Scotland

Day One – Saturday 26th May 2018 Twenty years after bagging my first Munro – the dreary Meall a’ Chrasgaidh – and somehow developing an affinity for the Great Scottish Outdoors, I found myself heading northwards once again. Not this time in the company of my university friends, but instead with a ten-year-old boy in tow, namely my eldest Son, Benjamin. It was half-term holiday, he had just finished SATs, and I was hoping to prise him away from screens for a few days and to pass on some of my latent enthusiasm for the Highlands. ...

I’ve finally gotten round to processing and uploading photos from Paulo’s Last Munro weekend. The weather on Ben More was truly appalling, so the majority of the images were, unsurprisingly, taken within the cosy confines of the Craignure Inn, who gave us a wonderfully warm welcome.

Remind me again why I do this kind of thing in January? Thanks to Alex for the companionship on this greyest of days. Geal Charn (917m) A’Mharconaich (975m) Beinn Udlamain (1011m) Sgairneach Mhor (991m)

Popping my Torridonian cherry on Beinn Alligin. Sgurr Mhor (986m / 3235ft) Tom na Gruagaich (922m / 3025ft)

Two of the hills that rise above Glen Carron. Moruisg (928m / 3045ft) Sgurr nan Ceannaichean (915m / 3002ft)

A superlative day in the hills with Richard, Melanie, Hugh and Harriet. A cloudy start at low heights, but as we ascended higher we broke through a cloud inversion, being presented with stunning blue skies and incredible views across to Ben Nevis and the Carn Mor Dearg arete.

A great day bagging the two Munros that make up Beinn a’Bheithir – Sgorr Dheargh (1024m) and Sgorr Dhonuill (1001m)

The little sibling to Buachaille Etive Mor.

A couple of fine Grahams bagged on a short, steep lunchtime walk. Ben More Coigach (743m) Sgurr an Fhidleir (705m)

Four big ones in the bag, thanks to an overnight stay at Corrour Bothy: Braeriach (1296m) The Devil’s Point (Bod an Deamhain) (1004m) Cairn Toul (1291m) Sgor an Lochain Uaine (1258m) It was at some point on this day that my Nokia 5510, won during last year’s Nokia Game, got wet and died.

On which I bagged the UK’s highest peak, Ben Nevis (1344m), via the curvaceous Carn Mor Dearg arête.

The Foot and Mouth outbreak fortunately did not prevent us from having a fine day bagging Bla Bheinn on the Isle of Skye.

Another great day on snow-kissed hills.

On which we summitted the seventh-highest mountain in Scotland, the 1234m Aonach Beag. Plans to continue across to neighbouring Aonach Mor had to be abandoned due to poor visibility.

A couple of days in the wonderfully remote Fisherfield Forest, staying at the delightful Shenavall Bothy.