Beinn Eighe 15 June 2007

15 June - another fine day, and a very scenic drive around the coast to Torridon. The "tourist" route up the slopes of Beinn Eighe from the A896 led to some steep and eroded slopes just below the ridge, a difficult and slippery scramble up to the cairn then fantastic views from the summit of Spidean Coire nan Clach (3,188'). The Beinn Eighe ridge in both directions, with the highest peak, Ruadh-stac Mor to the northwest, beyond that to the west Beinn Alligin and Beinn Dearg, with Liathach rearing up to the southwest. An Teallach was visible to the north across Fisherfield Forest. Another stunning summit, just a handful of other walkers on the ridge.

An Teallach 14 June 2007 - at last!

14 June - I flew to Scotland for a couple of days walking, landing in Inverness to clear blue skies. A drive to Dundonnell, amazing clear views of the mountains of the northwest, then I set off up the tourist track S from Dundonnell - up the shoulder of the mountain, following the Allt a' Mhuilinn up the valley, then a steep scramble up the scree slopes to realise a lifetime's ambition - the summit of Bidean a' Ghlas Thuill (3,484')and the ridge of An Teallach lay in front of me across to Sgurr Fiona, with Fisherfield forest to the south, Skye and the Hebrides to the west, and Suilven and Inverpolly to the north. An amazing viewpoint in amazing weather - totally stunning. And I had the summit to myself!

Ben Lomond 14 April 2007

14 April 2007 - I climbed Ben Lomond by the tourist track during a settled spell of weather, fine but muggy. lots of people on the hill. The most southerly Munro, hazy views of high peaks to the north.

Beinn Alligin 24 June 2005

24 June 2006 - a fine day. A rather unusual approach to Beinn Alligin, avoiding the Horns and approaching from the NW up the grassy slopes. Fantastic views from the top, close up of the Horns of Alligin, across Liathach and Torridon, north to Fisherfield forest and An Teallach, and west to Skye. A long descent involved climbing one or two deer fences, no sign of a path! Eventually got down to the road.

Skye May 1987

19 May 1987 - While on Skye for a month during my medical student elective, I spent a lot of time travelling around and walking, mainly observing the wildlife and the mountains. On this day I ascended BLAVEN, my first, and so far only, Cuillin munro. I remember the truly amazing view from the summit - the Black and Red Cuillin stretching away like a map at my feet -and behind me, the west mainland peaks. No photos, as pre-digital days!
I also ascended Cairn Gorm while in Scotland in 1987, but that was assisted by chairlift so it (almost) doesn't count...

Munros - the start

August 1981 - BEN NEVIS by the tourist route was my very first Munro, while on a family holiday, the mist rolled in halfway up....I wasn't even a Munroist then. This picture was taken in June 2006.