September in Scotland

Wild camping in Fisherfield, what a view

This September Jim and I went on our annual trip to Scotland seeking classic mountain walks, adventures and good cake.

Our first view of the Fisherfield Munros

Our first stop was Kinlochleven where the Salomon Skyrunning weekend of races would be taking place.  Having previously raced and marshalled on the event, this year we would be spectating and using it as an excuse to get out into the hills, catch up with good friends and feel psyched to get fitter and faster.

On the way up Bidean Nan Bian to cheer the Salomon Skyline racers

By the end of the weekend it was time for us to seek our own solitude in the mountains and with a reasonable forecast we continued to head North towards Torridon and Fisherfield.

We even saw some sun in Kinlochewe!

One of our aims for this holiday was to try out Jim's new Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2 tent (phew, a bit of a mouthful!), and spend some days exploring and wild camping in the Fisherfield, weather permitting.  Having arrived in Kinlochewe we decided to walk from there towards Lochan Fada via Gleann Bianasdail.

Walking alongside Loch Maree, Slioch in the background

A couple of hours later we had passed Slioch and were rewarded with our first views of the Fisherfield wilderness.  I was more than a little bit excited having owned an OS map to the area for nine years but never having been there.  

Filtering water on the walk in

Crossing a river in the Fisherfield wilderness

The beach by Lochan Fada made a beautiful lunch spot and from here we found a great little path that took us all the way up to Bealach Odhar following this small gorgelike stream of Allt na Creige Glaise.  Rather than drop down the other side to the tiny pool we set up camp here having found a water source and a flattish piece of ground.

Jim surveying his new Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2 tent pitched where it's designed to be, in the wild

As the weather predicted, all good things come to an end and having watched it cloud over the evening before we awoke to rain and light winds.  Erring on the side of caution we changed our plan. This area of Scotland commits you to at least one river crossing even in dry weather spells and the prospect of getting out after a couple of rainy days wasn't appealing.

On Beinn Tarsuinn in the mizzle (misty drizzle)

Not wanting to leave without bagging at least one Munro, we headed for Beinn Tarsuinn.  It was short blast up following a vague path that seemed to regularly disappear.  From here we followed our journey back down the the col and out to Lochan Fada.

We completed our journey in Dynafit trail running shoes, fast and light!

To add more interest to our journey we headed out along Gleann na Muice along fabulous singletrack and 4x4 tracks to Kinlochewe.  (one to return on by mountain bike when I'm a bit more skilled)

The Whistle Stop Cafe in Kinlochewe is a must for food and drink and we refuelled here before heading south to the Cairngorms in search of better weather.

Scots Pine trees in the Cairngorms

Unfortunately for us the weather remained variable.  I completed an ambition to run the Cairngorm 4000ers but in 50mph winds and heavy rain, which was resilience building (needless to say I don't have any photos).  And we both went on some local walks in the forest to various cafes.

Walking in Glenmore avoiding the 60mph winds in the mountains

Our last stop in Aviemore before heading home was to Backcountry Scotland.  This was a chance to say a big thank you to someone for having the nerve to import such unique and incredible equipment from around the world; most notably our Hyperlite Mountain Gear Tent (handmade in Maine, USA), but also an opportunity to chat gear, expeditions, and look at the best packrafts and bike packing kit on the market.  Needless to say we were both rather excited.

Winning at life on holiday

All too soon it was time to return home having had some adventures but more importantly psyched for many more in the future.