Hills: Cnoc an Ime
Date: Thursday 3rd May 2018
Company: Just myself
Distance: 5.7km Ascent: 340m
Time: 1Hr 50Mins
Around 6.30 in the morning, I heard a strange animal
noise coming from outside the van. I therefore grabbed my camera and
popped-out for a look hoping that it might be otter. I was delighted to find
it was. I took the initial set of photos from near the van then moved twice
in an attempt to get closer to them without disturbing them. They were a
pleasure to watch especially when one caught a fish
.
Otter:
Otter:
Otter:
Otter:
Otter:
Otter:
Otter:
Otter:
Otter:
Otter:
Otter:
Otter:
As
the weather was not great I decided to have a day off hillwalking. Instead I
would drive north to see some more of the island.
However, on passing
a potential starting point for Cnoc and Ime, and given the rain had stopped,
I changed my mind, got suited and booted and commenced my ascent of the
hill.
During the ascent, as in previous days, I could see numerous ticks
sitting atop long blades of grass waiting to latch onto anything brushing
against the grass. I took care to avoid the long grass as much as I could,
used my pole to thrash any long grass in front of me and regularly checked
my clothes for ticks during and after the walk.
My potential starting
point turned out to be great as the track led to just below the summit of
the hill.
Starting point:
The
track was mostly good albeit a bit wet in places but nowhere near as wet as
Evan's Walk the day previous.
Looking towards Cnoc an Ime:
Looking back:
I
can't say that Cnoc an Ime is an interesting hill. Perhaps on a better day
it would be a reasonable viewpoint but no more so than any other high point
on the island. Off all the hills I have done on Jura, I would not rush back
again to do this one.
Following the track towards Cnoc an Ime:
Cnoc an Ime:
I
saw little wildlife on the walk with the exception of a hairy caterpillar.
Having seen otters just a few hours previous I was still on a high from that
sighting.
Loch Braigh a' Choire:
On
reaching the summit I visited the summit stones and a small cairn before
returning back via exactly the same route.