View from Gairloch Harbour pier:
Hebridean Whale Cruises rib is a beast boasting two 300bhp engines. Today it would be skippered by my friends Steve and Rosie.
Hebridean Whale Cruises Orca1:
We set off at 9.00 sharp.
Departing Gairloch Harbour:
Not long after leaving the harbour we were accompanied for a short while by around twelve Common Dolphins. Once they lost interest in following the boat, we made our way towards Skye keeping a keen lookout for groups of birds flying above the water which is usually a good indicator of potential cetaceans below.
Below a large group of gannets we located our first of two Minke Whales of the trip. Alas we had just missed it feeding so it did not hang around for long. A few photos follow of our encounter with the Minke Whale.
Minke Whale:
Minke Whale with Skye background:
Minke Whale:
Minke Whale:
Minke Whale:
We then continued on towards Skye and then south towards Rona before heading back towards Gairloch. We must have spent around an hour travelling without encountering any fins however our luck changed on the return as I spotted another Minke Whale and we also spotted some Harbour Porpoise and a White-tailed Eagle.
Once back in Gairloch, on entering my van it was 35C inside. I therefore had a quick drink and set off walking from Gairloch Harbour car park up Sithean Mor, a Sub2000ft Marilyn.
Hill: Sithean Mor
Date: Thursday 8th September 2022
Company: Just myself
Distance: 8.6km, Ascent: 400m
Time: 2Hrs 45Mins
Route:
Please note that there are two hills called Sithean Mor which can be walked from Gairloch. This is not the pleasant walk Sithean Mor which has plane wreckage at the Fairy Pools, this Sithean Mor involves a bit of an assault course to attain the summit.
The initial walk is nice and easy as it follows the Flowerdale Glen track which starts across the road from Gairloch Harbour.
The start of Flowerdale Glen track:
Once on the track follow the signs marked Waterfall Walk.
Follow the Waterfall Walk signs:
An Groban from the Waterfall Walk track:
I did visit the waterfall but wasn't overly impressed. I guess if you haven't seen many waterfalls it is ok but to be honest I have seen dozens of nicer waterfalls.
On reaching the bridge do not follow the track visible in the next photo.
Sithean Mor:
Instead cross the bridge over the Allt a' Ghlinne then walk perhaps 100m on the track heading back towards Gairloch before starting the assault course.
Bridge over the Allt a' Ghlinne:
After crossing an initial section of long grass and high bracken, which is probably full of ticks, you have to make your way up through the initial crags. As of today, there is a useful piece of orienteering tape at the top of the craggy section which can be seen from the bottom. Ascend to the tape taking care when doing so. Also remember that you have to reverse this on the way back.
Awkward initial ascent:
Awkward initial ascent helpfully waymarked with orienteering tape:
Once above the short tricky initial ascent, undertake a rising traverse of Sithean Beag until reaching a six foot deer fence.
Rising traverse of Sithean Beag:
While there is not a proper stile over the fence there is one sturdy post with "steps". Climb over the fence with the help of the steps or just climb the fence itself.
Unusual stile over the six foot deer fence:
The next part of the assault course immediately follows as you have to find your way up the crag.
Steep ascent from the col between Sithean Beag and Sithean Mor:
You can either ascend via a steep grassy line, seen in the photo below, or scramble up via the rocks to the left of the grassy line. Again remember that you need to reverse this on the way back.
My chosen line of ascent:
Looking back to Sithean Beag and beyond to Loch Gairloch:
Once above the crag the going is straight-forward as far as the final rocky outcrop leading to the summit.
Ascending Sithean Mor:
Rocky summit of Sithean Mor ahead:
To ascend to the summit go left to find a rising grassy line which avoids having to put hand to rock.
Approaching the rocky summit:
The assault course and fairly awful terrain are worth it on reaching the summit as it is a pretty-good viewpoint.
Given this hill has not had Marilyn status for long, only just meeting the necessary drop requirements by 80cm, I was surprised to find such a large cairn at the summit.
At the summit of Sithean Mor:
View from the summit of Sithean Mor:
View from the summit of Sithean Mor:
Nice view from the summit of Sithean Mor:
After soaking in the summit views, I reversed the assault course back to the Flowerdale Glen track which I then followed back to my van.
Looking back to Sithean Mor:
An excellent day of two halves, cetaceans and hills
.