Ben Vorlich & Stuc a Chroin

 

Although I've been up Ben Vorlich many times over the years, I haven't gone on to the enjoyable scramble up Stuc a Chroin since July 1996! I remember that day clearly, as only a few days later I drove down to Stranraer to get the ferry over the Irish Sea to get married! This time with my older son, and Andy from work we took the usual route up from beautiful Ardvorlich and up the track to Ben Vorlich. The sudden explosion of a view as you reach the trig-point on this ascent is always a thrill and a delight. 

Trudging down into the bealach between the two Munros seemed to take ages, and lose a huge amount of height - however we were rewarded with a terrific ascent of the 2nd Munro. A path appears to veer to the left of the ridge, but we followed the book's advice and went right at the top of the boulder field, where the scratchy path led us over rocks, and along grassy ledges all the way to the top, While the summit of Vorlich was well populated, Stuc a Chroin - just that little bit further from the car - was deserted!

The traverse path around Ben Vorlich to get home was slow, boggy and long. Nevertheless a terrific hill day. It will also be remembered as the day that we started very late from Perth because of blocked drains... but that is another pungent story!

Sgurr a'Ghreadaidh & Sgurr a'Mhadaidh

Although high gusting winds meant that an attempt on the Inn Pinn was impossible, it was nevertheless fantastic to up in the Black Cuillin of Skye again. Three of us had booked a guide and gone to the island to try and climb some Munros, and the mountains there never disappoint! I've climbed these two before, unlike the others in the group for whom these were new. In fact this was my son's first trip to the Cuillin, and it was great ti be with him as he took his hill adventures to a whole new level!

Up through An Dorus

Sgorr nam Fiannaidh

The Peak of the Fingalean Warriors (no less), Sgorr nam Fiannaidh forms one end of the fearsome Aonach Eagach ridge, on the north side of Glencoe. We weren't up for attempting the ridge today, but after dropping our elder son off by the beehive cairn (he was doing Buchaille Etive Baeg), we had a great walk up Fiannaidh.

Starting from the path up to the Pap of Glencoe, from the road past the Clachaig Inn, we forked right away from the Pap and up to the Munro. The path was slippery, scree-ridden and in places a river - yet it took us all the way to one of the most magnificent viewpoints I have ever stood on.

Glencoe in the sunshine- just marvellous!