Footprints Across Scotland

Why not make a few of your own!

18th to 20th April 2015

A wander over the Red & Black Cuillin and points in between, notably Sgurr na Stri and Druim nam Ramh.





Route Map



After a quick snack in the Sligachan hotel I emerged into the bright sunshine to collect my pack from the van and head out into the Cuillin. First on my itinerary was Sgurr Mhari (Mary's Peak) or Glamaig as it more commonly known. After following the main path down Glen Sligachan for a short while I walked alongside the gorge carved out by Allt Daraich and soon made the open hillside.

Glamaig












Glamaig

The way leads toward Druim na Ruaige but I turned into Coire Sgairde across some boggy ground to ford the Allt and pick up a feint path leading to Bealach na Sgairde.

The Beinn Deargs












The Beinn Deargs

It was a steady climb increasing in steepness toward the top. I had decided on this approach so I could drop my pack at the bealach while tackling the final 350m of ascent. The slopes from here are pretty steep and scree covered but one or two grassy rakes helped to gain some firmer footing.

Beinn Dearg Mhor from Glamaig












Beinn Dearg Mhor from Glamaig

Once on the rounded top I had a cereal bar and took a while to soak up the sunshine and far reaching views most notably my route ahead along some of the other hills of the Red Cuillin. After returning to Bealach na Sgairde I was faced with another steep scree ascent but this time fully loaded. There was at least a path of sorts snaking up the slopes and this provided reasonable footing.

Glamaig from Beinn Dearg Mhor












Glamaig from Beinn Dearg Mhor

As I made the ridge I spotted a couple of eagles rising on thermals above Coire nan Laogh, they disappeared from sight for a while then suddenly one came roaring down the ridgeline seemingly heading straight for me. It reduced the angle of its descent but continued its line passing above my head before sailing over toward Glamaig. It was now a pleasant walk over cropped grass and through a maze of well spaced boulders to reach the top of Beinn Dearg Mhor.

Beinn Dearg Mheadhonach from Beinn Dearg












Beinn Dearg Mheadhonach from Beinn Dearg

The good going continued along the ridge line.

Glamaig & Beinn Dearg Mhor












Glamaig & Beinn Dearg Mhor

Dropping to Bealach Mosgaraidh before the final pull onto the back of Beinn Dearg and onto Beinn Dearg Mhaedhonach.

Belig, Garbh Bheinn & Blaven












Belig, Garbh Bheinn & Blaven

I had a bit of a dilemma here in picking out the best route down to Glen Sligachan and my way south. I decided to head along Druin na Ruaige and then drop to the footpath alongside Allt na Measarroch. It was quite rough going down more steep slopes through some taller vegetation. I was relieved to get onto the Glen floor, turning the corner around the impressive Marsco.

Marsco












Marsco

I still had a bit of walking to do before I would reach my intended camp spot. A little after Lochan Dubha at the entrance to Strath na Creitheach and at a path junction I took the more southerly one rising to the bealach north of Sgurr Hain.

Blaven












Blaven

Dusk was now settling in but I was just about able to follow the path contouring the west slopes of Sgurr Hain. The path started a slow descent before I lost it in the gloom but still found my way onto the north west ridge of Sgurr na Stri. Following this I made the top, scouting for camp spots along the way. I managed to squeeze the Trailstar into a gap between rocky outcrops with just enough flat ground for a decent sleeping platform. It was just about dark as I finished unpacking my camp gear and preparing my evening meal. I was up early to catch the sun rise above Blaven and watch the shadows slowly recede from the eastern slopes of the Black Cuillin.

Loch Scavaig & Loch Coruisk at Sunrise












Loch Scavaig & Loch Coruisk at Sunrise

Loch Coruisk from Sgurr na Stri












Loch Coruisk from Sgurr na Stri

Eventually the sun brightened the waters of splendidly situated Loch Coruisk.

Cuillin ridge from Camp on Sgurr na Stri












Cuillin ridge from Camp on Sgurr na Stri

Sgur na Stri surely offers up what must be one of the finest viewpoints in the British Isles, it was a grand way to welcome in the new day and I was in no rush to get moving.

Loch Scavaig & Loch Coruisk












Loch Scavaig & Loch Coruisk

In fact it was after 10 before I was moving off the top and heading back to the bealach north of Sgurr Hain.

Loch Coruisk, Druim nan Ramh right of centre












Loch Coruisk, Druim nan Ramh right of centre

Emerging from a shallow defile in the ridge I caught sight of what looked like a Merlin cruising just a few feet above the ground. From the bealach I headed out along broad ridge line of Druim Hain, fine walking along here over slabby rock.

Marsco & Ruadh Stac












Marsco & Ruadh Stac

I was essentially skirting around Coire Riabhach in order to reach Druim nan Ramh.

Heading for Meall Dearg












Heading for Meall Dearg

I took a short detour to gain the view point from Meal Dearg which over looks the entrance to Harta Corrie.

