Friday 25^th saw around 30 members arrive at Carn Dearg with tales of roadworks and delays and a long slow journey. Most took around 7 hours to reach Gairloch, unusually long, except those with the foresight to travel a day earlier or from areas other than Glasgow. We were all cheered, however, by a weather forecast suggesting that, while most of the country would have a poor holiday weekend, the NW Highlands was the most likely area to be mainly fine and dry. Conversation soon got to planning epic days and early starts.

Despite being Easter weekend, it was a special opening of the hostel so we had it to ourselves, which always allows a more relaxed atmosphere. It had apparently been recently refurbished and painted and we were generally impressed by the appearance and facilities - except for the marked shortage of showers and toilets!

Saturday 26th dawned with a little cloud but fine views to Torridon. The Corbetts Beinn an Eoin and Baosbheinn were the most popular objectives: Alan, Caroline, Irene, Allison, Janet G and Linda Clarke set off from the Loch Bad na Sgalaig car park with the aim of climbing both but after descending from the first to the Poca Buidhe bothy only the first three decided to continue to Baosbheinn. The re-ascent was slow and the descent very slow, so they reached Loch na h-Oidhche track as darkness was falling and only returned to the hostel around 9.30pm. The other three meanwhile appreciated the long walk out in daylight. A second party comprising Harrold, Connie, Ingrid, Gill and John Maclean and Suzanne climbed Beinn an Eoin by the same route but returned by the retracing their steps: the long walk in and back still made for a late return. Brian, Ruth, Liz, Gill C and Phyllis formed a third party doing the direct out and return route. The weather was mainly good with fairly clear views of other hills.

Elsewhere, Alan and Kate, Ian, Carol and Maddie headed off to Kinlochewe and were slightly disconcerted by the extensive low mist along L Maree. However, this had largely cleared by the time they set off from the Incheril car park to climb Slioch. It was a day of alternating sun and cloud creating changing light and views, but on reaching the summit, reasonable views to Poolewe and Fisherfield were visible. Ian’s announcement that it was 45 years since his last ascent of Slioch made some of the younger members of the party feel very young!

At the other end of the loch, Gordon, Sue, John A, John D and Mary Cox spent a very long day walking from Poolewe via Kernsary to Beinn Lair, returning over Beinn Airigh Charr. Gordon and John D also added a Graham, Meall Mheinnidh, for extra exercise on the return. The Reynolds family also walked in from Poolewe and David and Gavin climbed Beinn Airidh Charr, while Mary explored some of the estate tracks. The McCumesty family cycled to Rubha Reidh lighthouse along the coast road via Melvaig, an entertaining and no doubt exhausting road for two young children. Elsewhere, Jimmy and Ruth S, staying nearby in their caravan, walked the coastal path from S Erradale to Craig YH and back. After some very late returns, only a few could summon the energy or enthusiasm to venture into Gairloch for a meal so, unusually, there was no exodus to a pub on Saturday evening.

Beinn Airigh Charr was the most popular choice on Sunday 27^th. Alan, Kate and Ian departed from Poolewe and followed the standard route. There was some debate about the shortcut omitting Kernsary but it was found to be worthwhile even if the path was indistinct in parts. The weather was fine all day but cloud hung around the summit. Brian, Ruth, Carol, Maddie, Liz and Phyllis set off for Beinn Airigh Charr a little later but followed different estate roads and tracks which resulted in a much later arrival at the summit. (Carol and Maddie opted to stay low level so did not go to the top.) They were rewarded by a clearance in the cloud giving them views towards Fisherfield. Gordon, Sue, Gill C, John A and John D, keen to find Corbetts further afield, drove to Craig ( Achnashellach) and took the track, in worsening weather, to Bealach Bhearnais and climbed Sgurr na Feartaig, returning by same route. The weather was wet and cold all day and plans to include Beinn Tharsuin were abandoned. It was surprising the weather could be so different only a matter of 25 miles from L Maree. Others headed for L Maree hills: Harrold, Janet and Irene climbed Beinn a Chearcaill and Alan Stevens took the path from Slattadale and climbed Meall an Doirein for a fine view over the loch. A few other members, having had an epic walk on Saturday, decided Easter Sunday should be an easy day, the only need for a hill being to roll their Easter eggs.

Monday 28^th was a fine bright morning, typical of the last day of a long weekend. Gordon and Sue, having been partially thwarted the previous day, took in Fionn Bheinn on their return journey while Gill C and John D returned to Achnashellach and did Fuar Tholl. Most others ventured by car towards Rubha Reidh lighthouse, with some coastal walking, and enjoyed very clear views to Skye. Another successful weekend enjoyed by all.

Ian Macnab

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