walkhighlands

Share your personal walking route experiences in Scotland, and comment on other peoples' reports.
Warning Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. Summer routes may not be viable or appropriate in winter. See winter information on our skills and safety pages for more information.

Tropical Scotland - A North West 7 Day Bender!!

Tropical Scotland - A North West 7 Day Bender!!


Postby dooterbang » Mon Jun 20, 2016 12:51 pm

Route description: Liathach, Glen Torridon

Munros included on this walk: Am Faochagach, Beinn Dearg (Ullapool), Ben Wyvis, Cona' Mheall, Eididh nan Clach Geala, Fionn Bheinn, Meall nan Ceapraichean, Mullach an Rathain (Liathach), Spidean a' Choire Lèith (Liathach)

Fionas included on this walk: Stac Pollaidh

Date walked: 23/05/2016

Time taken: 50 hours

Distance: 140 km

Ascent: 6000m

8 people think this report is great.
Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).

It was that time of year, Dooterbang increases in age! But with age comes adventure, destination Assynt…again :) Assynt is dramatic, beautiful, scenic, and breathtakingly spectacular. It boasts some of the wildest, most remote, mountain and coastal scenery in Scotland.

A wonderful studio apartment, also currently up for sale - http://www.ullapoolselfcatering.com/ in Ullapool would be my base for the first 5 days, the BRAES to be precise. Two further days would be spent in the Aultguish Inn.

Day 1 – 23rd May 2016

Liathach

On Monday morning I headed for Torridon, Liathach my target :) Arriving in Torridon at 11am that morning I had no idea what wonderful adventures lay ahead. Mountains, scrambling, lochs, cycling, beaches, the sea, friendships old & new…

Beinn Eighe….nearly there :)
Image

Geared up at 11.30am I set forth on what would be the most amazing 7 days I’ve experienced up the NW.
So onwards and upwards I went, reaching the bealach in 1 hr 15 mins – instant views :)
Image

I ascended up the East top and met a nice fella from Donegal who resided in Manchester. We chatted for a while. I had to refuse his offer of doing the Cuillin Ridge the next day. We did meet again at the end of the walk, I gladly gave him a lift back to his Bongo.
Image

Image

Image

I had decided to go over the pinnacles due to reports suggesting it was safer, and if Mountain Thyme could do it then surely anyone could ;)
Image

Image

Image

Met Callum from Kinross and Bryan from Alaska shortly after starting the ridge. We would end up doing the ridge together. Top lads who love the outdoors, was great to meet you both 8)

The sun was shining, no wind, and no midge…I was loving this, what a buzz!

The pinnacles didn’t present any difficulties, but due care and attention was required. Soon the easy stroll to the second munro lay ahead. Time to admire the surrounding views.
Image

Image

The summit…and a lovely rainbow as a backdrop.
Image

Callum and Bryan
Image

Callum and Bryan sped down the steep descent! The lads did drive back to the finish once at their car and provided me with a lift to mines. Nice to see the young folk help out the older brigade ;)

Feeling elated I drove West to book into my digs, and what wonderful digs. Private sun porch and decking area with views across Loch Broom to An Teallach :)
Image

Day 2 – 24th May 2016

Beinn Dearg 4

My plan was to do the Beinn Dearg 6 so I set off and drove to Loch Glascarnoch at 07.00am hoping to catch a lift 16 mile back to Inverlael, but I was out of luck! At 7.30am I drove to Inverlael intending to do the five munros now.

On my way at 08.00am…

The long walk in, and ascent to Beinn Dearg, was covered in clag. I was surprised to meet a fellow walker on the summit of BD, a nice fella from Northampton up for a few days walking. We decided to walk the rest of the route together. Dave was great company and we had a blast, top bloke :)

Dave
Image

As we ascended to the summit of Cona Mheal the clad dispersed. The rest of the walk would provide superb visibility and views, especially towards Assynt.
Image

Image

When heading to Meall nan Ceapraichean I slipped on the flattest part of the walk and my recurring knee injury flared up, arrrgh!! This meant I would only complete the 4 munros, missing out Seana Bhraigh, but it meant I got company on the long walk out.
Image

Image

Image

The final summit provided sublime views SE and NW to Assynt, tomorrow’s destination :D
Image

Image

Image

We walked out in the blazing sun, having one last look behind us, and soon reached the car park.
Image

Image

We exchanged emails and bid farewell. Thanks to Dave for a loan of his buff. I bought one the next day, great for keeping sweat out of your eyes.

