A few plans were made for something to do on the journey over to Sheilbridge and changed many times which is usual for me. With all the toys onboard I decided on a paddle from Plockton so left and headed through the small islands towards Kishorn couple of lumps of merely there getting dismantled probably. Flat calm as I hugged the coast back round and landed on a wee island with a massive well built cairn on it would be interesting to know what for. Lot of seals going about.
Saturday had a late start and headed straight up Ben Screel steep going up and steep coming down. Clear till just before I summited. Lovely vies coming back down. On the way back I whizzed down on the Ebike to Sandaig for a look at the memorial. I met a young couple on the top of Ben Screel who had anchored their yacht here and walked up from there. Trying to mine if I was over that keen. Cycled up from Kintail centre part of the Affric way. Once on the single track I thought there were too many drainage ditches sometimes 3 or 4 in a row 10 feet apart took the fun out of it so about turn. Great weather all weekend plus the added bonus of some midgies at the campsite. Good on the campers for enduring them I was ok in van but felt so guilty I never put any repellent on.
Five Sisters – Dianne and Brent Craig. The morning after the evening midge hell and nothing had improved. Made some midge sandwiches and had a cup of tea with plenty of black flecks in. Waved everybody else off or were they just swatting the national bird of Scotland?
It was a relief to get on the hill steep as it is to get up to the bealach between the brothers and sisters rounds. Turning left we headed up to the hill of the Spaniards, rocky and rough ground but at least there was a path unlike my previous outing 34 years ago! Then it was snowy with low cloud and a cold wind, today the ridge was clear and the air was still and warm. After a short break we headed down the narrow and rocky ridge towards the first Munro of the day. We were in no rush as it was so warm and heavy and anyway it was as well to go carefully as there are some tricky bits to camber down.
After what seemed an age we got to the bealach and looked up to the first Munro and sister of the day. A steady pull up with quite a few breathers as we wiped away the muggy sweat and admired the tremendous views over to the South Clunie ridge. Reaching the top we had a leisurely lunch of haslet and midge rolls. All we could see in every direction was fabulous hills with the Sgurr Fhuaran, our last Munro of the day, the awe inspiring. Festooned with rocky ridges and walls it looked almost impossible. After a tiresome and foot hammering descent off Munro number 1 and then ascent and descent of Munro number 2, we stood at the bottom of this incredible looking hill.
Another break and a little more refreshment and we set off up the steep ridge. Like many hills though it looked more impressive from a distance than up close. That said the views from the top were fantastic and it really felt like a mountain top, sharp and exposed. As we dropped down the west side the North ridge and the remaining two sisters came into view. Wow, what a fabulous ridge, what a pleasure to be here in such brilliant weather. The descent down towards Loch Duich was long and a little painful on our hot battered feet. Having said that it was without doubt one of my favourite descents, the views were fabulous, awe inspiring walls of rock punctuated by steep swooping gullys. It went on and on but at such a shallow easy angle. Then it ended with a two mile road walk back to midge hell.
Report by Alistair Jeffs: It was fantastic to get out again to the weekend Club Meet at Kintail. The sun shone and banter resumed. On Friday I warmed up with a solo of Beinn na Lapp. The 3 hour return train allowed for a massive wedge of hazelnut chocolate cake and irn bru at Corrour station. On to Glensheil where I camped in the cheap seats but was very grateful to be invited over to Dianne and Brent’s (the posh side of the street) for a rhubarb gin and a padded seat. Dinner wasn’t bad either… Adi’s showcase cooked steak was washed down with David’s Aonach Eagach beer.
Saturday: the Forcan Ridge lived up to its expectations as myself and Adele took great delight in keeping one eye on the geology and flora and the other on our foot holds. Sunday over to Loch Quoich where we did a round of the 2 munros and I was provided endless oatcakes and apple. Great views. Peter joined me on Monday for my penultimate munro. Very generously he provided peppermint tea and fruit cake (I provided map and compass for my part); and even more generously he served a fine dram of Glen Moray as celebration at the summit.
Words (and spelling) by Colin Cowie