Knoydart Easter 2024 Day 4

 2nd April

The weather stayed good, a few gusts overnight but the rain mostly kept away. Some interesting people at the bothy/campsite.

Looking back to Barrisdale 

The walk back to Kinloch Hourn was as delightful, and tough, as ever. Only a few spits of rain.

Redundant gate

Amazing place

Just the 22 miles of single track road to negotiate, all part of the experience.

Road? climbing up from Kinloch Hourn 

The weather got worse as I went east and by the time I reached Inverness it was chucking it down.

A fantastic little trip. Looking forward to the next one already.

You can click on any picture to enlarge it 

Knoydart Easter 2024 Day 3

 1st April

A strong easterly wind picked up overnight, blowing straight down the glen. It was rather like sleeping in a wind tunnel 

Clouds building over the hills

I had thought about walking the high ridge over Beinn Bhuide but by the time I reached the pass at Mam Meadail the wind was very strong and discretion being the better part of valour I headed down Gleann Medail with thoughts of lunch in Inverie and no regrets.

Gleann Meadail 

Completely different weather at the bottom of the glen, sheltered from the wind and the clouds stayed over the easterly hills.

Allt Gleann Meadail

Into Inverie and The Old Forge, bank holiday Monday, very expensive and a long wait for food.

The café 

There is however an excellent little cafe just down the road. Great food, good value and used by the local people.

A local

Walked over the Mam Barrisdale in the afternoon.

Spring had arrived in Inverie 

Even up the hill a bit

The weather stayed good up through Gleann and Dubh-Locain.

View east from Mam Barrisdale 

I met a cyclist carrying his bike up from Barrisdale, I suppose some people can get pleasure from anything.

First glimpse of Loch Hourn

Camped at Barrisdale again, at least I have a shorter walk out tomorrow.

18 miles, 1400m ascent.

Knoydart Easter 2024. Day 2

 31st March

Cold but dry with little wind as I set off on the wrong track from Barridale! Soon corrected by crossing the river, I was going to get wet feet today anyway.

River Barrisdale 

Up Glen Barrisdale to the north ridge of Slat Bheinn.

Slat Bheinn on the right 

A steep and rocky climb to a glorious viewpoint at the top.

View to the next top from Slat Bheinn 

 Finding the way down through the rocks was nearly slower than going up, the area is not called "The rough bounds of Knoydart" for nothing.

Find you way down through that lot!

I hadn't intended to climb any Munro's on this trip but Sgurr a' Choire-bheithe was in the way so up to 3000ft I had to go, very steep and rocky as well with some small snow patches.

Views from Sgurr a' Choire-bheithe 

I was treated to the sight of three Golden Eagles flying overhead, presumably an adult pair and last year's offspring.

I did point my phone in the general direction and got a nice picture of the clouds.

The dark spot is a Golden Eagle 🦅

Nice clouds but no Eagles 

The descent to Mam Unndulain was even more awkward than the last one.

Another rocky descent 

Down to the River Carnach to find a dry bit before the boggy ground at Carnach.

Sgurr na Ciche 

A beautiful evening until the sun vanished behind the hills.

10 miles, 1300 meters very steep ascent.

Knoydart. Easter 2024. Day 1

 Saturday 30/03/24

A good weather forecast for a few days at Easter tempted me over to the west coast, so after the indoor model flying session on Saturday morning I headed off.

A view west from the road

100 miles later, including the last 22 on a deteriorating single track road I was at Kinloch Hourn in the late afternoon sunshine

Looking east up Loch Hourn

It was a glorious walk to Barrisdale on the path that swoops up and down the hills beside Inner Loch Hourn.

Loch Hourn 

Arrived at Barrisdale as the sun set, just in time to get the tent up as darkness fell.

7 miles, 650 meters ascent