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.

A Week in Assynt: Part Two

A Week in Assynt: Part Two


Postby johnkaysleftleg » Mon Nov 18, 2019 7:57 pm

Route description: Ben Hope

Munros included on this walk: Ben Hope

Date walked: 02/08/2019

Time taken: 5.25 hours

Distance: 7.7 km

Ascent: 913m

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).

Link to Part One

For Wednesday we decided to visit a couple of locations quite close to ourselves. First off we popped in to see the evocative ruins of Ardvreck Castle and explore its surrounds. Even with quite a few tourists wandering about the charm remains undiminished.

Image
Loch Assynt

Image
Romance in the Stone

Image
Allt na' Chalda Beag

Next off we visited the Bone Caves. The weather was a little hit and miss but it stayed relatively dry for our walk up and back down the glen. This is a fascinating place with a sense of how people lived so long ago, however the big disappointment was that how people live today was demonstrated by some unpleasant detritus left by some wild campers. Some individuals lack of respect for the environment never ceases to cause dismay. :(

Image
Allt na Uamh waterfall

Image
Allt na Uamh

Image
Bone Caves

Image
Creag nan Uamh

Time was running out for the week by now but with the weather due to be fine on Friday we earmarked it for a walk up Ben Hope. We still headed out into the iffy conditions on Thursday for a little potter around Knockan Crag, a fascinating location which ably demonstrates just how globally significant this wonderful area is.

Image
A moody Lochan an Ais

Image
Plenty weather about

Image
Ready to Pounce

Image
Hughie checks out the Moine Thrust

Things brightened up for the evening so I braved the midge and squelched my way to the shore of Cam Loch to watch the sun set behind the mighty Suilven. Conditions were not as dramatic as Wednesday but it was still a great experience to spend the end of the day in such a majestic location.

Image
Tranquil Cam Loch

Image
Under the Weather

Image
Suilven Sunset

Even though our cottage for the week was North of Ullapool, at Strathcannaird, this is not quite that far enough North :shock: as it was still the best part of two hours to get to the parking area at the foot of the Ben Hope trail. Once again Grace sat this one out, disappointing but what can you do.

it was a gorgeous morning as we quickly suited and booted to avoid the worst of the midges and set off up the trail. With a touch of mist still hanging to the crags and the sun shining brightly from clear blue skies it was truly idyllic as we passed the many beautiful cascades of the Allt na Caillich. The views up and down the Glen seemed to get better with just about every meter of height gained as we steadily made progress upwards.

Image
Strathmore meadows

Image
Strath More

Image
Falls on the Allt na Caillich

Image
North up the Glen

Image
....and South

Image
More waterfalls

Image
Gaining height

Image
Hughie

Image
...and again

Image
Views opening up

Image
A Little morning mist lingering

Once things flattened out a bit we had a break admiring the ever improving vista which now included Foinaven and friends, the shattered quartzite ridges shining brightly in the sun. I'd love them to come under my boots one day, another for the list.

Image
Looking over to the Quartzite Hills

Image
Looking South

Image
Lazy summer days

From here it was a steady walk up to the summit where we were greated by some jaw dropping views. Looking to the east at the empty land of Crag and lochan was amazing, there was a little cloud around to curtail things slightly but this only served to enhance the atmosphere. Following lunch I wandered over to the end of the ridge but by the time I got there cloud had settled on the northern nose of the mountain meaning I didn't see much. Once the sun went in and the midge rose from the ground it was time to head back the way we came.

Image
Ben Hope Textures

Image
Taking a breather

Image
Foinaven and friends

Image
Hughie once again

Image
Wide open spaces

Image
Foinaven mono

Image
Looking South East

Image
Suilven and Quinag

Image
King in the North

Image
Stunning View to the East

Image
...and to the South West

Image
Bit of clag coming in

Image
Cairn on the edge of the ridge

Image
Not a lot to see :(

Image
Quartzite mountains again

It was a lovely easy descent back to the car, and seeing all the great views again was hardly a hardship. Hughie led the way for the most part, and seemingly had a great time enjoying a bit of freedom. Once back at the car and driving home we actually got a clear view of Ben Loyal, I've been up this way a few times but this was the first clear view I've had, certainly another for the ever expanding to do list.