Day 3 – 25th May 2016

Stac Pollaidh

No trip up the NW would be complete without taking in the wonderful Stac Pollaidh – what a wee mountain . With no time constraints I was able to spend hours visiting all the tops and scrambling up different routes, I also got to sunbathe :)

I’ll let the photos do the talking… ;)
Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

After what seemed like hours and hours I eventually made my way down one of the steep gullies and headed back to the car park. On route I met a nice lady from California on a 3 week trip of the Highlands and Islands, she was a tad upset there was no cloud for her photos :shock:

Day 4 – 26th May 2016

Assynt Cycle

My friend, and keen cyclist, Ian was driving up from Glasgow today for a day trip. We had plotted a cycle route around the North West coast and Loch Assynt, 80 miles with over 7000ft of ascent. We parked at the junction, got on our bikes and cycled the road down by Stac Pollaidh…

Cycling around the Assynt mountains provides a glimpse of how unique these mountains really are.
Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

This was Ian’s first time up these parts, he was mightily impressed 8)
Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

We stopped in Lochinver for some food before setting on our way to take in a few beaches on route, Achmelvich, Clachtoll and Achnahaird.

Views to Suilven from the road to Achmelvich
Image

Image

Image

Image

Achmelvich Beach
Image

The weather was perfect and we were just having a blast…but just before Drumbeg my knee went again, ouch!! I took some brufen which helped slightly, however the last 30 miles was hard going. Not for Ian though, he flew back to the car!!

It was 19.30pm when we finished. What a day! Drove back to the digs and had dinner in the sun porch. Poor Ian then left at 21.00pm to drive back to Glasgow as he was up for work at 06.00am!! He did relay the next day it was torture, however he can’t wait to get back up North :)

Day 5 – 27th May 2016

Achmelvich Beach

After 4 days of adventure it was time to relax and soak up some rays on a secluded beach – destination Achmelvich! I spent over 8 hours being lazy, eating and listening to music. I only met a few people that day. A man in a kayak paddling down the coast, a man in a swimsuit (unfortunately no mermaid) swimming up the coast, and a mother and son with their dog.

The wonderful Achmelvich 8)
Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

After a leisurely day I headed to back to the Braes to pack. Tomorrow would see me booking in to The Aultguish for two days. Jaxter and Hugh would be joining me Saturday evening after they’d conquered the Fisherfield munros, also a friend from work would be there with his motorbike and buddies…but first I would be taking in Am Faochagach.

Day 6 – 28th May 2016…my 45th Birthday :D

Am Faochagach

AF has a reputation as being wet and boggy but thankfully the spell of great weather meant it was very dry. The river crossing presented no issues at all.
Image

When at the summit I sat for an hour and milked the surrounding views. A great way to spend a birthday morning/afternoon.
Image

Image

Image

Mountainthyme loves to slag the “Dooterpose” so I thought I’d have some fun mimicking a few of the walkhighlanders poses ;)
Image

Image

Image

After my super leisurely excursion up and down AF I booked into The Aultguish. Met Kevin and Joe 19.30pm, Jaxter and Hugh arriving 20.00pm like extras from a George Romero flick!! We all sat down for a scrumptious dinner, the banter was in full flow and we had a great laugh. Jaxter had made birthday brownies which went down a treat – cheers :)
Image

At dinner we had discussed Sunday’s plans. Jaxter and I decided to tackle Ben Wyvis and Fionn Bheinn whilst Hugh would do Am Faochagach. What we didn’t know at the time was that Hugo wanted to leave at 15.00pm, this meant Jaxter and I had to really push ourselves.

