Dastardly and Mutley in Wacky Races

[Frigate]

Great report Frigate,

Smashing photos there too- didn't have a clue about that airstrip thingy

As someone who is old enough to remember Catch the Pigeon, I would have to say I preferred Dastardly and Mutley in Wacky Races

Would that be Polly Pitstop then

Forgot to suggest a walk on my reply to Beinn Bhuide, the Tarmachan Ridge a mite further to drive but has a little of everything. False top/crag, open ridge walk, few up/downs between tops, a bail out in the middle and a track to walk out on. The Old Smiddy serves soup, don't know if its parsnip though.