As we progressed through the strange time of semi lockdown and restrictions in the autumn of 2020 I found my thoughts wandering to Assynt, so we decided to give up the tyranny of munro bagging for one day a head for an Assynt corbett. There were some good reasons for this, first of all we both love Assynt, secondly the hills there are doable in a day trip from home and thirdly we could take our elderly spaniel, Biggles, with us. He'd been retired from long hill days last year but at thirteen and a half he was still showing healthy signs of enjoying the great outdoors. Cul Beag should be within his limits.

The start was relaxed, even time to take some dawn views of the Cromarty Firth before we left.


Dawn with a jack up


An easy run to Ullapool (only spoilt by the inconsiderate behaviour of a group of fat middle aged men in confederate style bikng gear using their bikes to prevent anyone else using the Petrol Station causing massive queues down the main road). But once we were on the road north their behaviour was forgotten, eclipsed by the grandeur of the landscape.

Cul Beag and Cul Mor at the start of the walk


with a clear message for walkers


reflective mode


Cul Beag with Roger and Biggles off in front.

Biggles making the most of a rest stop

he got his rewards

Cul Beag getting closer


with Cul Mor over to our right


Skyscape to the south


Juniper - I've never noticed as much juniper as on this hill


Humans fuelled by cake, but not the type for sharing with a dog


Looking south west towards Ben More Coigach and Sgurr an Fhidhleir


then north east to the Assynt Munros across the amazing pancake rocks of Meall Dearg


From the bealach between Meall Dearg, Biggles investigates


we admire the lochan


before starting the final (steep) ascent (with rest breaks )


Roger and Biggles safely at the summit


Even when I know the views from the top will be stunning I wasn't really prepared for just how stunning


Stac Pollaidh


Loch Lurgainn


Stac Pollaidh crept into the viewfinder again


Looking north east over Assynt


Coastal view north


On the return trip Biggles decided to investigate the lochan further


South west cliffs of Cul Mor


and the Assynt Munros


Almost back, Cul Mor reflection


Not quite sunset


Last look at three stunning hills


We drove home happy with the day and delighted to get Biggles out into the environment he has learned to love. Sadly we didn't realise that this was going to be his last hillwalk. Over the next two and a half months he walked up (little) local hills, went on forest walks and coast walks, but then, just before Christmas, his kidneys failed and we had to make the sad decision that prolonging his life would not have been kind. This was a double hit for us, Bertie, his life long canine companion, had died from cancer at the end of June and so our two great hill companions had gone. They had beaten us to the top of over a hundred Munros; one day I'll write about them and the great times we had together - but not yet.