Hill: Beinn Tharsuinn
Date: Friday 3rd February 2012
Company: Just myself
Time: 4Hrs 30Mins
Dog friendly: Yes

The forecast for today looked excellent. I therefore set off from home just before 4.00am to arrive at the parking area for Beinn Tharsuinn around 6.15.

Click here to see a map of the route undertaken

By 6.30, I was off walking, using my headtorch to see where I was going. I wanted to get reasonably high-up to watch the sunrise.

First light:


The walk-in was fairly slow as I stopped numerous times to take photos.

Mars above Torr Leathann and Beinn Tharsuinn:


There was enough light, about an hour before sunrise, to allow me to switch off the headtorch.

One hour before sunrise:


The pre-sunrise colours were spectacular this morning. I particularly enjoyed the view towards the Cairngorms.

Cairngorms zoom: 


Cairngorms zoom:


Torr Leathann and Beinn Tharsuinn:


On reaching the end of the track, I made my way up Torr Leathann, a Fiona Top of Beinn Tharsuinn.

Fifteen minutes before sunrise:


Cromarty Firth zoom:


Frozen glen:


Dornoch Firth:


I managed to reach a height of 450m as the sun began to appear.

Sunrise:


Sunrise:


Sunrise:


Sunrise:


I was a bit sun-blind for a few minutes after taking the above photos (I know your not supposed to look into the sun). On reaching the top of Torr Leathann, I was grinning like a Cheshire Cat. Days like this are what hillwalking is all about.

Summit of Torr Leathann (Fiona Top):


The air clarity today was superb.

Ben Wyvis from Torr Leathann:


Beinn Tharsuinn from Torr Leathann:


Ben Kilbreck:


From Torr Leathann I made my way across to Beinn Tharsuinn, walking on neve as much as possible.

Long shadows:
 

I was really impressed with the views from the summit. I was surprised and delighted to see across to Assynt. Great seeing the West Coast from an East-Coast hill.

Summit of Beinn Tharsuinn:


Ben Wyvis:


View from summit of Beinn Tharsuinn:


Cul Mor zoom:


Suilven and Canisp:


Far North:


View from summit of Beinn Tharsuinn:


From the summit of Beinn Tharsuinn, I made my descent back to the end of the track and then followed the track back out to the car.

Descent from Beinn Tharsuinn:


Looking back to Torr Leathann and Beinn Tharsuinn:


I was back to the car by 11.00 and therefore needed a hill dessert. I crossed the road and ascended Cnoc an t-Sabhail (Sub 2000ft Marilyn). A wonderful day .