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The weather had been fantastic all last week and I was grounded at work with no hope of a day off or a fly sickie. I had managed a short hangover walk up Am Faochagach on the Saturday but the cloud moved in so there were no blue skies to contrast the skyline. By Thursday I had had enough and decided to finish at 1600 and aim for a midweek after work sortie. I set off toward Ben Wyvis and made good time then decided to turn left and continue out to the isolated munro at Achnasheen Fionn Bheinn which does not get the best reviews but surely things would be different with a view. It would be great to see the Torridon giants with sun on their backs.
I arrived at the wee car park at 1700, after some lead foot driving!! and quickly got organised. I decided to go with wearing shorts although it was a bit windy. I tossed some gear out the rucksack and packed my decent camera and tripod optimistically aiming for some shots of the sunset. I was off and moving in no time.
There is a well laid path to follow all the way up to a wee water works. The sky was clear but the wind was up and I regretted not putting on trousers as I gained height. I did not bother taking any shots on the ascent route as it is pretty straightforward and well documented. After crossing the small dam using the shiny steel wire to avoid a fall I followed the stream uphill. This would be a good navigation bearing for the descent when it got dark. The going underfoot was good and not as gloopy as experienced on the last visit. I noticed that the shadows were getting longer and that the wee hill Meal a Chaorainn was blocking the sun so it was difficult to see how low it really was.
Soon I arrived at the summit ridge and the views began to emerge. I had been tramping as I was anxious not to miss the sunset money shots. I arrived at the trig point about 1820 and settled in for the views. I set up the tripod and just snapped away. It was cold in the biting wind and I had to admit defeat and don the waterproof trousers and prism jacket. I enjoyed a wee packet of crisps, a flake and a can of coke before getting down to seeing what the sunset would bring.
I hope that the selection of photographs narrate the scene that I was fortunate enough to enjoy.
First views over to the start of the Fannichs
FionnBheinnSunset by
scottishkennyg, on Flickr
Mid section of Fannichs
FionnBheinnSunset by
scottishkennyg, on Flickr
Up to Fisherfield
FionnBheinnSunset by
scottishkennyg, on Flickr
Loch Fada and Slioch
FionnBheinnSunset by
scottishkennyg, on Flickr
SunsetfromFionnBheinn by
scottishkennyg, on Flickr
Over to Liathach and Loch Torridon
SunsetfromFionnBheinn by
scottishkennyg, on Flickr
Beinn Eighe
SunsetfromFionnBheinn by
scottishkennyg, on Flickr
Liathach and Beinn Eighe
SunsetfromFionnBheinn by
scottishkennyg, on Flickr
Down Torridon Way
SunsetfromFionnBheinn by
scottishkennyg, on Flickr
SunsetfromFionnBheinn by
scottishkennyg, on Flickr
Sun going down over Beinn Eighe
SunsetfromFionnBheinn by
scottishkennyg, on Flickr
SunsetfromFionnBheinn by
scottishkennyg, on Flickr
FionnBheinnSunset by
scottishkennyg, on Flickr
Back over to Inverness
FionnBheinnSunset by
scottishkennyg, on Flickr
Over toward Fisherfield
SunsetfromFionnBheinn by
scottishkennyg, on Flickr
Sleeping Giants of Liathach and Beinn Eighe
SunsetfromFionnBheinn by
scottishkennyg, on Flickr
Slioch with an aura
SunsetfromFionnBheinn by
scottishkennyg, on Flickr
Start of descent back over to Liathach
SunsetfromFionnBheinn by
scottishkennyg, on Flickr
Clouds creeping up from Lochcarron side
SunsetfromFionnBheinn by
scottishkennyg, on Flickr
Another stop to have a look back over Torridon
SunsetfromFionnBheinn by
scottishkennyg, on Flickr
More clouds muffling the contours of the local hills
SunsetfromFionnBheinn by
scottishkennyg, on Flickr
The big giants aslumber
SunsetfromFionnBheinn by
scottishkennyg, on Flickr
Clouds getting nearer
SunsetfromFionnBheinn by
scottishkennyg, on Flickr
Over to Beinn Eighe again..
SunsetfromFionnBheinn by
scottishkennyg, on Flickr
The last snap before the lights went down on a great outing.
SunsetfromFionnBheinn by
scottishkennyg, on Flickr
I headed off at a rapid pace and descended easy slopes to reach the wee water works before it became pitch black. The lights from the roundabout at Achnasheen provided an excellent aid and the sound terrain made it an easy descent to the car at 2015 to end a memorable sunset experience.
Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy the views in the photgraphs.