TGO Challenge 04/05/26

Suardalan Bothy to Barrisdale

The weather was hard to read in the morning, there was some cloud lurking about the tops and the sun threatened to break through once but there was a definite feeling of rain.

Leaving the bothy

I had planned to climb a couple of hills today but I just didn't feel like it so headed back to the track that would take me over to Kinloch Hourn.

Bleak pass through the hills

The wind was generally light but in exposed places it felt cold and I was happy with my decision as it is a very nice route along what was the old military road, used now to service the power lines from/to Skye by suitably rugged tracked vehicles.

A glimpse of Loch Hourn 

I did consider climbing another hill, on an out and back basis, but it really needed me to leave the tent etc near the bottom. There were two snags to that; no possible camping spots and; if I put the tent up I wouldn't have any poles to walk with.

Down to Kinloch Hourn 

There was some light rain blowing in as well so I kept going over another Bealach and down some very steep sections of track to Kinloch Hourn where the café was open.

The start of the path to Kinloch Hourn 

A pot of tea, a bowl of really nice soup and a discussion with a Lincolnshire lorry driver (Reform supporter) before escaping to walk what is probably my favourite path.

The path

There are a few trees along the way 

The footpath goes along the side of Loch Hourn occasionally sweeping up and down the hillside to miss impassable bits of coastline. The views are always amazing even when visibility isn't good. Tonic for the soul.

Descending to Barrisdale 

The path joins the only road on this side of the Knoydart Peninsula, about a mile long between Barrisdale and a slipway at the headland. Hardly worth having a car you would think but there are at least three.

Barrisdale camp site

I had met a few Cape Wrath Trail Walkers along the way and I thought Barrisdale would be crowded but there were only three tents (including mine) and space for several more people in the bothy.

The only snag now is that I wasn't expecting to be here until tomorrow. I'll have to see what the weather does and decide what to do in the morning. I have a bed booked at Inverie bunkhouse,the other side of the hill, but not until Wednesday, the night after tomorrow.

It's not difficult to find something to look at

I removed about ten ticks from my legs when I got into the tent tonight, unusual, they don't normally like me.