Beinn Nuis, Beinn Tarsuinn and Beinn a Chliabhain

The Three Beinns of Beinn Nuis, Tarsuinn and Chliabhain form one of the best ridge walks on Arran and one I'm always happy to be working on.  Yesterday Anne and had a great day doing this classic horseshoe. 

Highland cattle enjoying the lush grass in Glen Rosa

We took a leisurely start and enjoyed the sunshine in Glen Rosa. However, it wasn't long before we were climbing up out of the glen alongside the rocky gorge of the Garbh Allt.  Higher up we crossed the river, before beginning the steep climb up the southern ridge of Beinn Nuis.

Views down the ridge towards Brodick and Lamlash Bays

Looking across to Beinn Tarsuinn from Beinn Nuis summit.

From Beinn Nuis, we took a high level stroll amongst magnificent rock architecture to the summit of Beinn Tarsuinn, guarded by the stern face of the Old Man of Tarsuinn, who keeps a look out from close to the summit.

The Old Man of Tarsuinn

From Beinn Tarsuinn, a steep descent and a high pass led us to the final summit of the Three Beinns, the diminutive peak of Beinn a Chliabhain.  This mountain is dwarfed by its neighbours, but the fine crest offers great views of the entire Goatfell range.

The meadow face of Beinn Tarsuinn from Beinn a Chliabhain

A' Chir, Caisteal Abhail and Cir Mhor from Beinn a Chlibhain.

Ben Nevis Weekend

This weekend I was working for Walkabout Scotland in Lochaber, with a guided Ben Nevis day on Saturday, followed by a blissful leg-stretcher in Glen Nevis before heading south on Sunday.

The hoards in the mist on the summit.

There were the usual shenanigans on The Ben,  with poor visibility, jeans and plimsolls, rhinoceros outfits and even a brass band (see BBC report here). If you've not climbed it before and are thinking about it, don't be lured in to a false sense of security by the zillions of under equipped folk that climb it with you.  I'm constantly amazed and relieved that the majority of people make it down tired but happy without calling on the Lochaber MRT volunteers for help. Its a dangerous mountain, and should be treated with respect.

As we descended, the mist lifted and gave us a great view to the south west.

Sunday's walk up Glen Nevis was a stunner.  We started from the lower falls carpark and took the path on the south side of the glen, joining the road for a short section.

Glen Nevis

The highlight of the walk is the lovely Steall Meadow and enormous waterfall that dominates the upper glen beyond the Steall Gorge. 

Entering the Steall Meadow with the main falls beyond.

Knoydart Expedition 2013

I'm fortunate that my work takes me to some fantastic places, and this week was no exception, as I was part of a team supervising a Gold Practice DofE expedition in Knoydart. I've done this route before, in better weather, when the ground was so dry that finding water to drink was tricky.  This time Knoydart was her more typical watery self.

The adventure begins here.... the train from Glenfinnan to Mallaig.

Rough old crossing to Inverie on the Knoydart Peninsula

A mucky morning for some nav practice and a trek through the glens to the northwest

It brightened up for a paradise camp

Bliss....

Passing remote hamlets on the west coast... a landing craft.... why not?

Heading back towards Inverie and a night in Gleann Meadail.

Climbing up through the Glen the next morning.

Scary bridge at the Carnach

Good timing, arriving at Sourlies at low tide and in time for lunch.

Leaving Sourlies as the rain sets in.

I'm in love with the high pass to Glen Dessary.... The "Rough Bounds"

Final day was VERY wet. A soggy climb from up to the pass in to Glenfinnan.