Lochcarron, Scotland. Sat 14 — Sat 21 July 2001
The annual migration
of Meths members to the north of the UK ended in Lochcarron in the North West
Highlands. This mountainous area, chosen by Polevault, is near the watershed at
the head of Glen Cannich, Strathfarrer and Strathconon and is superb for
walking. To the north east of Glen Carron are the Schistose mountains of
Cannich, Affric and Kintail, and to the north-west are the quartzite and
sandstone peaks of Applecross and Torridon.
A magic mix, and all
that was needed was the weather, which, as always, Polevault dutifully
provided. There is some speculation as to how he manages this. There are
rumours of midnight rituals in Polton, involving a state of undress and chanting
in Gaelic, but this has never been confirmed or denied.
Anyway it was to this
superb area that 11 Meths members arrived, pitching up on Saturday 14 July.
George Wallace had already arrived and was away bagging some of his few
remaining munroes.
The serious business
started on Sunday when we set off to climb Fuar Thol (Cold Hollow) rising at
the head of Glen Carron. The local name for this mountain is 'Wellington's
Nose', a reference to the tip of the Mainreachen buttress which can just be
seen over the skyline of the mountain.
We headed up the
stalkers' path from Achnashellach Station following the River Lair up into the
Coire Mainreachen below the stupendous Mainreachen Buttress. We then climbed
steeply up grass and then stones to reach the summit ridge and on to the summit
at 907m. The views from the top were magnificent — we could see the Cuillins of
Skye, the Outer Hebrides, the Torridon mountains and in the far distance the
bulk of Ben Nevis. George then suggested that we descend the north-east ridge
for the return to Achnashellach — this proved to be a bit more awkward than
first thought but not bad enough to merit the prick of the meet award.
On Monday George, Mike
Petzold and Socks set off to climb Liathach (the grey one). Liathach is the
name given to the whole range of eight tops which stretches for almost 8km from
east to west along the north side of Glen Torridon. The highest peaks are
Spidean a’Choire Leith (1,054m) and Mullach an Rathain (1,023m) and in between
the lesser tops including the Am Fasarinen pinnacles. These pinnacles present a
fairly sustained scramble, with a fair amount of exposure on the north side
requiring a good head for heights. There is a bypass path for the faint hearted
on the south side of the ridge.
While the mad three were
tackling Liathach, Polevault led the lesser mortals on a low-level walk to
Coire Mhic Fhearchair on the north side of Ben Eighe. This Corrie is one of the
finest expressions of mountain grandeur in the Highlands. Beyond the loch which
fills the mouth of the corrie, the spectacular triple buttress rises from the
back wall and ranks among the finest climbing corries in Scotland.
On Tuesday after two
fairly heavy days it was decided that a trip to Skye was in order. The purpose
of this was to go and have a look at the Cuillins. Alas the best laid plans of
mice and men gang aft agleigh... As is usual after an extended lunch in Portree
there was not enough time to travel to the Cuillins so it was, after a somewhat
wasted day, that we went back to Lochcarron. There we got quite close to the
Cuillins with a pint of the excellent Black Cuillin Ale in the local hostelry.
Not all of the party
had gone to Skye — Mad Mike had decided that he would climb Ben Liath Mhor (big
grey mountain, 926m). There is not much to report on this, except that he had a
superb day's walking.
George Wallace had by
this time departed to visit his mother who lives in Mallaig. Anyway that was
his excuse and had nothing to with the imminent arrival of Axeman who was due
to pitch up on Wednesday.
On Wednesday Polevault
and Mad Mike went off fishing for the day while Socks led a small party into
the hills behind Lochcarron. A somewhat boggy experience I have been told.
Axeman announced his arrival with the statutory empty cans of McEwan's Export
for all to see in the front window.
Thursday was the day
of the Three Peaks Walk. The mountains we were to climb were Maol Chean-Dearg
(bald red head, 935m), An Ruadh-stac (steep red hill, 892m) and Meall nan
Ceapairean (hill of the bannock, 655m).
The approach to these
mountains starts from Coulags, and the path follows the east side of the
Fionn-abhainn. This path is one of the many rights of way that cross over to
Torridon. The path passes a well-maintained bothy beyond which it passes a
curious forefinger of stone — the Clach nan Confionn — the stone where the
legendary giant Fionn tethered his staghounds while hunting in the glen. Beyond
the stone the path climbs steeply onto a flat saddle between Maol Chean-dearg
and Meall nan Ceapairean.
We tackled Maol
Chean-dearg first, climbing up over a series of steps, then a final climb over
a mixture of sandstone and quartzite boulders to the summit where there were
panoramic views north towards Torridon.
On returning to the
saddle Mad Mike went on alone to climb An Rhuad-stac while the rest of the
party climbed the 60 metres of ascent to the summit of Meall nan Ceapairean.
On returning to
Lochcarron Rhoda, Verena and Gladys prepared an absolutely fabulous dinner of
local roast leg of lamb with all the trimmings washed down with copious
quantities of excellent wine. A good day.
Friday our last day
arrived and by this time most wanted a day of relaxation apart from Ian and
Sadie who toddled off to walk over the Coulin Pass near Achnashellach.
Mad Mike in the meantime
had challenged Polevault to a game of golf over the nine-hole Lochcarron
course. So after hiring clubs we set off for the final challenge. For Mike it
turned out to be a bigger challenge than he expected as arriving on the first
tee and about to tee off discovered that he had been given a left-handed set of
clubs. Socks was dispatched to replace the clubs and the inaugural Meths Open
started. Things went well then cracks appeared in our resolve. Mike stomped off
in disgust, leaving Socks and Polevault who were eventually reduced to a
one-ball twosome. Polevault won the last hole and was duly claimed the victor.
Sadly on Saturday we
had to pack up and head for home. Everybody had a great time, so much so that
we will be returning to the same area next year.
Many thanks to all
those who attended to make it a most enjoyable week and special thanks to
Rhoda, Verena and Gladys for the superb meals they prepared when we were not
eating in the Rockvilla Hotel.
Meet participants
Mr and Mrs Polevault,
Mad Mike and Verena, Petzold, Mike and Gladys Mossford, Socks and Rhoda Leslie,
Ian and Sadie Mason and last but not least George Wallace.
©
WDYFO, 2001