walkhighlands

Dun Caan - An Unforgettable Summit Camp

Route: Dùn Caan

Sub 2000s: Dun Caan (Raasay)

Date walked: 26/08/2022

Time taken: 4 hours

Distance: 5.8km

Ascent: 320m

"We really should go over there sometime"

This is a phrase I've uttered literally every time we've been on Skye when driving past the Sconser Ferry Terminal to look at Raasay and it's mini-Stac Pollaidh peak Dun Caan. Some months ago, myself, Kiltedbiggles, DeanS, Colin and Nathan79 all arranged to have a journey over to Raasay (including an visit to the distillery) and a camp on Dun Caan's summit which looked to enjoy spectacular views in all directions. So the basic plan was set, and would be fine-tuned in the days and weeks leading up to what would prove to be a memorable trip for many, many reasons.

Finally Friday morning arrived, and with it the joy of a 5am rise to scoff some breakfast, sort out some last minute kit then head through to Meikleour to pick up Dean. After a couple of hours driving we met up with Allan, Nathan and Colin at the Well of the Seven Heads eatery at Bridge of Oich whereupon a fully justified second breakfast of a bacon and black pudding roll was wolfed down, with a totally unnecessary slab of vanilla sponge cake. Back on the road again, we followed the road past Invergarry past the now tree-obscured viewpoint and down towards Glen Shiel, passing what is surely the most expensive petrol/diesel on the planet at the Clunie :lol:

Finally we got onto Skye and arrived at the Sconser Ferry Terminal, with a mere 45 minute wait in glorious sunshine, with just enough breeze to keep the midge at bay. Onto the Ferry then for a first time trip over the Raasay for a reasonable £22 return (2 passengers).

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As the Ferry neared Raasay, we were treated to otherwise unseen views of Ben Tianavaig and up the coast to the Storr and beyond. Genuinely beautiful stuff.

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All too soon we arrived at our island destination and were off. First stop was the excellent Raasay Distillery. Even for someone like myself who's knowledge of whisky is limited to it tastes like fire and causes monumental hangovers, this was a great place to stop for a seat and a drink. Whisky afficionados will feel right at home. We missed the tour so were forced to sit and have a couple of drinks in the light and airy bar, and admire the decor.

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After an enjoyable stop here we decided it was time to make tracks for the main target of the weekend, Dun Caan, accessed from a reasonably generous car park after a few miles on a single track road. The views from the get-go were excellent, view views across to Skye nice and clear in the blazing sunshine.

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We could only have been walking 20 minutes when Colin spotted a couple of eagles. Up until now I had never properly seen a Golden Eagle that wasn't in captivity, one of them flew within about 30 feet of us, then the pair of them soared about before heading off. Sadly the only photo was this rubbish one on my phone :lol:

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What a start to the weekend, and we'd only just started walking. We slowly made our way along the easy to follow path, weighed down by heavy packs. Mine with photography gear, everyone else's with drammage. Just after the hill itself comes into view, there are a couple of stunning lochans of rather contrasting sizes.

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The second, much larger lochan appears once dropping down the path for a mildly inconvenient 10m height loss before climbing again for the summit itself.

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After this came the final steep pull to the summit. The path actually zig-zags up, considerably easing what would be an arduous process. Also there's no harm in stopping to admire the magnificent views in all directions. This was shaping up to be something pretty special.

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A short while later I arrived at the summit. And WHAT a summit. Dun Caan almost looks like a mini-Stac Pollaidh, but with a pretty friendly grassy tabletop summit, interspersed with a few large boulders. Being here well before the others, I took plenty of time to explore, and importantly find a decent tent pitch. This however is quite easy - there are several spots on the summit plateau ideal for a tent.

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Soon the rest of the group arrived and tents were pitched (after the obligatory admiration of jaw dropping views). As the sun gradually began to dip hopes of a spectacular sunset were dashed by a low band of cloud, however there was still plenty of opportunity for some golden light.

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Things took a turn for the interesting when Allan offered me a dram. I hadn't intended to drink tonight, however I folded like a cheap deckchair and drank what i can only assume was about a treble. The night wore on and it got pretty cold once the warmth of the sun dipped behind that annoying cloud band. Still, got a nice shot with the tent.

