An Teallach retreat

We started visiting Scotland in 1986 - a week in Dunoon during Autumn, a week in Spring at Glenelg:

 the following Spring at Gairloch and then Summer 1987 in Ullapool:

 Each trip went further north, yet seemed to reveal endless landscapes northwards to be explored. I'll find some photos from those days and put them on here, with more details about those holidays, but for now, here's a quick description of our first attempt on a hill.

With the help of the wonderful Companion Guide to the West Highlands of Scotland, by WH Murray (still the only book you need for general exploration, and so beautifully written), we chose to try An Teallach from Dundonnell.

My dad in this photo is younger than I am now. I'm wearing Hawkins boots (wonderful, no longer in business), cheap gaiters from a shop in Keswick, corduroy trousers, cotton shirt (I'm not sure if I was just being stupid here or if there just weren't outdoor shops and magazines telling me about base layers), jumper knitted by my mum, Parks dept. issue jacket and a £1 hat. Spot the map case, later lost in the Fannichs - I was slowly getting better prepared and equipped. The walk up was straightforward until we hit mist and snow. Then we were in a different world - white everywhere, no visible path, just occasional rocks looming out of the snow. We continued as far as we dared, but visibility got so bad that we weren't sure we would find our way back if we went any further. So back we went.

We were disappointed at not reaching the top, so after a quick meal back at Gairloch we walked up up Glen Grudie, trying to reach Coire Mhic Fhearchair. This was a great walk but this time, darkness turned us back before we could reach our goal.

Little Loch Broom and Dundonnell behind us

 An Teallach from the Destitution Road

On the way up to Gairich



The summit












Peaks of Knoydart and Kintail













Loch Quoich




All muscle
Both

Scotland July 2011

A 3 day raid to try and nab our 100th Munro. We managed to leave home at 6am, stopped at Johnstonebridge and Spean Bridge for quick drinks, arriving at the start of the walk for Gairich at about 1.30.
We parked just before the dam at Loch Quoich. The path is easy to follow all the way up. Some scrambling near the top but nothing to worry about. Great views drawing you into Knoydart. The easiest place to eat on our way to Lochcarron seemed to be the Cluanie Inn - good food, friendly service and we've never been turned away, whatever time we appeared. It didn't disappoint but the midges on the car park were ferocious. On to the Lochcarron Hotel - £40 a night B and B. Good bar, good breakfast, rooms a little past their best with quite a bit of hair in the bath! The next day we tried Maol Chinn-dearg, as it was the only hill out of the clouds. A great path starts from Coulags, crosses the river, passes a great bothy. After this and the legendary finger-shape rock we forked left and then right at the top of the col. Easy up to this point, from then on there was a bit of wading through a boulder field, nothing too bad though. Should have been a great view but we couldn't see much!
Quite a bit of rain on the way back, plenty of midges by the car park too. We drove over the Bealach Na Ba for tea - the best fish and chips in the world at the glorious Applecross Inn. Those two hills were our 99th and 100th Munros. On the way back home we stopped at Perth - a quick walk up Kinnouill Hill before eating where Cafe Roma once was - new owners just as friendly but the food isn't as good. Need to find a new place to eat in Perth soon!