October Walk

After a still dawn, the wind picked up into the northwest promising a day of sunshine and wintery showers, so we walked up the steep face of Druim na Gearr Leacainn at the back of Ormsaigbeg, disturbing nothing but a few sheep. The air was crisp and wonderfully clear, offering us views of well over 25 miles in all directions.

From the summit of the ridge we looked southeast down a monochrome Sound of Mull. At left is the tip of Auliston Point on Drimnin, the rounded height of Ben Talla lies in the distance at centre, and Bloody Bay enjoys a back-lit shower of rain at right. A sea eagle, his white rump clearly visible as he was well below us, came from Maol Buidhe on our right and drifted slowly across the mouth of Kilchoan Bay in the direction of MacLean's Nose.

To north and east the hills of Skye and Knoydart carried the first dusting of snow, with the forecast promising more tonight.

This is a wonderful time of year for walking, not only because the views are so spectacular, but also because the bracken has died back and progress is much easier; and, with visitors inexplicably scarce, we have the hills to ourselves. The Diary risks boring its readers by repeating that this is one of the best times of year in this part of Scotland, particularly for those who enjoy exploring its wild places.

As we descended we watched the 11.45am ferry depart for Tobermory, with MacLean's Nose at left, the entrance to Loch Sunart behind and, just visible at top right, the mouth of Loch Teacuis. At the end of the month, with the Scottish and English school holidays at an end, the ferry will revert to its winter timetable and the village will go into hibernation.

A map is here.