Cuillin from Meall Dearg












Cuillin from Meall Dearg

Returning to my main objective for the day I crossed Meallan Dearg before dropping a little to some lochans below the craggy east side of Druim nan Ramh.

Northern end of Cuillin ridge












Northern end of Cuillin ridge

It was easy enough weaving a route through the crags while ascending but think things would be more difficult on descent. I was happy to find a number of suitable places to camp around the summit and settled on a pitch near the top. Camp readied I decided to explore the ridge out toward the main Cuillin ridge.

Druim nan Ramh ridge












Druim nan Ramh ridge

I had wondered if it was possible to gain the main ridge along here? The ridge develops into a jumble of rocky masonry in places but nothing too difficult to negotiate. I wandered along as far as a nick in the ridge line just before the rise to Bidein Druim nan Ramh.

Sgurr nan Gillean & Sgurr n h-Uhama












Sgurr nan Gillean & Sgurr n h-Uhama

Dusk was starting to settle in so I decided to head back to camp, any exploration along here would have to wait for another trip when I’m travelling a bit lighter. During the return I studied the craggy slopes for a possible way down into Harta Corrie for the following morning. Back at the tent washed, feed and watered there was a superb sunset to watch for dessert.

Cuillin ridge from Druim nan Ramh












Cuillin ridge from Druim nan Ramh

Up early I again enjoyed the dawning of the new day, plenty of blue sky but a few clouds were brushing the higher tops of the Cuillin.

Sgorr Dubh Beag & Mor from Druim nan Ramh












Sgorr Dubh Beag & Mor from Druim nan Ramh

The morning drew back the veil of shadows from the slopes rising from the shore of Loch Coruisk.

Cuillin from Druim nan Ramh












Cuillin from Druim nan Ramh

Packed and breakfasted I left the top of Druim nan Ramh on a north west heading and located a shallow gully that eased me down the hillside into Harta Corrie.

Heading down to Harta Corrie












Heading down to Harta Corrie

Sgurr na h-Uamha looked rather impressive as I eased my way over sections of rocky floor.

Sgurr na h-Uamha



































Sgurr na h-Uamha

On reaching the river I followed it upstream heading for the waterfall in Lotta Corrie.

Harta Corrie












Harta Corrie

Working around a final bend in the river I started my ascent to Bealach a’ Ghlas-choire initially picking a line toward Sgurr na h-Uamha’s north ridge.

Entering Upper Harta Corrie












Entering Upper Harta Corrie

About halfway up I followed a wide rocky shelf north before deciding to use a gorge as a handrail upward.

Upper Harta Corrie












Upper Harta Corrie

Lota Corrie












Lota Corrie

There was some steep ground to negotiate and some loose rock near the top as I emerged under the nose of Sgurr Beag and the beak of a Golden Eagle. Not wanting to share my company it caught the breeze easily before diving steeply out of sight into An Glas-choire. It was quite windy up here and I donned my wind shirt during my brief visit to the top of Sgurr Beag, a fine viewpoint for the razor edged south east ridge of Sgurr nan Gillean.

Lota Corrie & Sgurr nan Gillean












Lota Corrie & Sgurr nan Gillean

Grey clouds were far more evident now and the wind had quite a chill as I made my way to the foot of the ridge.

Sgurr nan Gillean












Sgurr nan Gillean

As on my previous visit I found the view looking skyward to top of Gillean a little intimidating.

Stairway to the Sky



































Stairway to the Sky

I passed a guide as he was explaining to his client the route up. I sheltered a little further on to prepare. I packed a few things in my lightweight UltraSil Duffle Bag and left my main pack behind. I strayed a little left of the normal ascent line but soon scrambled back on track. After climbing out of Harta corrie with a full pack I now felt I was flying and reached the top in quick time. I noticed some guys working pinnacle ridge as I admired the airy views.

Pinnacle Ridge from Sgurr nan Gillean












Pinnacle Ridge from Sgurr nan Gillean

I didn’t stay too long and headed back down keeping a straighter line this time negotiating one awkward exposed section on my all fours. There had been no sign of the guide since I started my ascent and I wondered if they had aborted their climb. Now all that was left was to follow the ‘tourist route’ back down to Sligachan.

Sgurr nan Gillean












Sgurr nan Gillean

Certainly no walk in the park this though, plenty of down climbing and boulder fields ready to catch out the unwary. Eventually I reached the easier pathways in Coire Riabhach and stopped for a well earned brew.

Glamaig, Beinn Deargs & Marsco












Glamaig, Beinn Deargs & Marsco

The sun was shining across the glen warming the Red Cuillin and the hills of my outward journey. One of the climbers I‘d seen on pinnacle ridge joined me as I prepared to leave, we ended up chatting all the way back to the hotel. He had been descending Pinnicle ridge but was held up by a group coming up. He decided to climb back up and return the way he had come. Back at the van I reflected on a fine few days, again highlighting what an amazing place the Isle of Skye is. Note to self; must return again soon.



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