Hills: Ben Meabost
Date: Friday 28th December 2018
Company: Just myself
Distance: c.5km, Ascent: 380m
Time: 2Hrs 15Mins


Prior to attending the Moray Mountaineering Club's New Year meet in Kintail, I decided to head across to Skye for a few days. As is often the case on Skye, on awaking this morning it was raining and the cloud was down fairly low. The weather was however set to improve later in the morning but leaving insufficient time to ascend anything substantial e.g. something on the Cuillin ridge. I therefore opted to ascend one of my seven remaining unclimbed Sub2000ft Marilyns on the island.

I have wanted to ascend Ben Meabost, above Elgol, for a number of years but had just never got round to it. I decided to remedy that today. I parked in the small parking area at the start of the track which leads to Camasunary.

Click here to see a map of the route undertaken

I followed the short track for several hundred metres until reaching a gate in the fence running alongside.

Setting off along the track which leads to Camasunary:


Once through the gate I just headed up, which is generally a good plan when wanting to get to the top of a hill .

Looking down towards Kirkibost during initial ascent:


It was great to see the Cuillin ridge come into view but alas it was capped in cloud. Would it clear as forecast?

The Cuillin ridge capped in cloud and Bla Bheinn:


During the ascent I admired Bla Bheinn's South Ridge. It looks a really nice route up the hill.

Bla Bheinn's South Ridge:


Once above a short band of rock I progressed over numerous slabs and then short grass towards the summit.

Ascending Ben Meabost via numerous slabs:


Looking towards the summit:


Ben Meabost is a fairly good viewpoint albeit not quite as good as nearby Sgurr na Stri which I really must ascend again on a better day.

Looking back towards Bla Bheinn, Beinn na Cro and the Beinn na Caillich group above Broadford:


Moody skies:


On reaching the summit I stopped to take a few pics and posted one up to Facebook and Twitter on finding I had 4G. Never get a signal down in Elgol.

View towards the Cuillin Ridge from the summit of Ben Meabost:


On returning from the summit the cloud started to disperse providing better and better views of the Cuillin ridge. I returned to the van via roughly the same route.

The Cuillin Ridge:


The Cuillin Ridge:


The Cuillin Ridge and Bla Bheinn panorama:


After the walk I visited Elgol for a short time before returning to Broadford. During the drive back I had to stop at Loch Cille Chroisd to take a photo of the wonderful reflections.

Reflections at Loch Cille Chroisd:


An enjoyable short walk providing great views with minimal effort.