August 2022 Activity: Highlands, Islands, Central and Borders!

There was a broad level of activity from the FVMC members and friends during the month of August, spanning the Borders to the Highlands with an island thrown in for good measure!

First up on 01/08 JB, with family and friends climb Beinn Challuim, NN 38679 32234.

They experience a grand view from the top – not!

However it starts to clear on their way down.

Revealing more of Glendochart from the lower slopes of Beinn Challuim.

The following day 02/08 saw DMcC atop Ben Chonzie, NN 77328 30867. Pic shows him at the top with the Loch Turret Reservoir to the SE.

A week later on 08/08, PB started another epic 34 hours trip leaving home @ 11.00, returning at 21:00 on 09/08. Having stayed the evening at Ratagan YH, the following day he drove to Killilan in Glen Elchaig, then cycled 8 miles to Iron Lodge, from where he climbed Aonach Buidhe, NH 05764 32460, one of the more remote Corbetts. Weather improved as day progressed. On the return he left Killilan at 16.45 and arrived back home @ 21.00. Pic shows Iron Lodge, looking SE from the track.

Looking back S down path that stretches up An Crom Alt.

Summit selfie.

His trusty steed carried him downhill in under 1 hour.

Looking back NE along the track with Loch na Leitreach centre right.

On 09/08, ARob revisited Arran for the first time in a decade. The visit didn’t disappoint, providing great weather and great views. He walked in from Glen Rosa Campsite and climbed Beinn Nuis, NR 95545 39919, Beinn Tarsuinn, NR 95980 41284, Castail Abhail, NR 96799 44294, then cut back to Cìr Mhòr, NR 97281 43125, to access the path back to Glen Rosa. With no climbing partner he took the bypass to the main part of the A'Chir Ridge, NR 96655 42155, reserving it for a later date. A 21km hike and 1400m ascent, in very hot weather. Picture shows Beinn Nuis 792m first hill of the day.

Looking back to Beinn Tarsuinn, 828m from the summit of Cir Mhor, 799m. Getting Warm now.

Looking North along the Ridge from Beinn Nuis - Beinn Tarsuinn, Cil Mhor (part hidden) and the distinctive peak of Caisteal Abhainn 859m.

Goatfell from the A'Chir Ridge.

A'Chir Ridge. Good Scramble.

On 10/08 AS & GG went down to the Borders and climbed three Donalds, Stob Law, NT 23008 33277, Glenrath Heights, NT 24177 32287 and Dun Rig, NT 25363 31569. Conditions were fine up high, not too hot, not too cold, not too windy. Pic is a look back from their easy angled descent back into Manor Valley, a trail only spoiled by some shoulder high bracken near a burn.

On 18/08 the first of two evening walks by the FVMC ladies on local high-spots. The first involved an evening wander in the woods in the Carron Valley to climb Meikle Bin, NS 66720 82179. Pic shows view to the N whilst approaching summit.

CS, Harry The Dog, MMcL & MMcE are happy at the top.

The Carron Valley Reservoir from the trig point looking NE.

The second of their evening walks took place on 25/08, this time a circuit of North Third Reservoir, NS 75700 88968, by Lewis Hill. Pic shows the crags of Lewis Hill, NS 76073 88811.

Views over to Stuc a Chroin and Ben Vorlich in the NW.

Harry hides.

…but not for long!

A better view of the reservoir.

The view from the top looking east down Forth Valley.