Glimpse of heaven - calm before the storm

[Jaxter]

It was the beginning of the February break – we’d driven up to Inverness the night before; the next morning Malky had to get up and go to work ( ) so I chucked my stuff in the car and drove out to Achnasheen. It was a beautiful morning, and although it was forecasted to be windy up high the sun was shining and I was thrilled to be out

I left the car just past the end of Loch Sgamhain


I walked back along the road a short distance until I got to the break in the forest – looking straight up Beinn na Feusaige


Looking down towards Sgurr na Feartaig


At the fire break there was a convenient gate; it was locked but without my rucksack on I was able to fit in between the rungs and I was on my way


The ground was a bit rough but easy enough alongside the fence. It was steep but I gained height quickly which got me out of the shade and into the sunshine


Looking down to Carn Breac and the ridge that completes the horseshoe


The road towards Strathcarron


Looking across Loch Sgamhain to Moruisk


As I left the trees behind I had to climb a really awkward deer fence and then it was a straight smash upwards to the summit plateau, which gave me some really fantastic views towards the Torridon biggies


Looking down Loch Maree – Meall a’ Ghiubhais on the left, Slioch on the right


Slioch and the Fisherfield hills


I wasn’t sure which end of the ridge was the summit so had a wander down to the other end just in case




It was worth the effort because the views down towards Loch Gowan were awesome


Loch Maree and Slioch


Stunning views to Liathach, Beinn Eighe & Meall a’ Ghiubhais


It was pretty blowy but I figured it was worth getting the big lens out to get a shot of An Teallach


Fisherfield Hills


Slioch


Beinn Eighe


Liathach


Loch Maree and the Fisherfield hills


Moruisg and the Monar hills


Summit of Beinn na Feusaige


It was time to get going – it was chilly and the other hill was looking an awfy long way away As I walked back across the long summit I could see down to Loch Carron and the southern tip of Skye


Sun hitting Slioch


Looking back


I followed the fence down towards Loch Meallan Mhic Iamhair which gave me some more fabulous views towards Torridon


The loch and the ridge up to Carn Breac


Amazing Beinn Eighe


Liathach & Beinn Eighe




As I approached the loch the ground got more and more boggy and there were big human-sized tussocks to climb up and over


Looking across the loch to the Monar hills


The first hurdle was Meallan Mhic Iamhair, which was a steep rugged b*stard but the views sort of made up for the awkwardness


Looking back to Beinn na Feusaige


Liathach & Sgurr Dubh


Couldn’t get enough of this view!


Finally at the top of Meallan Mhic Iamhair I could now see ahead to Carn Breac


Loch Clair and the Fannaichs


The Fisherfield hills with Slioch centre stage


Lots of deer around, but kind of hard to see in the photo


The sun was hitting Torridon again


Getting from Meallan Mhic Iamhair involved sliding down and then back up some steep ground (although when I looked back it turned out that there was an easier route ) and it was a relatively easy stroll onwards


Looking down the glen towards Loch Sgamhain


As I climbed up this section I was hoping to find the path I was planning to descend later on, but I didn’t notice any sign of it – a problem for later on then

Loch na Moine Moire & Loch an Fhiarlaid with Slioch & the Fisherfield hills behind


As I continued the Achnashellach munros started to appear….


It was easy walking from here and I was nearly at the summit


There were some really cool rocks on the last section


The sun came out and I could see across the wee lochans to Slioch and the fisherfield


A completely different landscape to Beinn na Feusaige as I approached the summit of Carn Breac


Sgurr na Ceannaichean with the Sgurrs behind


Now at the summit the views were sensational but it was insanely windy. It was definitely the finer viewpoint although both hills were pretty good Fortunately the humungous cairn gave shelter from the wind and I was able to sit and enjoy my lunch and a flask of tea whilst soaking up the views

Looking down Loch Coulin towards Torridon


Fuar Tholl, Sgorr Ruadh & Beinn Liath Mor


Loch Carron with Southern Skye hills behind


Slioch and the Fisherfield


Kintail hills (left) and Sgritheall/Knoydart (right)




Liathach


Slioch


Beinn Tarsuinn & Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair


Ladhar Bheinn & Beinn Sgritheall


The Sgurrs


Think this might be the red cuillin


Sun on the Fisherfield


I could have sat there for hours, but figured it was a bit of a trek to get back. I couldn’t be bothered with trying to find the path into the corrie so figured I’d complete the horseshoe and drop off the end somehow (I’d worry about that bit later!)

Heading off there were a couple more sort-of-summits which I visited – looking back to the huge summit cairn


Looking straight down the glen (Sgurr a’ Mhuillin in the distance)


The ground got a bit soggy as I dropped, but fortunately it was only in the dip – looking back to Carn Breac as it drops steeply into the glen


It was a really nice ridge and I was really glad that I’d decided to stay high. It was windy but not as bad as at the summit (with the exception of this gully where it turned into a wind tunnel and sent me scurrying after my hat )


Loch Carron


Loch Carron zoomed – the early evening colours were awesome


A last glimpse of Slioch and the Fisherfield


Looking back


The ground was pretty good underfoot – there were traces of path here and there, and not too much bog. After a while it started dropping more steeply downhill and I could see Loch Sgamhain ahead


Looking back


As I started to drop down the final section I could see that the forest had been largely cleared (I hadn’t thought to check before I started the walk ) which made the descent a lot easier and gave the deer more hillside to play with


Beinn na Feusaige – where it all began


The evening light was stunning


I picked up an ATV track which led to the fence at a convenient gate – which was locked Once over the gate the boggy track led me to another gate and then I was on the old section of road. Nice to finally have solid ground under my feet


It was an easy walk along the old road back to my car where the sun was just dipping behind the hill. A wonderful day out on some wonderfully quiet hills – sadly it was prelude to a disappointing week off in terms of weather, with the notable exception of a day on Skye….

