On Sunday 20th October, twenty-one Club members and guests attended the Bus Meet to Glenfinnan. After picking up members and guests in Elgin, Forres and Inverness, the bus continued down the A82 and then along the A830. Seven stops were made along the A830 dropping-off members at the starting points of various hills. The weather forecast turned out to be much better than originally anticipated with blue skies, great visibility and cloud-free hills throughout much of the day.

First to disembark, at Drumsallie, were Malcolm, Bill and David. Good weather was had up to 800m then it was into hill-cloud with restricted views of nearby hills. Three ptarmigan and raven were seen and stags were heard bellowing. The summit of Gulvain was reached in just under four hours with a fifteen-minute tea-break taken en-route. There was some rain during the descent but it was dry back at the road.

Next off the bus were Natacha and Ray who had an excellent day out on two tough Corbetts – Sgurr Ghiubhsachain and Sgurr Craobh a’Chaorainn. About one hour was spent taking photographs of all the autumnal colours in good visibility. This was Natacha’s first views of Glenfinnan after many rainy visits. A fine round of hills indeed!

Drop-off number three was at the Glenfinnan viaduct:
Ali and Tom undertook a circuit of Sgurr Thuilm and Sgurr nan Coireachan.

Sophie and Benedict set out to ascend Beinn an Tuim, a Corbett Top of Streap.

Colin intended doing Streap but lots of horrible insects in the woods drove Colin back to the road. Colin then carried on to Bealach Coire nan Cearc then South to Beinn an Tuim. Steep descent back from there with more insects crawling all over his head.

Sandy decided to follow the crowd and climb Streap on his own. Sandy took the direct approach, climbing Beinn an Tuim by its southerly ridge which afforded some great views of Loch Shiel. A straight-forward traverse of the ridge took Sandy to Streap. After retracing his steps for a short distance, Sandy descended to Glenfinnan and followed the road back to the visitor centre.

Loch Shiel and Glenfinnan Viaduct from Beinn an Tuim (photo by Sandy)

Next off the bus were Brent, Graeme, Derrick, Ella and George. All ascended the Graham, Glas Charn. Excellent views were had from the summit. Brent, Graeme and Derrick went on to ascend Sgurr an Utha – rough terrain most of the day. The descent off Sgurr an Utha was less than enjoyable. Ella and George were back in time for a cup of tea at the station and a quick drink at the hotel. A good day out!

At the summit of Glas Charn (photo by Brent)

Alan and Fiona disembarked next to undertake a clockwise circuit of Beinn Odhar Mhor, Beinn Odhar Bheag and Beinn Mhic Cedidh. Mhor is “small” and Bheag is “big” in this case! Two great Corbetts. Lots of rutting stags were heard.

Rob was next off the bus, at the start of Loch Eilt, to undertake an anti-clockwise circuit of the same hills as Alan and Fiona. After undertaking this circuit, Rob also walked back to the Glenfinnan viaduct.

Last, but not least, off the bus were John and Andy who undertook a tough walk over two Marilyns starting from Glen Beasdale. It took 6 hours and 40 minutes to do Sidhean Mor (601m) and Beinn nan Cabar (574m). Very complex, pathless terrain; dry and mild weather for most of the day. Sidhean Mor is a fantastic viewpoint for Muck, Eigg, Rum and Skye. During the ascent of Beinn nan Cabar, Andy and John were met by a swarm of deer keds. Andy was particularly unimpressed with the one that got into his mouth and another that headed up his nostril. Disgusting insects (possibly same beasts as encountered by Colin).

Eigg and Rum from Sithean Mor (photo by Andy)

Andy ascending slabs on Sithean Mor (photo by John)

Cuillin Ridge (photo by Andy)

Unfortunately there was insufficient time for a pub stop during the return journey but a good day out was still had by all.

Author: Andy Lawson