Area: Glen Dessary, Scotland
It was wonderful to be back at the remote far end of Loch Arkaig, 27 years since I was last here en route to Sourlies bothy. Although the lake is quite tame at the eastern end, by the time you get to Strathan along a tortuous narrow road it takes on its Western Highlands ambience, and the weather was now definitively improving. A bank holiday weekend, so lots of people had the same idea, but I got a perfect overnight spot a mile or two east of Strathan. The dominant mountain from here is Sgurr Thuilm, which I did from Glenfinnan a few years ago. I was tired after the parkrun and the last few days so pinpointed Fraoch Beinn, a Corbett not far from the roadhead, as the ideal afternoon outing. I cycled down to Strathan and then along the track for a mile or so before leaving the bike and striking up towards the south-west ridge. I left the big track fairly quickly and just picked my way up, there was no path as far as I could tell, which tends to happen as soon as you leave the munros. The weather was constantly improving and the views were superb - Gulvain, Streap and Thuilm the most notable but the mountains of Knoydart also coming into view. The ridge begins to coalesce towards the top but progress was tiring for obvious reasons. Eventually I found a little path and the top section was really enjoyable. From the top, new views over Loch Quioch and the peaks I had enjoyed so much this time last year. Sgurr Mor was also impressive. I tried to follow the path on the descent but lost it fairly quickly, descending steep slopes back to the track and bike. A tranquil evening on the shores of Loch Arkaig.
No comments:
Post a Comment