It has been a long time since I was out doing a new Munro. Early last November it was, up in Kintail doing the Five Sisters. Since then fitness has steadily deteriorated. Weather and circumstances just not working out right. More recently Coronavirus has invaded our shores.

At last a decent day comes along, with nothing else to hinder me. Travel restrictions were gradually getting introduced, but thought a trip within my own province was not too excessive and not being so fit, a Corbett like Dun da Ghaiothe, would make for a decent trip.

Early start to make the ferry from Oban. Still seemed about as busy as usual. Despite forecast DdG was shrouded in cloud at higher level as we left Bonnie Oban Bay. Enjoyed some nice views of snow capped hills to the north as the ferry made for the Sound of Mull, passing Lismore and Duart Castle.

I can't say I was thrilled at the thought of walking to and from the walk start point, so decided to chance my luck hitching a lift. Sure enough I got lucky, picked up by a lovely young lass, hardly off the ferry. It's only a couple of miles out to Duart road end, but boy does it help!

From the start point, one is quickly faced with option of what road to take, as it splits left and right. Yes, you're right, I took the one to the left, which isn't right Quickly rumbled my mistake and returned to the road which rises steeply, then sharply turns to the left.

From there, it is a pretty straight forward land rover track much of the way. Quite a long way, felt my legs. Gradually one reaches the tall masts, then the spectacular view of the snow covered summit and "ridge" emerges, rounding a corner. Wow. That looks more like it!

Met a chap descending. He must have set off early? No, he had wild camped at upper mast. The previous day had been hellish weather. He tried for the top today, but had to abandon that plan as he'd run out of time needing to get an earlier ferry. Tough guy!

Anyway, I kept on up, gradually reaching the snow line near the upper mast. The views of the summit and Meall a' Choire Mhoire, were just superb. Soon made it to the first top, which has a trig point and large cairn. Great views back to the mainland, picking out some of the Glencoe hills and the Ben, just about.

It's a nice walk over to the true summit, but, jeezo, it was cold! Took about 2.5 hrs to the summit. More great views of Ben More, Mull hills, etc though bit cloudy. Took as many pics as I could, but hands were frozen. Had to reverse use of hands, holding the camera with my right, operating shutter with left. (Rt hand had been holding walking pole, colder. Lt hand in pocket, warmer )

Didn't hang around and made back for the first top. Much to my delight, one of the Yeoman fleet, the Yeoman Bontrup, was heading outbound from Glensanda, enabling me to combine hobby of shipspotting and hillwalking. Superb! The Bontrup has a troubled history, but will leave you to explore that.

Steadily wound my way down past the masts and back to the road, just under the four and three quarter hours. Time to exercise the thumb again and as before, soon got lucky with a lift back to Craignure. Plenty time for a pint at the hotel. No social distancing in place at this time, though I made ample use of the hand gel in my rucksack.

All too soon I was back on the ferry reflecting on a fun trip to Mull. A few days later we learned of a case of Coronavirus on Mull, perhaps one of the earliest in Argyll and as they say, that was that Confined to barracks!
Missing the hills badly, but like every everyone else, just praying our family and friends all come through this disaster and we can go hiking again someday.