The first time we climbed Beinn na h-Imeilte, the hill of many streams, in March 2010 (Diary entry here), we didn't make it to the summit - the lying snow didn't make ideal conditions for scrambling up the mountain's slippery slopes. So we tried again, this time in late August.It's a grim-looking hill, with a northeast-facing slope that is almost sheer rock and seems constantly in shadow. Despite this, the approach from the Kilchoan-Sanna road, starting at NM472662, is relatively easy.
We worked our way steadily upwards, following the line of the Ardnamurchan volcano's ring dyke. Along the steadily rising ridge we came across several erratics, boulders moved and dumped by the ice during the last ice age. Why they were left along the ridge-line, balanced on outcrops of bare rock, is a bit of a mystery.
This picture shows the summit cairn, surrounded by heather in flower, with Ben Hiant in the distance. We sat down for a picnic but were immediately attacked by midges. Granted, the day was still, and the sun reluctant to come out, but we do not expect Highland Scotland's favourite insect to operate on the tops of mountains!
The climb, and even the midges, could not detract from the superb views, many shown in recent 'Picture of the Day' entries in The Diary. There are almost vertical views down onto the Sonachan Hotel, and onto the townships of Achosnich and Achnaha, and distant views of the centre of the universe, Portuairk. This picture, with the sky clearing, looks along the ring dyke and across the Minch to Eigg, Muck and Rhum.
We worked our way steadily upwards, following the line of the Ardnamurchan volcano's ring dyke. Along the steadily rising ridge we came across several erratics, boulders moved and dumped by the ice during the last ice age. Why they were left along the ridge-line, balanced on outcrops of bare rock, is a bit of a mystery.
This picture shows the summit cairn, surrounded by heather in flower, with Ben Hiant in the distance. We sat down for a picnic but were immediately attacked by midges. Granted, the day was still, and the sun reluctant to come out, but we do not expect Highland Scotland's favourite insect to operate on the tops of mountains!
The climb, and even the midges, could not detract from the superb views, many shown in recent 'Picture of the Day' entries in The Diary. There are almost vertical views down onto the Sonachan Hotel, and onto the townships of Achosnich and Achnaha, and distant views of the centre of the universe, Portuairk. This picture, with the sky clearing, looks along the ring dyke and across the Minch to Eigg, Muck and Rhum.A map of the area is here.
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