GOLDEN DAY ON BEINN SGRITHEALL

Ian on the 907m top of Beinn Sgritheall, Loch Hourn and Rum to the left

Loch Hourn & the village of Arnisdale

 

The final pull onto the summit ridge, Kintail mountains beyond

Grand views of The Cuillin

 

Wonderful ridge walking with sea and loch views to die for

Nearing the summit

The Isles of Rum & Skye from the summit with clear views of The Cuillin

Ian a happy chappy

 

Summit views to the Hebrides

And a fabulous sunset over Eigg to round off a wonderful day

There is a magical connection between the mountains and the sea, the NW Highlands has this in abundance. From Ardnamurchan to Cape Wrath lie some of the most beautiful mountain and seascapes in Europe and some of my favourite places to wander. For over a week the best of the weather has been in this part of the country, the hills in the east having had low cloud and rainy spells brought on from the Easterly winds. Today was forecast good sunny spells in the north and west so Ian and I decided to head over and climb Beinn Sgritheall which soars  steeply above Loch Hourn. The 3 hour drive was compensated with stunning views when we drove out of the clag and into clear skies through Glen Shiel. It was a late-ish 10.30am start but this Munro isn't a big day out and no long walk in, just steep straight from the sea level start from the tiny hamlet of Arnisdale on Loch Hourn. Those sea, loch and mountain views are with you all day and it is shear pleasure. After the final steep pull of 250m to the 906m top there is the most delightful ridge walk imaginable to the main summit. All the way along are views over to Barrisdale, Loch Hourn and the Hebridean sea. We saw a golden eagle soaring away toward Knoydart and Fieldfare darting around the summit ridge. Ian and I lingered on the summit savouring the fine view of a very clear Cuillin Ridge, Knyodart and Kintail, taking and many photos! The sun was soon starting to dip over the Isle of Eigg as we tore ourselves away and headed down the west ridge. The final hour of the descent and we were treated to a beautiful sunset. Even the 3km walk back along the road was magical, topped off with the final embers of the sunset, bats above our heads and a stag peering out of the trees at us from a couple of metres away. Not a bad day!