My Ramblings

In Brief

Footprints Across Scotland

Why not make a few of your own!

12th and 13th May 2007

A weekend backpack in Assynt to climb the impressive mountain of Suilven.

The quest this weekend was to find some sunshine somewhere in Scotland. As it turned out we got very lucky, I think we were just on the edge of the weather system. Looking out to sea was beautiful sunshine while inland there were clouds and rain showers aplenty. Suilven is an impressive looking mountain in the heart of Sutherlands many small lochs and lochans. I had only viewed it from the road on previous trips up to Assynt and Lochinver. Lochinver was the starting point for a two day circular walk, climbing Suilven on the second day. Lochinver has a small port at the end of the sea front and it was from here that we started the walk. We passed through Culag wood enjoying the wooden sculptures and Teepee along the trail.

Culag Wood

After emerging from the wood it was a few km down the road to Inverkirkcaig passing some nice stoney beaches on the way.

The beach at Inverkirkaig

From Inverkirkcaig we followed the river Inver inland stopping for a look at the falls of Kirkcaig.

Falls of kirkcaig

Further on we circumnavigated Fionn loch till we found a reasonable place to put up the tents. We enjoyed some good views of the surrounding hills as the sun went down and one or two rainbows appeared.

Rainbow over Suilven

Sun down across Fionn Loch

Next day we followed the loch shore then headed up to the foot of a very steep path onto Suilven. An hour's climb saw us on the top in time to greet some very pleasant afternoon sunshine.

Suilven's summit ridge

We descended on the opposite side of Suilven and headed back down to Lochiver. We heard plenty of Cuckoo's around LochInver and for a change actually saw a few of them. After leaving Lochinver in sunshine and a barmy 12 degrees we set off home and within ten miles the temperature had dropped to 8 degrees and it was raining. As we were approaching Ullapool we slowed down as we noticed a couple of hitchhikers just as a guy on the other side did the same. It turned out to be a German couple Gert and Emma who we had given a lift into Ullapool on our way up on Saturday. They we off to Lochinver so opted to go with the other guy who was heading that way saving us doing a U turn.

Suilven

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