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They are the 7 characteristic Munros, the Crianlarich hills. We first met in 2007. Sitting in the train to Mallaig during my first trip to Scotland my attention was caught by the impressive giants. I was instantly fascinated by them and knew that I would return sometime. The kick off was in March 2013. You had to bag them all within a day. It took me a bit longer. Maybe I was just in need of a reason to stay in Crianlarich just once again. Its plainness makes it a wonderful place. Every dinner in the village pub Rod and Reel was special and every evening - in good and bad weather - was unforgettably beautiful in my room in the Crianlarich Hotel where I just read a book or gazed out of the window at the mountains.
For the Cruach Ardrain and Beinn Tulaichean the hotel also was my operating base. On this sun-drenched Sunday, the 7th of May I left very early in the morning to concur the last “mohicans”. I was not in a hurry and took my time to look around, following the standard route by Glen Falloch. Whilst walking I didn’t experience any troubles, the path was clear, it was only the drinking water I had to be careful about. On both summits the view was breathtaking.
“I gazed–and gazed–but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought…”
The day ended far to soon and with it a day in my walking life. Hopefully I’ll see my seven friends very often in the future from the train or from the bus up north, because I miss them very much.