Tuesday 25 April 2023 - Craiganour (3) - Schiehallion

Elevenses

On another cold day with occasional flurries, Sue and I were joined by Tove, Richard, Robin and Julie for the short drive through Kinloch Rannoch to the Schiehallion car park.

Pay and display £3, but no need for the overflow car park today, and not too crowded on the hill.

Good visibility found us enjoying the views,  as were ptarmigan and smaller birds, with a bird of prey high overhead assessing his domain.

Elevenses in a sheltered spot, then a rocky plod in a cool breeze to the summit, where Tove celebrated by confirming that this was her 800th Marilyn (hills of relative significance), of which she is very proud. Richard was also very proud, reckoning this to be his fifth Munro summit, whilst Julie and Sue thought this to be their third ascent of Schiehallion and I trumped the lot with my sixth ascent (at least) and Robin admitted to being devoid of records of such inconsequential matters.

On the summit

It was cold on top. I hastened down to wait for the others in a sheltered spot. We reassembled and enjoyed a leisurely lunch before completing this modest 10km walk in around 5 hours.

An excellent walk over familiar ground, and it was good to see that the fine path engineered by the John Muir Trust some years ago is standing up to the heavy use inflicted upon it.

Later - More pictures from today:

Julie and Tove setting off from the car park.

Elevenses (see above as well).

Woolly Fringe Moss

Ascending.

Tove's 800th Marilyn.

On the summit of Schiehallion.

Rock scenery and the view to Rannoch.

Richard, and a vast array of mountains on the clear day.

Descent to a sheltered lunch spot (near our elevenses venue).

10km, 730 metres ascent, taking 4 hours or so.

Then home for more cake...and dinner.

Scotch eggs starter, using black pudding due to a sausage meat delivery failure. Delicious.