Tim writes:

Shunning plans to tackle hills in the Carn Eighe massif due to the strength and direction of the wind, new member Tim and prospective member Charlotte made the decision to head south from the cottage, hoping that the west side of the Clunie Horseshoe would provide some respite from the weather. With no valleys funneling winds onto the ridges and the wind coming predominantly from behind while on high ground, the decision paid off. We were rewarded for the steep, pathless, tussocky ascent of Mullach Fraoch-choire's north-east ridge with a glorious walk along the  Na Geurdain ridge, over the top of Stob Coire na Cràileig and on to A' Chràileag. With conditions changeable, and the squalls clearly visible as they swept through from the north, the ridge gave ample opportunity to shelter on the lee side of the ridge when the weather struck. The worst of that weather came through on the final climb to the summit of A' Chraileag, and after taking some lunch behind a rock, we made the summit amidst clouds which obligingly cleared and to give a wonderful panorama of the Glen Shiel hills. 

Refusing the temptation to drop down to the Cluanie Inn for a pint, we dropped down the snow and steep ground on the north east of the ridge about half a mile beyond the summit to join the narrow ridge of the top A' Chioch. The end of the ridge was swathed in stormy clouds that were supplemented by wind drifting snow from the higher ridge. To cross the Allt na Ciche towards its headwaters before it swelled to an unfordable torrent We descended to the north into the deep snow that was accumulating in Coire a' Chait. The reward for this was a faint stalkers path, then track, then road down the glen which was filled by hundreds of red deer bellowing their credentials amidst sunshine and showers. The conditions gave Glen Affric the most wonderful array of lighting as if trying to show its autumn colours to the full as a reward for a long arduous and rewarding day out on the hills in brilliant bad weather.