Image
Heading down

Image
Loch Hope

Image
Hughie leads the way

Image
Strathmore River

Image
Ben Hope

Image
Ben Loyal


Ben Hope.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts



So the end of a memorable week in the far North West. I must say this area has replaced Skye as my favourite part of Scotland, yes plenty people still come up here in the summer but the numbers seem manageable, unlike Skye which on our last visit was clearly creaking under the ever expanding visitor numbers with the honey pots completely overwhelmed. I'm already counting the days till I return.
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: A Week in Assynt: Part Two

Postby Sunset tripper » Mon Nov 18, 2019 8:27 pm

Great pics of a great area once again. Strangely, Strathcanaird or Ullapool is a bit awkward for getting to the Ben Hope area. Probably just as quick to get there from Inverness. :?

A far better drive from Ullapool though. All the best. :D
User avatar
Sunset tripper
 
Posts: 2965
Joined: Nov 3, 2013
Location: Inverness

Re: A Week in Assynt: Part Two

Postby R1ggered » Tue Nov 19, 2019 4:19 pm

Sunset tripper wrote:Great pics of a great area once again. Strangely, Strathcanaird or Ullapool is a bit awkward for getting to the Ben Hope area. Probably just as quick to get there from Inverness. :?

A far better drive from Ullapool though. All the best. :D

Great report. Ben Hope is a great mountain and location to walk and climb. Hopefully you did not miss the historic Dun Dornaigil broch which you would pass just a few miles south of the car park at ben Hope.
R1ggered
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 130
Munros:175   
Joined: Nov 28, 2012

Re: A Week in Assynt: Part Two

Postby R1ggered » Tue Nov 19, 2019 4:56 pm

johnkaysleftleg wrote:Link to Part One

For Wednesday we decided to visit a couple of locations quite close to ourselves. First off we popped in to see the evocative ruins of Ardvreck Castle and explore its surrounds. Even with quite a few tourists wandering about the charm remains undiminished.

Image
Loch Assynt

Image
Romance in the Stone

Image
Allt na' Chalda Beag

Next off we visited the Bone Caves. The weather was a little hit and miss but it stayed relatively dry for our walk up and back down the glen. This is a fascinating place with a sense of how people lived so long ago, however the big disappointment was that how people live today was demonstrated by some unpleasant detritus left by some wild campers. Some individuals lack of respect for the environment never ceases to cause dismay. :(

Image
Allt na Uamh waterfall

Image
Allt na Uamh

Image
Bone Caves

Image
Creag nan Uamh

Time was running out for the week by now but with the weather due to be fine on Friday we earmarked it for a walk up Ben Hope. We still headed out into the iffy conditions on Thursday for a little potter around Knockan Crag, a fascinating location which ably demonstrates just how globally significant this wonderful area is.

Image
A moody Lochan an Ais

Image
Plenty weather about

Image
Ready to Pounce

Image
Hughie checks out the Moine Thrust

Things brightened up for the evening so I braved the midge and squelched my way to the shore of Cam Loch to watch the sun set behind the mighty Suilven. Conditions were not as dramatic as Wednesday but it was still a great experience to spend the end of the day in such a majestic location.

Image
Tranquil Cam Loch

Image
Under the Weather

Image
Suilven Sunset

Even though our cottage for the week was North of Ullapool, at Strathcannaird, this is not quite that far enough North :shock: as it was still the best part of two hours to get to the parking area at the foot of the Ben Hope trail. Once again Grace sat this one out, disappointing but what can you do.

it was a gorgeous morning as we quickly suited and booted to avoid the worst of the midges and set off up the trail. With a touch of mist still hanging to the crags and the sun shining brightly from clear blue skies it was truly idyllic as we passed the many beautiful cascades of the Allt na Caillich. The views up and down the Glen seemed to get better with just about every meter of height gained as we steadily made progress upwards.

