Iain and I drove round to Strontian and beyond on a fine morning, parking near the bridge over the Galmadale River. The ascent of Beinn na Cille started steeply via the edge of a forest then some uncomfortably steep rock bands.
There were lots of orchids again and during the day we observed the following flowers in addition to most of those mentioned in the last two entries:
Foxglove
Silvered
Red clover
Pyramidal bugle
Northern knotgrass
Various berries (fruits not flowers)
Devil's bit scabious
Roseroot
Yellow mountain saxifrage
English stonecrop
Cotton grasses, sedges and mosses
Around 1pm a short shower confirmed that the steady increase in cloud wasn't an illusion, but the day remained largely dry and the local summits stayed free of cloud.
Lunch was taken on Fuar Beinn, sheltering from a cool breeze behind the summit cairn. Ptarmigan in winter plumage were seen at the broad col before the long ascent of Creach Beinn, on which summit we lingered before diminishing views before heading on to Maol Odhar and a flock of at least twenty golden plover.
After the lumpy ascent, the undulating descent over Meall nan Each on cropped grass (there were a few sheep here) was a delight. We made good speed and got back to the car in light rain at 5.30 after 17 km with 1500 metres ascent in 7 hours.
It was an easy drive back along some interesting single track roads to another convivial evening with fine food at Borrodale House.
Next Day
Today's route:
Next Day
Today's route:
No comments:
Post a Comment