Day 7 – 29th May 2016

Ben Wyvis

At 07.30am we started our ascent of Wyvis…
Image

Image

Image

I really enjoyed this mountain, as did Jaxter. A fair old pull to the plateau but we got there in quick time.
Image

Image

Image

We didn’t hang around and soon headed back down and to the car park – 3.5hrs total so far.
Image

Image

Fionn Bheinn

Got in the car and drove the 25 miles round to the start of Fionn Bheinn, starting the walk at 11.30am. The forecast was for rain and thunder but we managed to reach the summit just before the heavens opened up :shock: . It was a fair slog up to the summit for us both but we loved the challenge set by Hugh ;). Looks like I found myself a potential walking partner that has the same mind-set, drive, fitness, pace, and determination as I have…cheers Hugh ;)

Onwards and upwards...
Image

Image

Image

Image

Summit
Image

Image

Was actually nice to don the waterproofs for the final descent and experiencing some “normal” Scottish weather. Got back to the car at 14.00pm, plenty of time to meet Hugh’s deadline of 15.00pm.

Met Hugh at Tarvies (I’m becoming a regular here) and had some chips and spring rolls, yummy! We said our goodbyes, I headed North back to Aultguish and Jaxter and Hugh South. Turns out Hugh was desperate to head South early to climb another mountain! He kept that one quiet, crazy munro bagger ;).

Back at The Aultguish the whole seven days finally caught up with me and I spent the evening semi-comatose!! Leaving my room to go to the bar was akin to climbing Ben Starav on stilts!!

Day 8 – 30th May 2016

Glasgow

Time now to head south for the metropolis of Glasgow, plenty of time to reflect on what was one of the best long trips ever up North. Mountains, lochs, glens, beaches, the sea, friends old and new, cycling, brilliant digs, glorious sunshine…it doesn’t get any better than this :D 8)

It wasn’t long before I headed back up North. The next weekend I would support Jaxter over the pinnacles at Liathach, do a summit camp, climb Ben More Coigach, climb Stac Pollaidh, visit a beach, and sample some fantastic Lochinver Pie.

The next two weekends would also see us cycle around Arran then tackle a monster walk around Monar which took us 17 hours!

Scotland is bloody amazing 8)
User avatar
dooterbang
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 1828
Munros:262   Corbetts:58
Fionas:18   Donalds:10
Sub 2000:10   Hewitts:18
Wainwrights:21   Islands:19
Joined: Oct 27, 2009
Location: Isle of Skye from Feb 2019 (Originally Glasgow)

Re: Tropical Scotland - A North West 7 Day Bender!!

Postby rockhopper » Mon Jun 20, 2016 1:15 pm

Not too shabby, I guess, but you could've done with slightly better weather :wink:
Not that I'm in the least bit envious......well, maybe just a little :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

But, seriously, fantastic trip taking in many of our favourite family holiday spots from the '70s - brightened up my lunch time at work ! Good to see you back to your former self, hope the knee holds up and stops causing problems.

PS you're being upstaged in the posing - think you need some more practice :wink: - cheers :)
User avatar
rockhopper
 
Posts: 7445
Munros:282   Corbetts:222
Fionas:136   Donalds:89+20
Sub 2000:16   Hewitts:2
Wainwrights:3   Islands:20
Joined: May 31, 2009
Location: Glasgow

Re: Tropical Scotland - A North West 7 Day Bender!!

Postby BlackPanther » Mon Jun 20, 2016 2:32 pm

That's not even pornography, that's... Well, it should be forbidden!! Might give people heart attack from envy :shock: :lol: :lol:

What a different summer we've had so far. This time in 2015 I was climbing in winter clothes, with crampons ready to use. This year, we have Affrica in Scotland for a change, not that I'm complaining...

I can smell a completion coming soon :D :D Do you have the last one picked already? Kevin hit his 200 last week on Sgur Eilde Mor and we started talking about our final hill, even though it's still at least 2 years away... But it's nice to dream :lol:

BTW, belayed Happy Birthday :clap:
Cheers, BP
User avatar
BlackPanther
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 3839
Munros:268   Corbetts:182
Fionas:136   
Sub 2000:75   
Joined: Nov 2, 2010
Location: Beauly, Inverness-shire

Re: Tropical Scotland - A North West 7 Day Bender!!

