Skye Weekend Meet, Torrin Bunkhouse
We set off with for our weekend on Skye at the Torrin Bunkhouse with a forecast for rain and high winds on our minds. Heavy rain when we were driving through Glen Shiel dispelled any optimism that the forecast was wrong. And if we needed any further confirmation, a cryptic message from Steve, who was on one of the new Grahams, Beinn a” Chuirn in Glenelg, simply read “Bloody horrible!!!”
That evening, plans for Saturday were quickly amended.
A group of six decided on a low level walk circumnavigating Beinn na Cro. George writes - With high winds and rain on the menu, Emma, Jan, Charlotte, Tim (and Beinn), Craig and I set off from the bunkhouse on a low level walk. From the accommodation we ventured North through Srath Beag, with Beinn na Cro and Beinn Dearg Mhòr on either flank. Despite the walk being low level, the substantial bog fest, gusting wind and heavy rain ensured an adequate challenge. We stopped for a short break just north east of Beinn na Cro. It was here the sun made a brief appearance, creating a double rainbow as we looked out toward Alt an t-Sithein. Continuing on, we met the main road and before long, completely unintentionally (*cough), found ourselves in the bar of the Broadford Hotel. A fitting end to a wet and windy walk!
Michael stayed by the coast “Saturday saw me exploring the Skye Trail, first towards Suishnish, beautiful but very wild weather, then towards Elgol, more sheltered but muddy.” Marion, Alan and Peter went to Keppich clearance village. Peter writes - after a diversion to Elgol to wait out the torrential rain, set off from the Blaven car park on a WalkHighlands route to Keppock clearance village, running south from the car park parallel to the road. The path, stony at first and boggy later, was mostly awful, and the remains of the village scant, but we were lucky to enjoy a beautiful sunny spell for our lunch. We took the relatively easy option of returning by the road.
Arthur, Richard and Sharan set off with the intention of exploring the archeology of the Ruby an Dunain peninsula, south of Glenbrittle. Arthur comments - somewhere about Sligachan the plan changed and we went for coffee, hot chocolate and croissants in the Skye Candle Company visitor centre to wait out the squalls. Seduced by a blink of sun, we set off up Ben Tianavaig, which I imagine would be an nice North-South traverse with great views over to Raasay and the Cuillins if you were not focussed on staying upright and trying not to be blown into the sea.
Steve also bravely poked his head above 300m to climb the two Marilyns close to the bunkhouse - Beinn Measbost and Beinn nan Carn.
We had a good sociable evening in the bunkhouse with good conversations and monopoly and crosswords masterminded by Emma C.
The weather on Sunday started better.
George writes - Sunday morning was bright, reasonably calm and there was very little cloud coverage… However, that was due to change drastically come the afternoon. Given the winds were coming from the South west, Jan, Emma and I thought it would be rude not to take advantage of the potential shelter offered by attempting the Munro, Bla Bheinn from the East. We arrived at the car park around 8.30am and set off. It remained calm at low level on the path. A brief detour on the path toward the Southern Top meant we had to re descend and locate the correct path. However, the views over the Red Cuillins while making our way back down were truly stunning.
On beginning the real ascent (up the correct path this time) there were a number strong gusty periods that hinted at what it may be like closer to the summit, along with the cloud coverage that had arrived swiftly and loomed eerily over the mountain. Nearing the summit approach, the sentence “let’s batten down the hatches” was uttered, and we took the extreme measure of putting our hoods up. It began to snow around 800m, while the wind remained unexpectedly calm. We completed the final effort and arrived at the cairn on the Northern Top. Despite there being no summit views, the quiet winter wonderland above 800m was something special in itself. We didn’t hang around long at the top, making the sensible decision to head back, given the forecast for the afternoon. We met with Michael, Alan, Tim and Emma for lunch/coffee in Broadford. A great day on a wonderful hill. And Emma comments - We took advantage of much better weather than forecast. Blà Bheinn's contours were kind, seemingly shielding us from the worst of the wind. It got a bit snowy with poor visibility up high, so a bit of care and attention was needed. What we didn't get in views, was made up for with proper mountain atmosphere.
Spurred on by the deceptive sunny start, Marion and Peter set off up Beinn na Cro at the head of the loch. Peter writes- Another terrible path, this time boggy then stony, and we were less than halfway up when the serious rain started and we aborted. It was dry when we got to Broadford, so we took a good path along the west side of the bay past the pier to Rubh' an Eireannaich, or Irishman's point, returning to the car just as the heavens opened again.
Steve, Richard, Sharan and Arthur decided to go for Ben Aslak, another of the recently created Grahams. Like everyone else we were deceived by the fine weather that started the day. As we approached the Bealach na Cruinn-leum our surprisingly craggy hill became shrouded in cloud with only glimpses of blue from the summit.
On Sunday Michael went with Alan exploring the coastal scenery, “impressive!” he comments “Can anyone explain how the strange 'honeycomb' effect in the rock is formed?”
Taking part: Steve, Emma, Jan, Marion, Peter, Richard, Charlotte, Arthur, Tim, Alan, George, Michael, Sharan and prospective members Emma C. and Craig (both of whom have subsequently joined the club. Welcome to both.)
Words and Photos: George, Emma, Michael, Peter, Alan, Steve and Arthur