Weekend Meet to Drinishader Bunkhouse, Harris
The club’s trip to Harris saw a great display of the Northern Lights; super beaches; a visit to St. Kilda and Boreay sea stacks; an early morning run and cycling (guess who); Lisa being moved along by a film crew (!); several ascents of the Harris Corbett (Clisham), the five Grahams on Harris and South Uist and multiple Marilyns, HuMPs and SIBs - including Steve’s 900th Marilyn and 1000th HuMP. (Ed. note - Marilyns have 150m. prominence: HuMPs have 100m. prominence; and SIBs are islands with 30m prominence or 30 hectares in size….Who knew?)
Most of the group decided to make a longer trip than the weekend. Steve took the ferry from Oban to Barra and worked his way up the islands picking off Marilyns en route. Plans for Steve, John and Arthur to meet up for Beinn Mhor and Hecla fell through, although Steve and John managed to read the weather and had good days on the grahams early in the week and at the end of the week respectively. Arthur and Steve had a very soggy day on Li a’Tuath and Li a’Deas, which are, apparently, superb viewpoints. Waterlogged or not, Li a’Deas was Steve’s 1000th HuMP. After catching the early ferry from Berneray to Leverburgh, Steve and Arthur made their way up Greabhal via Maodal, where there is a memorial to crashed Shackleton. Steve writes about his adventures -
I began my journey to the meet on Sunday 5th, crossing first from Oban to Barra and then on to South Uist via Eriskay. Monday saw me tackle three of the four Marilyn’s north of Lochboisdale - a tough day on rough pathless hills involving almost 1,000m of ascent and with a long walk out over very wet ground. On Tuesday, with a fine forecast, I repeated a round of Hecla, Beinn Choradail and Beinn Mhor that I undertook in very poor weather and was this time rewarded with stunning views of what are a very fine group of hills. With a wet day forecast for Wednesday I managed a quick ascent of Airneabhal - the fourth hill north of Lochboisdale - from Loch Aineort before the rain started. Meeting Arthur on North Uist on the Thursday, we tackled Lì a Tuath and Lì a Deas in very poor weather, the latter being my 1,000th Scottish HuMP . Crossing to Harris on Friday brought a positive change on the weather and ascents of Greabhal and Ceapabhal. It was a particularly memorable day as it brought my 900th Marilyn and stunning views, particularly from the latter hill which included the sight of whales playing in the Sound of Taransay below us. It was an equally memorable night with a spectalar Aurora Borealis.
Peter and Marion spent the week in Lewis before making their way to Drinishader. Peter writes -
Peter and Marion, after a week of coastal walking in Lewis and an interesting walk at the Ardvourlie Community Woodland on the way south, decided that a hill or two was in order for the meet weekend; and what better hill than Clisham, which we'd failed on, by the horseshoe route from the north, at our previous attempt in 2018. This time we opted for the direct 'normal' route from the main road a little north of Tarbert, and felt in good form as we strode(?) over the moor and up the messily eroded and then rocky path to the awkward summit, on a clear morning with a fresh breeze. We spotted Arthur and Jan coming up the NW ridge on the horseshoe route before heading back down, in a strengthening wind which made the first part of the descent quite challenging. Arthur and Jan overtook us as we reached easier ground, having decided to forgo the return leg of the horseshoe route in the hope of a lift back to their car at the start, which we were happy to provide. An excellent day, and a strong sense of honour satisfied after our previous failure.
Lisa stayed in her van on Thursday. She recounts - while making my porridge I was approached by producer of new Gaelic film. “The Island”. He asked if I'd be there all day? They wanted that spot to film by the river! While eating my porridge we agreed that I would re park 100m east..! 'Kieran' expressed profuse thanks....
So eventually I set off for Tiorga Mor. I wish someone had told me I could have cycled the roughly tarred road 3kms to the dam! From dam I headed up SE ridge. Early clear skies vanished into clag at 400m. Rocky slabs damp and greasy. By the time I reached the trig point it was drizzling and the wind was unpleasantly strong. Visibility was poor and the descent route to the NE looked bouldery. After some navigational uncertainty I eventually descended below the clag to see the cliffs of Sron Uladail across the valley..! I had almost reached Tiorga Beag! From there it was a fairly easy descent to Loch Aiseabhat and then by track and road back to my starting point. Thankfully the film crew had disappeared!
On Saturday Lisa did Oireabhal from high point of B887 near a sheep pen. A lovely clear, breezy day! John also headed for the Grahams on Saturday - “I did Oireabhal and Tiorga Mhor just off the Hushinish Road. I bumped into Anne at the start of the walk. I then cycled to the dam and hiked the two Grahams in an anti clockwise direction in warm sunshine.”
There was a wide range of activity on Sunday. John took the SeaHarris trip to Hirta. I then climbed Conachair (430m) next to the massive sea cliffs. Cloud had lowered by then. I used the MOD masts as marker posts for the route back down to the deserted village. Trip back was by Boreray to view the towering sea stacks teaming with puffins and gannets.
Peter - On Sunday we went to Ceapabhal at Toe Head, which seemed hard work for its 368 metres, perhaps owing to our exertions of the day before, and on Monday we made an ascent of Ben Drinishader (86m), just up the road from the hostel, before heading back for the ferry from Stornoway.
Ewen - I checked out several beaches with a view to a swim, but the surf was too high so all I managed were several good walks on beaches.
Lisa -Sunday saw restful short walks from our bunkhouse. Northwards to Point 56 above Caolas-sgeire- bhuidhe. Later Beinn Drinisiader from road SE of bunkhouse .
Jan - On Sunday, I had an early morning run along part of the Hebridean way before cycling and walking along the Beautiful west coast beaches. Cycled to Scalpay on Monday morning before catching the afternoon ferry. A most memorable first visit to Harris highlighted by my first viewing of the Northern Lights on Friday night.
Steve and Arthur - went up Roineabhal (460m) near Leverburgh, which was the site of the Lingerbay super quarry application. The granite of the summit plateau is anorthosite - similar to the rocks found in the mountains of the moon and containing titanium. On the descent we met Anne on her way up. We also found a golden plover’s nest with four eggs. A visit to St Clements church at Rodel with its excellent carvings rounded the trip off.
A last word from Steve - “On Monday I ended up tackling Beinn Sgorabhaig on Scalpaidh. I used the southern path to the lighthouse when I visited some years ago. So a HuMP and SIB to add to my weeks endeavours. See you all again soon I hope.”
Taking Part: Steve, Peter, Marion, Lisa, Ewen, Jan, John, Anne and Arthur
Words and Photos: Steve, Peter, Lisa, John, Jan, Ewen and Arthur