Postby Jaxter » Mon Jun 20, 2016 6:29 pm

What an epic - enjoyed every moment of my part in it :D :D Still dead jealous you had the whole week up there, cheeky sausage :wink: 8)
User avatar
Jaxter
Wanderer
 
Posts: 1486
Munros:217   Corbetts:139
Fionas:90   Donalds:49+13
Sub 2000:129   Hewitts:69
Wainwrights:81   Islands:35
Joined: Aug 8, 2011
Location: Glasgow/Inverness

Re: Tropical Scotland - A North West 7 Day Bender!!

Postby Alteknacker » Mon Jun 20, 2016 11:34 pm

Wonderful stuff! Not envious at all, no, not one tiny bit....
User avatar
Alteknacker
Scrambler
 
Posts: 3473
Munros:176   Corbetts:33
Fionas:1   
Hewitts:264
Wainwrights:118   
Joined: May 25, 2013
Location: Effete South (of WIgan, anyway)

Re: Tropical Scotland - A North West 7 Day Bender!!

Postby dooterbang » Tue Jun 21, 2016 9:47 am

rockhopper wrote: you're being upstaged in the posing - think you need some more practice :wink: - cheers :)
Them youngsters are more flexible...but I'll keep at it ;)


Jaxter wrote:What an epic - enjoyed every moment of my part in it :D :D Still dead jealous you had the whole week up there, cheeky sausage :wink: 8)
Vegi sausage to you young lady ;)

Yep, I struck gold that week. Thanks again for the brownies, super yummy :)

BlackPanther wrote:That's not even pornography, that's... Well, it should be forbidden!! Might give people heart attack from envy :shock: :lol: :lol: BTW, belayed Happy Birthday :clap: Cheers, BP
Oh I think your collection is way bigger than mine BP ;)

Thanks for the birthday wishes.

Oh, thinking of Mull or Knoydart for the last one, but not in any rush...prefer the good weather ;)
User avatar
dooterbang
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 1828
Munros:262   Corbetts:58
Fionas:18   Donalds:10
Sub 2000:10   Hewitts:18
Wainwrights:21   Islands:19
Joined: Oct 27, 2009
Location: Isle of Skye from Feb 2019 (Originally Glasgow)

Re: Tropical Scotland - A North West 7 Day Bender!!

Postby malky_c » Wed Jun 22, 2016 1:31 pm

Excellent report, and happy 50th*

Liathach twice in the space of a month, and some spectacular beach photography 8) . Like the look of that loop for the bike. With Gill enjoying a similar (slightly shorter) round on South Harris recently, I may be able to persuade her to do this one as well :)

*or perhaps not quite yet :wink:
User avatar
malky_c
 
Posts: 6342
Munros:282   Corbetts:222
Fionas:219   Donalds:80+37
Sub 2000:315   Hewitts:281
Wainwrights:140   Islands:39
Joined: Nov 22, 2009
Location: Glasgow/Inverness

Re: Tropical Scotland - A North West 7 Day Bender!!

Postby dooterbang » Wed Jun 22, 2016 8:14 pm

malky_c wrote:Excellent report, and happy 50th*

Liathach twice in the space of a month, and some spectacular beach photography 8) . Like the look of that loop for the bike. With Gill enjoying a similar (slightly shorter) round on South Harris recently, I may be able to persuade her to do this one as well :)

*or perhaps not quite yet :wink:
Ha ha 50th!! A young 45 matey ;) The cycle is amazing, as you know. I did the two loops separate a while back, was great to combine them in one big loop :)
User avatar
dooterbang
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 1828
Munros:262   Corbetts:58
Fionas:18   Donalds:10
Sub 2000:10   Hewitts:18
Wainwrights:21   Islands:19
Joined: Oct 27, 2009
Location: Isle of Skye from Feb 2019 (Originally Glasgow)

Re: Tropical Scotland - A North West 7 Day Bender!!

