Rueval, Benbecula

[FloozySuzie]

This is not the most exciting walk report you will have read. But i feel like the Outer Hebrides have to have more reports linked to the walk descriptions, so here goes.

Continuing on our way up the islands, we stayed the night in Benbecula at a nice wee B&B. Mr and Mrs Maclean were amazing.

She made this for us, each.

The wind started to pick up as we were watching the re-run of the Xtra Factor, but we decided to tackle the only hill on the island, Rueval.

We walked down an uninteresting road, for what seemed like ages. It felt even longer on the way back.

Just before the hill is an ugly landfill site. Just here the rain started, so it was on with the waterproofs.

Unfortunately we couldn’t see much. There were loads of wee lochs everywhere; it was a very strange sight.

I actually really enjoyed doing this. When we got back, we even managed to catch more of the Xtra Factor, which Sarah was delighted about.

[mountain coward]

Ah that takes me back... I actually lived there for 4.5 years but never got up the hill until I started coming back on holiday every year after I left! My boyfriend at the time actually rode our motorbike to the top!

[FloozySuzie]

Haha really! It was quite an easy climb. 5000 times easier than Heaval anyway!
When we stayed at Howmore, Hecla and Bheinn Mhor were staring me in the face looking amazing, but no way are we up for that yet, plus we wouldn't have had time. They aint going anywhere

[mountain coward]

Those are a longish walk in... and of course, no paths - or at least there weren't when I was up them last - but then neither was there a path on Heaval and there looks to be now.

BTW - that home-made cakie and scone and jam look awesome!

[FloozySuzie]

Ooooh yes it was Although, we thought the white stuff tasted like Philadelphia. Is that what clotted cream tastes like? It was rather odd, but it worked.

[Alastair S]

Cake and scone! Its making me hungry - excuse me while I raid the kitchen

[mountain coward]

Ooooh yes it was Although, we thought the white stuff tasted like Philadelphia. Is that what clotted cream tastes like? It was rather odd, but it worked.

Alastair - I wish I had cakes and things in my kitchen!

The stuff that tastes like Philadelphia would be 'Crowdie' - it is a type of soft cheese... very popular in the Hebs

[icemandan]

Like the look of the scones and cake but following the boring road to the landfill site doesn't sound like much fun.

[malky_c]

Heheh. You haven't exactly sold this area well in the report, but I still fancy a visit sometime!

[houdi]

Living in Devon I can assure you that clotted cream tastes gorgeous and is nothing like cheese. Anyway, must dash as I have a Devon cream tea waiting for me.

[icemandan]

You won't be dashing anywhere if you eat too many Devon cream teas!

[houdi]

Don't I know it. And for that very reason I try to limit myself to only three a day.

[mountain coward]

Living in Devon I can assure you that clotted cream tastes gorgeous and is nothing like cheese. Anyway, must dash as I have a Devon cream tea waiting for me.

While I was jealous of the scones & the sandwich cake, defo not jealous of the clotted cream - I think it just tastes of pure fat! Far too rich for my liking...

I never used to mind the 'boring road to the landfill' or more correctly, the old Market Stance when I used to live up there and the track behind Rueval is quite nice once you get into the wilderness more. But it is the only hill on Benbecula so, if you're staying there, you just have to do it!

Having said that, there's scores of great hills on South Uist so you're better to get off down to them really...