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I had another few drams and went to bed (well I assume I did because I woke up with the tent door open and half into my sleeping bag :lol: ). Unfortunately I had been woken by the necessity to kiss goodbye to the whisky and freeze dried meal. Several times :sick: Eventually I got back to sleep.

I woke just before 6am with what felt like an absolutely spectacular hangover. However I made myself get out of the tent, and saw were were in for a highly decent sunrise. I was right too, it was absolutely stunning, and went a small way to allay my dreadful roughness.

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After taking a few snaps, I contemplated the need for coffee and breakfast. I decided that I'd rather starve than force down a porridge pot, and the thought of drinking or eating literally anything filled me with dread. So i took some more photos instead.

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Beginning to feel somehow even worse I decided it was time to strike the tent (great fun now that the wind had gone and the midges were out in force). This was something of an ordeal :lol:

One final photo across the Inner Sound towards the mainland....

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It was now time for the painful part of this story, the return home :crazy: The walk back down the hill, even at only two miles or two took me ages. My backpack felt about double the weight, and I felt terrible in general. I got back to the car well before the others so tried to have a fairly fruitless sleep in the car with the air con on. After the while the others duly arrived, with the decision taken for Dean and I to head off to the Ferry, and the other three to head north to tackle Raasay's other marilyn. I spent the ferry journey back, sitting in the car, trying to avoid looking at any moving scenery :lol:

Once on Skye we decided just to head back home rather than faff about getting coffee etc. The journey back was absolute torture, with frequent stops to get up and walk about for fear of a technicolour yawn, or several. By the time we got to Spean Bridge I was able to force down a packet of Steak McCoys, which are surely the answer to any sort of food emergency and drank some flavoured water. The moral of the story - Whisky is best left to people other than me :lol:

In summary, Raasay is a fantastic wee Island and Dun Caan is a simply must-visit hill. It requires little effort, especially if you're not camping on it, and in my opinion is right up there with Stac Pollaidh in terms of views. I'll definitely be back to explore the place a bit more. Superb.

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Comments: 6



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Ascent: 2161m
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Distance: 32.6km
Ascent: 1604m
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Attachment(s) Fionas: Stac Pollaidh
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Ascent: 534m
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jupe1407


User avatar
Location: Forfar
Occupation: Welfare Rights Officer
Interests: Hills, Cycling, Cricket, Music, Books, Landscape Photography
Activity: Mountain Walker
Pub: Clachaig in winter
Mountain: Slioch
Place: Torridon
Gear: Alpkit lightweight poles
Member: The Grampian Club, Dundee
Camera: Nikon Z6
Ideal day out: Nothing better than a scenic, dramatic ridgewalk.
Ambition: Compleation by 2022

Munros: 269
Tops: 60
Corbetts: 52
Fionas: 12
Sub 2000: 7
Islands: 6



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Statistics

2022

Trips: 2
Distance: 37.8 km
Ascent: 2481m
Munros: 3
Corbetts: 1
Sub2000s: 1

2021

Trips: 2
Distance: 50 km
Ascent: 2620m
Munros: 1
Corbetts: 3

2018

Trips: 3
Distance: 44 km
Ascent: 3521m
Munros: 3
Fionas: 1

2017

Trips: 6
Distance: 241.15 km
Ascent: 20062m
Munros: 23
Corbetts: 5
Fionas: 3
Sub2000s: 1

2016

Trips: 17
Distance: 445.25 km
Ascent: 23361m
Munros: 40
Corbetts: 2
Sub2000s: 1

2015

Trips: 10
Distance: 147.77 km
Ascent: 9969m
Munros: 18
Corbetts: 1

2014

Trips: 13
Distance: 445.7 km
Ascent: 34685m
Munros: 62
Corbetts: 1

2013

Trips: 18
Distance: 259.48 km
Ascent: 18510m
Munros: 39
Corbetts: 2

2012

Trips: 4
Distance: 46.25 km
Ascent: 3404m
Munros: 5


Joined: May 15, 2012
Last visited: Mar 13, 2024
Total posts: 1501 | Search posts