SKYE MUNROS

 

Heading up to Sgurr na Banachdich 

I've been guiding on Skye over the Bank Holiday weekend. 3 days on some of the easier Cuillin Munros that require no scrambling skills. Unfortunately our days out started just has the fine spell of glorious weather in the NW came to an end. Quite abruptly too! 

SATURDAY 30 APRIL 

Bruach na Frithe.

Allan and I drove up from Strathspey on Friday afternoon. It was a glorious blue skies day and no wind. Beautiful and warm. It was the last day of fine weather, Skye and the west coast had been basking in superb conditions for over 10 days in the big high pressure system that plonked itself over Scotland.

On Skye, Friday evening. Allan's accommodation 

There were 12 folk who were on Skye for the long weekend to climb various Munros. Only 3 hardy souls were up for a tough day in wind and rain and low cloud on day 1. We set off from Sligachan to Bruach na Frithe, one of the easiest summits on the Cuillin ridge. This Munro has stunning views from the top. The rain started shortly after setting foot on the hill. One and a half hours later we had a chat and asked the guys if they still wanted to tustle with a 50mph wind and lashing rain on a cloud engulfed summit. They didn't hesitate to turn tail and head back down 

Looks OK at the start

Our last view of any hills, 30 minutes later in cloud

We were back at Sligachan by lunchtime. The rain bouncing off the road and winds had picked up. Back at the campsite I was in my tent which was swaying around in 30mph + winds at sea-level. When I say campsite I mean campervan compound which is what a traditional camp site for tents are nowadays. When was the last time you saw more tents or any tents in one of these places? Not my idea of camping whatsoever. At least there's a shower and toilet. The constant noise of campervans and cars you can keep. At least there was a loch view, of course the tent pitches don't get thr best views,  these are reserved for campervans. 

SUNDAY 1 MAY

Sgurr na Banachdich 

By early hours on Sunday the low pressure, Atlantic frontal system had passed through. It was a calm  and dry day. We even has the promise of some early sun.

The best view at campsite,  the campervans are behind me!

Sgurr na Banachdich is possibly the most easy of the Skye Munros. No hands are required! It's also a short day. We set off up Glen Brittle and no campervans trying to park up at the Fairy Pools so we were through the road quickly.

Looking up to Banachdich 

Not the Fairy Pools

It was a warm morning and everyone was down to baselayers at 10am. There was some sunny spells but the cloud obscured the sun. At least we had a great summit view today.

The Cuillin ridge 

Team heading up in morning sun

We had a good view of the Southern half of the Cuillin ridge but most of the northern end was cloud filled. This is often the case. Lots of micro climates on Skye and along the mountains.

The top

Loch Couruisk

North end from the top

The cloud lifted slightly as we made our way down. It was warm. The campervans had trundled into Glen Brittle and the Fairy Pools carparks were heaving on our way back to the Sligachan.

Descent with Rum in the background 

Late afternoon sun at Sligachan 

Typical!

Marsco

Sunset

MONDAY 2 MAY

Bla Bheinn 

Weather looked even more promising with bright sun by midday. A good day for Bla Bheinn. This is the isolated Munro off the main Cuillin ridge. It offers stunning views from the top. We set off in anticipation and the skies by 0930 looking good!

Bla Bheinn 

We took a liesurley walk up, giving time for the tops to completely clear. There were views, but not towards the main Cuillin ridge. We sat and waited for 30 mins. But only cloud.

Summit of Bla Bheinn 

Improving 

Clach Glass

We started descending and of course it got brighter and more blue skies. Did those views open  up on top? Probably. 

Happy Munroists

Descent in sun

Warm and sunny

Shall we go back up?

On Skye its typical to get beautiful afternoon sunshine after a dull, cloudy morning. We drove back over the Skye bridge, the Cuillin were clear, Glen Shiel hills stunning. There's always next time.

Red Cuillin 

Another sunny afternoon 

This weekend I was guiding for Wayymark Outdoors. There were 12 folk all doing various Munro summits with 4 guides on tap. A big well done to Dougie who completed all his Munros at the weekend. He finished in style with a big day on Sgurr nan Eag, Sgurr Dubh Mor and his final Munro, Sgurr Alastair. I had the pleasure to guide Dougie on various Munros over the last couple of years. Astonishingly he only begun hillwalking three and a half years ago. Brilliant.  He's now contemplating walking the Corbett's!