Hill: Beinn Chreagach (Waternish, Isle of Skye)
Date: Friday 7th September 2012
Company: Just myself
I drove to Waternish this morning to ascend Beinn Chreagach.
As soon as I got out of the car I was set upon by hundreds of midge. In the minute or so it took to get my midge net out of the rucksack, and over my head, I had already sustained enough bites to resemble a case of measles.
I decided to extend this walk by also ascending the Marilyn-top, Beinn na Boineide.
Click here to see a map of the route undertaken
Midge attack:
The initial track was really-good, but it only lasted a couple of hundred metres.
Track from B886:
Beyond the track, the underfoot conditions were dire – knee deep grass/heather and much wetness. As well as the awful underfoot conditions, there were also a couple of barbed-wire fences to climb over.
Ascending Sron nan Aighean:
Once I got beyond Sron nan Aighean, the going wasn’t quite so bad but was still far from pleasant.
Looking back:
It didn’t take too long to reach the summit of Beinn na Boineide. I wonder how often this summit is visited? Probably, not that often.
Looking towards Beinn Chreagach from trig point on Beinn na Boineide:
From Beinn na Boineide, I made my way towards Beinn Creagach trying to lose as little height as possible.
Heading for Beinn Chreagach:
On reaching the top between Beinn Chreagach and Beinn na Boineide, I stopped to take a couple of photos. There are several cairns along this route.
Beinn Chreagach from top between Beinn Chreagach and Beinn na Boineide:
Looking back to Beinn na Boineide from top:
I was pleased to eventually reach Beinn Chreagach. However, there was no way that I was going to reverse the route that I had just walked.
Loch Bay from summit of Beinn Chreagach:
Macleod’s Tables from summit of Beinn Chreagach:
Trotternish from summit of Beinn Chreagach:
Instead of going back the same way, I decided to drop down to the B886, hoping that the underfoot conditions would be better. They weren’t!
Was great to reach the road, despite having several kilometres to walk back along it.
During the walk back along the road, I had a brief stop at the Fairy Bridge.
Fairy bridge:
Sign at Fairy Bridge:
On getting back to the car, I had a quick look at the map to look at options for an easier, nicer Marilyn. I decided to head for Sithean Bhealaich Chumhaing.
Hill: Sithean Bhealaich Chumhaing (Isle of Skye)
Date: Friday 7th September 2012
Company: Just myself
For Sithean Bhealaich Chumhaing, I parked just off the A855 for a direct ascent of the hill. The weather was now improving significantly
.
Click here to see a map of the route undertaken
From the car park, I climbed over a gate to avoid having to climb over a barbed-wire fence.
Looking back to parking area on A855:
The underfoot conditions were really good – reasonably dry, short grass.
View towards the Black Cuillin and Portree:
It was nice to see part of the Trotternish Ridge.
South section of Trotternish Ridge:
The Storr (zoom):
During the ascent, there was one barbed-wire fence to climb over. Once beyond the fence, I just headed-up towards the summit.
Pleasant ascent up Sithean Bhealaich Chumhaing:
Looking towards the summit of Sithean Bhealaich Chumhaing:
Portree:
It was great to reach the cliff-edge. This mountain has great views!
View towards the Red and Black Cuillin and Ben Tianavaig:
Was good to see Ben Tianavaig again, a really good Sub2000ft Marilyn.
Ben Tianavaig (zoom):
Looking towards the summit of Sithean Bhealaich Chumhaing:
Crags near summit:
I spent around 15 minutes at the summit, just enjoying the views.
View from summit of Sithean Bhealaich Chumhaing:
View from summit of Sithean Bhealaich Chumhaing:
Dun Caan on Raasay (zoom) from summit of Sithean Bhealaich Chumhaing:
Looking towards the Storr from the summit of Sithean Bhealaich Chumhaing:
From the summit, I returned to the car via the same route.
Sithean Bhealaich Chumhaing is a superb hill but I can’t say the same for Beinn Chreagach
.