Postby kev_russ » Wed Jun 22, 2016 8:44 pm

Braw 8) Happy Birthday auld yin :wink:
User avatar
kev_russ
Mountaineer
 
Posts: 395
Munros:198   Corbetts:77
Fionas:27   Donalds:33
Sub 2000:14   Hewitts:7
Wainwrights:9   
Joined: Mar 17, 2009
Location: Edinburgh

Re: Tropical Scotland - A North West 7 Day Bender!!

Postby Mrs Scoob » Wed Jun 22, 2016 9:51 pm

Fantastic! 8) :thumbup:

Also loving the WH poses on Am Faochagach... RocketRon (the 'original starfish'!) and Polly are easy ones but I'm at a loss on the 3rd one :lol: :lol: :lol: This should be a quiz round... :think: :lol:
User avatar
Mrs Scoob
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 761
Munros:143   Corbetts:222
Fionas:151   Donalds:89+52
Sub 2000:145   Hewitts:28
Wainwrights:7   Islands:22
Joined: Aug 1, 2014
Location: Birnam/Dunkeld

Re: Tropical Scotland - A North West 7 Day Bender!!

Postby martin.h » Thu Jun 23, 2016 12:22 pm

Fantastic, I love that part of Scotland, Assynt especially, it's almost "otherworldly", my first visit to Assynt was in 1975, I was only 16 and had never seen anything like it, I just couldn't stop gawping in awe! It's so far away from us it still holds a magical pull, I'll never tire of such a wonderful place.

Cheers.
User avatar
martin.h
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 657
Munros:223   Corbetts:25
Fionas:15   Donalds:15+2
Sub 2000:4   Hewitts:151
Wainwrights:214   Islands:29
Joined: Jul 31, 2011
Location: Halifax, West Yorkshire
Walk wish-list

Re: Tropical Scotland - A North West 7 Day Bender!!

Postby dooterbang » Thu Jun 23, 2016 10:48 pm

Mrs Scoob wrote:Fantastic! 8) :thumbup:

Also loving the WH poses on Am Faochagach... RocketRon (the 'original starfish'!) and Polly are easy ones but I'm at a loss on the 3rd one :lol: :lol: :lol: This should be a quiz round... :think: :lol:
The 3rd is meant to be Mountain thyme...she always pulls crazy faces ;)


martin.h wrote:Fantastic, I love that part of Scotland, Assynt especially, it's almost "otherworldly", my first visit to Assynt was in 1975, I was only 16 and had never seen anything like it, I just couldn't stop gawping in awe! It's so far away from us it still holds a magical pull, I'll never tire of such a wonderful place.

Cheers.
I still feel the same every time I'm up that way, very unique :)
User avatar
dooterbang
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 1828
Munros:262   Corbetts:58
Fionas:18   Donalds:10
Sub 2000:10   Hewitts:18
Wainwrights:21   Islands:19
Joined: Oct 27, 2009
Location: Isle of Skye from Feb 2019 (Originally Glasgow)

Re: Tropical Scotland - A North West 7 Day Bender!!

Postby johnkaysleftleg » Fri Jun 24, 2016 7:17 am

Doesn't get any better than that! Spent the same week on Arran with the same weather, was just like a dream :-D
Magnificent pics and a great way to cheer me up this morning :clap: :clap:
User avatar
johnkaysleftleg
Hill Bagger
 
Posts: 3340
Munros:25   Corbetts:11
Fionas:11   Donalds:3
Sub 2000:7   Hewitts:172
Wainwrights:214   Islands:8
Joined: Jan 28, 2009
Location: County Durham

Re: Tropical Scotland - A North West 7 Day Bender!!

Postby wilkiemurray » Fri Jun 24, 2016 10:17 am

absolutely superb:) looked fantastic - great report and piccies :)

ATB

Murray
User avatar
wilkiemurray
 
Posts: 1333
Joined: Jan 26, 2012
Location: Perthshire

8 people think this report is great.
Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).




Can you help support Walkhighlands?


Our forum is free from adverts - your generosity keeps it running.
Can you help support Walkhighlands and this community by donating by direct debit?



Return to Walk reports - Scotland

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 73 guests