My good friend Jock McJock got in touch with me as he was looking to have a good look at doing one of the most famous ridge walks in Scotland which was the South Glen Shiel Ridge Walk which if we finished would mean that we had done seven Munros in one day! Awesome! I was full of trepidation as I had already done the Sisters walk down Glen Shiel and knew how tiring a day that was. However, with a bit of confidence coming back to me for my hill walking and recently gone back to finish business at Beinn a Ghlo meant that I was in a better place with this walk especially with Jock McJock coming along as well gave me more confidence. So we met at the Clunie Inn and shortly afterwards got the boots on and loaded up with sugar sweets and water we made our way up the old road from Cluanie to Tomdoun. Before the walk started we put on one of our cars further down the road in a lay by where we would finish the walk if we were successful. You can see clearly as we walked the fine views over Loch Clunie. For a lot of the walk you never lost the view to Loch Clunie and it was very pleasant. Once we established that there was a cairn at the road side near the bridge that gives you a pointer to depart the road and so we started to walk up towards the first Munro. Steady walking meant that we were making good steady progress and we could see as we rose higher and higher the first Munro Creag a’ Mhaim could be seen. However we had a good hill to climb and as we looked back we were not alone as a lone walker with very dazzling attire could be seen (you couldn’t miss him!) and he strongly put on a good pace and half way up we met and had a natter before he left us and spurted up towards the first munro. Steadily we carried on before a group of three walkers spurted past and out of sight. I was struggling a bit as I hadn’t been out on the hills at this level for a while but kept going until both of us made the first munro of the day. That gave me confidence as I was struggling a bit but now we had in front of us the other 6 Munros. What was eveident ids that this became the routine walk where we would get to the next Munro and then have a resting descent as we walk down to the col and the ridge narrows with a gradual climb to the second peak of Druim Shionnach. We are then marching along to the highest peak Aonach air Chrith at 1021 mtrs. From there you can see the rest of the ridge winding ahead. There is a wee narrow ledge and rocky section but I didn’t feel in any difficulty though there was one moment of clinging on with only fingers but soon we got past that and again we were soon on our way down the grassy path. We were then on the up again as we made our way to Maol chin-Dearg and then a long slow ascent to Munro number five Sgurr an Doire Leathain. You need to make a small detour along the north east ridge and you need to go out to get there. You return to the main ridge which gives good views down to the Loch in Coire Lochan and climbs easily up to Sgurr an Lochain. This is the best view for Sgurr an lochain which is the best and most distinctive on the whole ridge. We saw that it had snow in various crevices and looked slightly like a Christmas tree. Maybe you need to have a creative mind but it is a splendid sight! This being the sixth munro we are nearly done. You have to be careful as the next peak Sgurr Beag is not a Munro with the ridge dropping to to its lowest point. Instead there is a final clmb to the final munro (Creag nan Dambh) finishing with a wee scramble and seeing the small cairn that marks the route of the descent.
From here you have a very steep descent which took a toll on my knees but it is the way down and as we steadily go down we can see our car in the layby even though it takes a good while before we eventually get there and heading back to the Clunie Inn and a beer was so good and a very special walk was complete. Thanks to Jock McJock and the others we met on this wonderful walk.