Reaching for the Remote!

Whether it was the promise of good weather or the need to clear the mind after the exhaustion of the referendum (many minds were not that full anyway!), there was a terrific turnout of 31 members and guests for this meet.  This is a superb remote corner of Assynt with steep sandstone cliffs, narrow ridges and grand corries.  There are also magnificent views of the impressive hills of Stac Pollaidh and Suilven on one side and the Summer Isles out to the west on the other.  The weather was dry and hazy but unfortunately a lack of blue skies prevented a viewing of this area at its very best.  For that reason, you should make a point of coming back when it is good to understand why Coigach is one of the finest hill walks in the north-west highlands.

The original route to Ben More Coigach should have been via the track and the bridge over the river Runie from Blughasary.  Unfortunately the bridge was washed away in recent heavy rain, so the only other alternative was to approach the hill from the Stac Pollaidh road near Loch Lurgainn.  A huge party of 24 people including Tony, Alasdair M, Alastair W, Moira, Jake, Gordon, Ella, Andy B, Donna, Gemma, Lianne, Graeme M, Chris, Drummond, John H, Bob W, Bob Mac, Fiona D, Fiona C, Malcolm, Hilary, Natacha, David BD and Josh de-bussed here to begin their walk over initially rough terrain to gain the ridge of Beinn Tarsuinn.  Once over the ridge, the huge prow of Speicein Coinnich comes in to view. Looking formidable from a distance, a path all the way to the summit makes for an enjoyable ascent.  Once on the plateau, most of the party headed for the summit of Ben More Coigach (743m) and then over to the other Graham summit of Sgurr an Fhidhleir (708m).  Ella and Drummond went along the full length of the Coigach ridge before dropping down and eventually all the group made their way down to the minor road and the walk back to the bus at Achiltibuie.

Heavy, Bernie, Maggie D, George H, and Ray took a slightly different approach from the Stac Pollaidh road and made their way in to the impressive setting of Lochan Tuath, under the cliffs of Sgurr an Fhidhleir.  There were unconfirmed reports of naked swimming in the loch (still waiting for the photos!), before they went up a gully to the summit and then off the hill via the minor summits to the north.  Ken Ross  had a nice walk round the Achnahaird coast of sandy bays and rocky inlets and he did see an eagle.  Fran Knowles took her fishing line to try her luck at Loch Vatachan but the fish were not biting on the flat calm, midgy, silence of the loch.

Eventually, everyone kindly agreed to turn up in good time and a very enjoyable pub stop was had in the beer garden or the lounge of the Summer Isles Hotel at Achiltibuie.  A remote corner of Scotland and a place to linger in the warm sunshine ……… until the bus monitor forced us to leave!

Bus fare:              £15
Packed lunch:    £5.25
Can of Irn Bru:   £1.75
Walking in the hills of Assynt, guided by eagles: Priceless

Report: JohnH
Photos: DavidDB, JohnH and Heavy Whalley