Image
Strathmore meadows

Image
Strath More

Image
Falls on the Allt na Caillich

Image
North up the Glen

Image
....and South

Image
More waterfalls

Image
Gaining height

Image
Hughie

Image
...and again

Image
Views opening up

Image
A Little morning mist lingering

Once things flattened out a bit we had a break admiring the ever improving vista which now included Foinaven and friends, the shattered quartzite ridges shining brightly in the sun. I'd love them to come under my boots one day, another for the list.

Image
Looking over to the Quartzite Hills

Image
Looking South

Image
Lazy summer days

From here it was a steady walk up to the summit where we were greated by some jaw dropping views. Looking to the east at the empty land of Crag and lochan was amazing, there was a little cloud around to curtail things slightly but this only served to enhance the atmosphere. Following lunch I wandered over to the end of the ridge but by the time I got there cloud had settled on the northern nose of the mountain meaning I didn't see much. Once the sun went in and the midge rose from the ground it was time to head back the way we came.

Image
Ben Hope Textures

Image
Taking a breather

Image
Foinaven and friends

Image
Hughie once again

Image
Wide open spaces

Image
Foinaven mono

Image
Looking South East

Image
Suilven and Quinag

Image
King in the North

Image
Stunning View to the East

Image
...and to the South West

Image
Bit of clag coming in

Image
Cairn on the edge of the ridge

Image
Not a lot to see :(

Image
Quartzite mountains again

It was a lovely easy descent back to the car, and seeing all the great views again was hardly a hardship. Hughie led the way for the most part, and seemingly had a great time enjoying a bit of freedom. Once back at the car and driving home we actually got a clear view of Ben Loyal, I've been up this way a few times but this was the first clear view I've had, certainly another for the ever expanding to do list.

Image
Heading down

Image
Loch Hope

Image
Hughie leads the way

Image
Strathmore River

Image
Ben Hope

Image
Ben Loyal

Ben Hope.gpx


So the end of a memorable week in the far North West. I must say this area has replaced Skye as my favourite part of Scotland, yes plenty people still come up here in the summer but the numbers seem manageable, unlike Skye which on our last visit was clearly creaking under the ever expanding visitor numbers with the honey pots completely overwhelmed. I'm already counting the days till I return.

Great report. Ben Hope is a great mountain and location to walk and climb. Hopefully you did not miss the historic Dun Dornaigil broch which you would pass just a few miles south of the car park at ben Hope
R1ggered
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 130
Munros:175   
Joined: Nov 28, 2012

Re: A Week in Assynt: Part Two

Postby johnkaysleftleg » Tue Nov 19, 2019 5:01 pm

Sunset tripper wrote:Great pics of a great area once again. Strangely, Strathcanaird or Ullapool is a bit awkward for getting to the Ben Hope area. Probably just as quick to get there from Inverness. :?

A far better drive from Ullapool though. All the best. :D


Many thanks, I didn't really think about Inverness area if I'm honest, worth considering for any future trips to the glorious far north.

R1ggered wrote:Great report. Ben Hope is a great mountain and location to walk and climb. Hopefully you did not miss the historic Dun Dornaigil broch which you would pass just a few miles south of the car park at ben Hope.


Many thanks. We did see it as we passed, looks a very evocative location.
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: A Week in Assynt: Part Two

Postby Silverhill » Sun Nov 24, 2019 11:03 pm

Stunning pictures of one of my favourite parts of Scotland. The view east from Ben Hope is truly special 8)
User avatar
Silverhill
 
Posts: 1360
Munros:282   Corbetts:27
Fionas:7   Donalds:42
Sub 2000:28   
Joined: Jan 13, 2013

Re: A Week in Assynt: Part Two

Postby johnkaysleftleg » Tue Nov 26, 2019 10:41 am

Silverhill wrote:Stunning pictures of one of my favourite parts of Scotland. The view east from Ben Hope is truly special 8)


Thank you very much. That view is certainly up there for me.
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

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: KHugtenburg and 85 guests