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In 1962 I was in 6th year at school in Edinburgh. In the Easter Holidays three friends and I set off in the 1930’s Ford belonging to Graham Smith, one of the group.
- Graham's Ford
The others were Richard Henderson Brian Renwick and me, Andrew White. I had borrowed a tent from the scouts and we decided to camp on the South side of Loch Rannoch
- camping and cooking
.
While there we decided to climb Schiehallion a first Munro for all of us.
We made the ascent from West Tempar near Kinloch Rannoch. There was snow on the ground and as we set off there was some mist on the top. We thoroughly enjoyed the climb into the mist and up to the top.
- on top
However as we retraced our steps to descend it became clear that the mist had filled the entire countryside and our collective sense of direction deserted us! In the absence of any visibility or map or compass we came down the wrong side of the hill descending South instead of North. We soon came to a burn and decided to follow it knowing that it would eventually lead us to a road. After a while following the burn we came upon some shepherds who had given up trying to round up their sheep. They told us that we were south of the mountain on the Allt Mor and they directed us on the way to Braes of Foss from where we followed the road back to Tempar. We had climbed the hill and walked completely round it! Not the original plan!!
In 1966 my wife and I also went up Schiehallion from Braes of Foss. So it has always been a favourite hill of mine and one that I have always looked out for while standing on other summits.
So 50 years after that first ascent 3 of the 4 original climbers went back to repeat the climb. (Unfotunately we ere unable to contact Graham) We waited for a settled spell of weather but decided to go for it on 6th August no matter what. We were lucky with the weather having good views light winds and only one heavy shower on the way down.
We met up with two cars at the Braes of Foss car park.
- meeting up
Leaving one car there we went to our starting point at Tempar. As well as the three original climbers we had Richard’s grandson Josh, my granddaughter Kirsty (both of whom have already climbed several Munros and are about the age we were in 1962!) and Brian’s dog Honey with us.
We followed our original route up and came down the tourist path to Braes of Foss.
- Ready to go!
- Mist on the top,,,,,,,,,, again!!
- Heading up.
- Stop for sustenance
- Richard in the landscape (Kirsty's pan)
- not far now
- We all made it!!
- The three originals
- The young'uns
- Faithful companion
- well worth the soaking!
A great day out! And chuffed that we were able to do it fifty years on albeit with stiffer muscles!!