16-18/06/23 Weekend Meet: SMC’s Naismith hut, Elphin - sun, Corbetts and Fionas.

Always a popular meet, the Naismith Hut and it’s grand location didn’t disappoint our members who made full use of the weather.

The Naismith Hut, NC 21603 11803, in a superb setting, with Suilven, NC 15968 18071, on the horizon.

First up on Saturday 17/06/23, a group of seven, AS, GG, MM, GM, HP, PF & MMcE, decided to climb Quinag, starting at the carpark, NC 23231 27400. A very hot day, lessened by the refreshing sea breeze. Pic shows Quinag, as viewed from the SE with its triple tops; Spidean Coinich, NC 20609 27695, left of centre, Sail Ghorm, NC 19846 30396, centre in far distance and Sail Gharbh, NC 20932 29222, right of centre.

Heading up the ESE shoulder of Spidean Coinich.

Approaching the first top, Spidean Coinich.

From the top of Spidean Coinnich we can see Sail Ghorm in the far distance just left of upper centre and Sail Garbh upper centre right.

Further on is a view SE to Spidean Coinich, top left.

Coastguard Sikorsky chopper on exercises below the southern shoulder of Sail Garbh.

Looking to the SSW and Suilven.

Some Sea Pink nestling in the rocks.

Looking to the SE a fine view of Glas Bheinn, NC 25477 26527.

A welcome rest for the group on top of the ‘mid point’, NC 20092 28980.

Eventually they get to the second top, Sail Ghorm,and can look back SE to Sail Gharbh, centre left and Spidean Coinich in centre of pic.

Having re-traced the last one and a half km they headed east up the incline to reach Sail Gharbh’s trig point. Pic show view to the SW with Suilven top left.

The long walk back SE to the start point.

Sunday 18/06/23 provided a solo trip to the SE for MMCE, climbing the Corbett Carn Chuinneag, NH 48357 83333. There was along drive on mostly single track road, but the delight of Glen Calvie was worth the effort. Pic shows the Start of track up Glen Calvie.

The cycle up the track was fairly easy, but warm. However the start of the stalkers path up Carn Chuinneag, meant that the bike had to be stashed in favour of an easier walk.

In the company of a male Golden Ringed Dragonfly.

View from shoulder of Carn Chuinneag looking west down Glen Diebidale.

On the subsidiary summit, NH 47504 83405, with actual summit trig point a further 1km to the east, which was easily reached.

And of course there is always company on the way, a still partly white Ptarmigan. Moreover a fine day with a 360 degree view stretching from east to west coasts!

Also on Sunday 18/06/23, HP headed off to do Suilven, NC 15868 18137, from the west via the path cutting along the fiver Kirkaig.

A Slow Worm on the path.

Mighty Suilven reveals itself.

Stac Polaidh, NC 10690 10601, to the south.

Approaching Bealach Mor with Caisteal Liath, NC 15328 18405, to the NW.

…and looking now from near the top of Caistal Liath looking back SE to Meall Meadhonach, NC 16444 17834.

Both tops now in view…along with HP.

A view to the NE of Quinag, NC 20951 29171, to the NNE, the scene of the previous day’s adventures.

On the return a final classic shot of Suilven taken from its SW flanks.

Finally on Sunday 18/06/23, AS & GG visited the remote Fiona Sabhal Beag, NC 37299 42914, Pic shows the southern flank of Meall Horn, NC 35253 44949, looking to the north, and an old bridge, on route east to Sabhal Beag.

From the top of Sabhal Beag, looking west; on the left, Ben Stack, NC 26997 42232, and on the right, Arkle, NC 30271 46200.

…and in the NW; left centre, Meall Horn and in the distant centre, Foinaven, NC 31520 50732.

Lastly, on Monday 19/06/23, whilst driving home MMcE decided on a detour, to another awkward to get to Corbett, Ben Rinnes, NJ 25506 35451, the Tinto of Strathspey! A long drive for a short time on the hill, but enjoyable. Pic shows the start of the substantial track leading to the top.

…and well made it was in places!

The view looking south from the trip point…the refuse bin bears witness to the popularity of this hill.