Monday, January 31, 2011

Ben Wyvis 29th January 2011


Cornice on Ben Wyvis, 29th January 2011.

Having previously climbed Ben Wyvis on a horrible day with no visibility, I'd always wanted to return and do the mountain justice. Although 29th January 2011 wasn't perfect weatherwise, a walk over Ben Wyvis and the tops revealed what a massive, sprawling mountain this is.

A lot of work has been done on the path, making it a pleasure to walk and giving swift access to the mountain. The steep ridge to An Cabar is a stone stairway to gain the summit plateau, where some easy walking beckons.

On this visit, we took our time to enjoy all the tops on the mountain seeing literally another side to it, with the cliffs on the Eastern flanks hidden by the normally benign appearance of Ben Wyvis from the West.

If transport could be arranged, a vehicle at Loch Glass would make the perfect thhrough walk. The return to Garbat which we faced however, provided an exciting descent with ice axes assisting a glissade off the hill.

A most enjoyable walk completed in just under seven hours.


Ben Wyvis from the East.


Fiaclach and Meall nan Braden Leethan, Ben Wyvis.


Tom a' Choinnich, Ben Wyvis.


View from An t Socach, Ben Wyvis.


An Cabar, Ben Wyvis.


Stairway on Ben Wyvis.

Loch Treig from Beinn Teallach 30th January 2011


Loch Treig from Beinn Teallach 30th January 2011.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Loch Ness 30th January 2011


Loch Ness, 30th January 2011.


Falls of Foyers, Loch Ness.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Cruising on Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal


Caley Marina, Inverness.

If you can't view Loch Ness from the mountain tops, then the next best place is from a Cabin Cruiser on the Loch itself. We enjoyed a charter in June 2010 from the excellent Caley Marina.

After professional tuition we were ready to take on the various locks on the Canal and bound in no time for Loch Ness. In spite of an afternoon start, we made good time through the Canal and along Loch Ness to berth for the night at Fort Augustus.

A memorable experience in more ways than one, but that's a story for another day!



Locks on the Caledonian Canal.


Cruising on Loch Ness.


Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness.


Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness.


Caley Cruisers.


Fort Augustus.