Inversions and an eagle above Loch Arkaig

[rockhopper]

A very late change in plans on the Saturday afternoon meant that most of Sunday would now be free for a trip to the hills. The weather forecast suggested north and west should be good with the potential for inversions over water. Drove up to Loch Arkaig that night for an early start on the Sunday which would allow me to be back home in time to make dinner.

Left the car parked in a clearing in the trees at NN157892 and set off a little before sunrise – not as early as hoped though. Walked along the road towards Marine Harvest then turned northwards on to the track just before the bridge. It’s now a good hydro track all the way to about NN161910.

Up out of the clag fairly quickly could see down Loch Arkaig



Was on the wrong side of the Graham to be able to see the sunrise but there was some colour on this side.







Got to the end of the good track then continued on the much rougher track to the east of the Allt Dubh. Quite boggy in places. Improving views as height was gained.









About NN166931, crossed the allt and started NW up the rough hillside. Found this quite steep and hard going at times.

Onwards and upwards



Arrived at the summit of Geal Charn with inversions not only over Loch Arkaig but also further northwards.











Spent ages at the summit taking photos and sitting looking at the views. The hills in the distance towards Loch Quoich and west out to Knoydart were reasonably clear.











Southwards



Self portrait



Eventually decided to head off NE towards Meall Coire nan Saobhaidh



Unnamed lochan on the bealach





Towards Loch Quoich possibly with the Cuillin (Sgurr nan Gillean maybe) in the far left half distance.











Then a bit of a drop SW to the Bealach Choire a’ Ghuirein before the walk up to the summit of Meall na h-Eilde.



Nearby munros



Towards the Graham



Eastwards



Southwards



Could see a bird in the distance – stood and watched it for ages soaring upwards and hardly ever flapping its wings. Unfortunately it never really got that close before flying off northwards but managed to get some photos. First time I’d ever managed to get any photos of a golden eagle – cropped as it was quite far away.







Rather basic and very short video is at the following link

Set off SW down the hillside towards the Allt Tarsuinn.



Had long since decided that I’ll never manage all the Grahams but if any are close by and look interesting I’d keep them in mind. It was a nice day, still quite early and looked like Glas Bheinn could afford some nice views down the loch so headed steeply up it more or less due south from the allt.







Hinds



Stag





Summit











Sgurr Mòr I think



Then just a case of descending back down to near the hydro and the good track back to the road then back to the car. Reasonable drive back home in time to make the dinner.

[mamoset]

Looks like an interesting walk rockhopper, always nice to see inversion shots & all topped off with some wildlife encounters

[RiverSong]

Enjoyed this report and photos very much, loved the film of the eagle. Really glad you're still doing these big walks and posting on the site

[Caberfeidh]

Excellent pics, well done on getting photos of the eagle.

[Cairngorm creeper]

A superb set of pictures from what looked like a great day, especially with the inversion and the eagle,

[Huff_n_Puff]

Really enjoyed that, some stunning photos and an interesting route.

[litljortindan]

A great looking day and fine zoom shots. Would like to visit this corner one day.

[Collaciotach]

Nice one

[ancancha]

Fabulous wild life photos and photos generally, great to see the golden eagle

[dogplodder]

Great shots of the eagle and stag. Whenever I see an eagle I'm never quick enough with the camera to capture it before it's a distant blurry dot. For all their apparent lack of effort they move way too fast.

[dooterbang]

Brilliant inversions Great eagle shots Wonderful stag photos Not a bad day then

I see from reading your other report that you've adopted your own trademark "pose", welcome to the gang

[simon-b]

Some of your best pictures yet, rockhopper. I don't think there's much doubting that is the Cuillin you can see beyond Loch Quoich. And I know catching an eagle in a photo isn't easy!

[mountain thyme]

Stunning pics RH. What a fantastic day we got. I would have drove passed your car heading to the wee corbett at the end of the road

[rockhopper]

Thanks everyone

I would have drove passed your car heading to the wee corbett at the end of the road

Yup - one car did drive past very early on - moving very quickly ! - cheers

[wilkiemurray]

still got these two to do - hope I get similar conditions when I get there - superb piccies of the landscapes and wildlife

ATB

Murray