free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
I love Skye... There's a certain magic to it that you just can't explain... And so it feels awesome to be back again, and not just just on the Island but back at The Skye Boat Lodge in Carbost... Me thinks the finest accommodation on the Island...
![Skye 001.JPG]()
- Back @ The Skye Boat Lodge
First up there’s Alexandra’s (Sexy Lexy) Birthday to celebrate… A good way to kick festivities off before a return to the hills on Tuesday…
Tuesday doesn’t look good, we wake up to torrential rain… But after an hours delay we get a call from Graham (
www.skyehi.co.uk) and we’re good to go… Graham and Annie are fantastic people, and we now consider them firm friends as well as our fantastic guides. If you need a guide for Skye, then I promise you won’t do better
Back in May, we had to turn back from Sgurr nan Gillean due to some late season snow, but this time we’re luckier with the weather and ascend via the western ridge. There’s a wee spot of climbing but nothing too difficult, and as ever, Graham’s on hand showing you the holds…
![Skye 002.JPG]()
- The Return to Sgurr nan Gillean
Before long we’re on the airy perch of Sgurr nan Gillean; there’s just about enough space for us to cut some shapes…
![Skye 003.JPG]()
- Summit Fun...
![Skye 004.JPG]()
- Danny on Sgurr nan Gillean
![Skye 005.JPG]()
- The Two Sisters...
![Skye 006.JPG]()
- The summit of Sgurr nan Gillean
And then it’s off to Am Bastier and then Bruach na Frithe to complete the North end of the ridge… And that just leaves Sgurr Mhic Choinnich to complete the Skye Munros…
![Skye 007.JPG]()
- Having fun Skye Hi Style...
![Skye 008.JPG]()
- Vicky on the descent with the Northern Cuillin as the backdrop
Wednesday, and Sgurr Mhic Choinnich then, along with the Inaccessible Pinnacle as we’ve some newcomers in the group, plus I’ve got some plans… The boys are carrying some champagne up the hill, and all being well we’re in for a day of celebrations…
Sgurr Mhic Choinnich is fun; a good scramble but nothing too technical, though you could easily get yourself into problems here without your trusty guide, yep our Graham is with us again…
![Skye 009.JPG]()
- Looking toward the In Pin from Sgur Mhic Choinnich
So that’s the Skye Munros done then and off to the In Pin. We’re there in no time, and on our way up. Bless Alexandra, she has a little whimper at the crux but she’s safely up; there can’t be too many people who’s only Munros include The Forcan Ridge, The Sgurr nan Gillean 3, and now Sgurr Mhich Choinnich and the In Pin…
So we’re at the summit of the In Pin; I’ve been planning to pop the question to Vicky here for a while now, and the plans for the day are set… Although they nearly get scuppered by me falling off…!! I’ve asked Vicky to marry me several times now; although all of those times in jest… Until now… So of course she thinks I’m joking again… But after much laughter and a few minutes of negotiations I’m engaged to the most gorgeous person I’ve ever met…
![Skye 010.JPG]()
- Getting Engaged on the In Pin...
It’s been three years since we first met, when I first fell in love with her (legs) as she caught my attention in a restaurant… One bet with the lads later, and it’s fair to say we hit it off from the very beginning… I won’t witter on; but a few words to describe Vicky are Beautiful; A Wonderful Mother; A Whole Lot of Fun; Kind Hearted; and errr Sexy…
So that’s that bit done; the boys have carried a load of champagne up… So best drink it then…
And then there was The Three Chimneys for dinner… Sensational Food… I’ll let the pictures do the talking…
![Skye 011.JPG]()
- The Three Chimney's Seven Courses of Skye...
![Skye 012.JPG]()
- The Prawns...
![Skye 013.JPG]()
- The Smoked Fish; and what an Egg Yolk!!
![Skye 014.JPG]()
- The Oysters...
![Skye 016.JPG]()
- The Scallop...
![Skye 017.JPG]()
- The Venison...
![Skye 018.JPG]()
- Me with my Fiancee @ The Three Chimneys...
Oh and then we thought some fireworks would be a good idea… Thanks to Craig (my best man) especially for all his help today, but also the other troops for their various contributions… What a magic day
Thursday and Friday saw me off to bag Moruisg and Maol Chean-Dearg; both short walks but good to get them done while up in the area…
Sadly Saturday came along and that was it for the lodge, but I wasnae done walking…
![Skye 020.JPG]()
- Arriving @ Strathcarron to beautiful light...
One last big hoof for the year sees me pop out to Lurg Mhor and friends; as it turns out in the rain and clag for most of the day hence no photos… It’s a good hoof out to Lurg Mhor; the least climbed Munro on Walk Highlands and it’s easy to see why; you’ll need to pop over a wee Corbett first and then a near vertical Bidein a’Choire Sheasgaich (though it’s nowhere near as bad as it looks). Then back via the same route and I decide to pop up Sgur Choinnich and Sgurr a’Chaorachain aswell for good measure… It’s a big hill day @ 37 km over rough terrain with 2,900 metres of ascent and sadly there wasn’t quite time to pop up Maoile Lunndaidh before nightfall, and I can’t be arsed with walking in the dark… Be easy enough to add it on from here with more light; one for May… Anyway here’s my route for anyone that wants it…
![2012 - 10 - 08 - Lurg Mhor.jpg]()
- The Stats...
And then after the big day that went before I popped up Slioch just to relax the legs really… Can’t say I enjoyed it much save for the view at the top which is just to die for; the hill itself is a bit of a slog though…
![Skye 022.JPG]()
- The view toward the wilderness of the Fisherfield Forest from the summit of Slioch with An Teallach bathed in sunshine...
Just a thought, did you know the circle was invented on Slioch?
![Skye 023.JPG]()
- Circle on Slioch...
And that’s 25 Munros left to go… And a wedding to plan… I’m thinking Eilean Donan Castle…
