Beinn a'Chlachain

Hill: Beinn a’Chlachain
Date: Tuesday 31st December 2013
Company: Just myself
Distance: 12.2km, Ascent: 630m
Time: 4Hrs 5Mins

On 31st December, I set off nice and early for a visit to Applecross, to ascend Beinn a’Chlachain, before continuing on to spend New Year in Plockton. To get to Applecross, I opted to take the coastal route from Shieldaig. My one and only previous visit to Applecross was in May 2009, when I ascended both Beinn Bhan and Sgurr a’Chaorachain in fantastic weather.

The weather was dry throughout the 4.5 hour drive to Applecross. On arriving at the car park it started to rain and continued to do so throughout most of the walk

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Click here to see a map of the route undertaken

From the car park, I followed the footpath for circa 800m before leaving the path to make my way towards the 402m top.

Start of walk near Cruarg:

During the walk, the views were somewhat disappointing. This hill would be a fantastic viewpoint on a good weather day.

Looking across towards Skye:

I reached the 402m top around 50 minutes after setting off from the car park.

View from large cairn at 402m top:

View from 402m top:

Beinn a’Chlachain from 402m top:

Looking toward Beinn Bhan from the 402m top:

A short distance beyond the 402m top is a steep rocky section that I avoided by heading a short distance North-East.

Looking back at descent from 402m top:

Looking back towards Applecross:

Looking back towards the 402m top:

The walk from the 402m top to the summit took a bit longer than expected.

Beinn Bhan and Sgurr a’Chaorachain:

Looking back:

The final 1km to the summit was spent walking in mist and no views were obtained at the summit

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Trig point in low cloud:

The walk back was also spent mostly in low cloud. The forecast had suggested the weather would improve by lunchtime but it turned out to be a few hours out as the weather did improve around 15:00.

Back to the large 402m cairn:

Choppy sea at Applecross Bay:

During the final descent to the car park, I got fairly close to two stags one of which appeared to have a gammy leg.

Stags near the base of Beinn a’Chlachain:

Stag near the base of Beinn a’Chlachain:

Stags near the base of Beinn a’Chlachain:

Applecross Bay from car park:

After drying myself off back at the car, I drove round to the Applecross Inn for a late-lunch.

Applecross Inn:

The fish and chips in the Applecross Inn was as delicious as ever, albeit the fish was a bit on the small side!

A nice late lunch:

After lunch, I drove to the top of the Bealach na Ba watching the temperature gauge drop as I gained more and more height. It was 0C at the summit, so I took care during the descent as the road was a bit icy.

View from top of Bealach na Ba:

After having a delicious meal in Plockton, courtesy of friends in the Moray Mountaineering Club, we all walked down to the shore for the bells to watch the impressive firework display.

With friends at Plockton shore, just before midnight:

Bonfire (just lit by a rocket):

Plockton New Year Fireworks:

Happy New Year