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[Sunset tripper]

Nice one Jaxter. That looked like a crackin' day - I cant remember any decent days in February but plenty now.

[dav2930]

Truly a heavenly vision from our confinement in these troubled times! Lots of fabulous pics there, but the compositional perfection of 'Looking down Loch Coulin towards Torridon' took my breath away. That has to be one of the finest views in the UK, comparable with the view of Loch Coruisk and the Cuillin from Sgurr na Stri?

At present Torridon seems like a wonderous world beyond our reach, all the more poignantly magical for that. Looking at those images of the sunlit heights, a hopeful thought came to me. When the day comes that we can pick up our trekking poles again and head up the mountain tracks, we might, just might, be walking into a better world.

[BlackPanther]

It is a fantastic circuit indeed, we did it twice already, and would happily repeat it again! That panorama is something special, certainly in the fantastic conditions you had. We always seemed to pick a windy day for these two

It's frustrating to be so close to the hills yet so far. I see the bulky shape of Ben Wyvis when doing my daily Boris walk. Feels like I can almost touch it

[Mal Grey]

Ah, so that's what those hills look like. I've driven past them so many times, and even mentioned them to the lads this year when we were staying at Gerry's, but the clag was too low and wind too strong and wet to motivate ourselves to do rounded humps without views!

Great report, as always, some great cloud shapes going on. I wonder if your "red cuillin" are actually the Sgurr na Coinnich group of hills just above Kyleakin? The angle of the view looks about right (yes I'm sad enough to draw a line on the map to try and work it out, that's what lock-down distracting has come to!)

[Alteknacker]

Truly a heavenly vision from our confinement in these troubled times! Lots of fabulous pics there, but the compositional perfection of 'Looking down Loch Coulin towards Torridon' took my breath away. That has to be one of the finest views in the UK, comparable with the view of Loch Coruisk and the Cuillin from Sgurr na Stri?

At present Torridon seems like a wonderous world beyond our reach, all the more poignantly magical for that. Looking at those images of the sunlit heights, a hopeful thought came to me. When the day comes that we can pick up our trekking poles again and head up the mountain tracks, we might, just might, be walking into a better world.

Says it all - nothing to add!

[jmarkb]

Great report - looks much nicer than I would have guessed from what you can see of these hills from the road - and the views...
On my list for the next time I'm up that way!

I wonder if your "red cuillin" are actually the Sgurr na Coinnich group of hills just above Kyleakin?

It's the Rum Cuillin! The Sgurr na Coinnich group is out of shot to the left - both are visible in the "Loch Carron with Southern Skye hills behind" shot.

[Mal Grey]

It's the Rum Cuillin! The Sgurr na Coinnich group is out of shot to the left - both are visible in the "Loch Carron with Southern Skye hills behind" shot.

So it is. Funnily enough, I thought that on my first glance, but convinced myself they were too close and the angle was wrong.

[Jaxter]

Nice one Jaxter. That looked like a crackin' day - I cant remember any decent days in February but plenty now.

There weren't many, but I'd happily take the crap weather now if I was able to go out in it

Truly a heavenly vision from our confinement in these troubled times! Lots of fabulous pics there, but the compositional perfection of 'Looking down Loch Coulin towards Torridon' took my breath away. That has to be one of the finest views in the UK, comparable with the view of Loch Coruisk and the Cuillin from Sgurr na Stri?

At present Torridon seems like a wonderous world beyond our reach, all the more poignantly magical for that. Looking at those images of the sunlit heights, a hopeful thought came to me. When the day comes that we can pick up our trekking poles again and head up the mountain tracks, we might, just might, be walking into a better world.

Thanks - yes it reminded me of Sgurr na stri/coruisk too! It does feel an awfy long way away - we will appreciate it all the more when we can get back there I guess

It is a fantastic circuit indeed, we did it twice already, and would happily repeat it again! That panorama is something special, certainly in the fantastic conditions you had. We always seemed to pick a windy day for these two

It's frustrating to be so close to the hills yet so far. I see the bulky shape of Ben Wyvis when doing my daily Boris walk. Feels like I can almost touch it

Aye stuck in my bed in Glasgow they feel even further away, although at least I don't have the frustration of being able to see them from my window

Great report - looks much nicer than I would have guessed from what you can see of these hills from the road - and the views...
On my list for the next time I'm up that way!

I wonder if your "red cuillin" are actually the Sgurr na Coinnich group of hills just above Kyleakin?

It's the Rum Cuillin! The Sgurr na Coinnich group is out of shot to the left - both are visible in the "Loch Carron with Southern Skye hills behind" shot.

Doh I spent ages drawing lines across maps, then malky and I had an argument about it. And we were still wrong I suppose I didn't think of islands because they seemed so far away!

[Huff_n_Puff]

Lovely - another route to add to the list that starts ... When lockdown is over ... Stunning photos.