Mountain Days and Photo Nights

Blue Bird Day on Cairngorm

January 8, 2026

Runs 9. Vertical 2,702m D: 15km

First slide of the season and a perfect day on the hill. It was a while since I have skied. I only did one very short skin up and down last year. I went with Anne Marie and we met up with Anne. Lots of wonderful powder. Queues not to bad…….felt good.

Checking the boat for snow

January 5, 2026

D3.12km El: 20m T: 45 mins (2hrs 2mins)

We got the ferry over to knoydart to check Maggie and remove the considerable amount of snow from here. Got a ride back in the Bigger Dipper. Great…..steak for tea.

Birthday walk

January 1, 2026

A bit wild. Round the back from Mallaig. New Year fireworks, birthday flowers and breakfast.

D: 2.35km. El: 135m. T: 39mins

Breaking the journey home

December 29, 2025

tags: Benarty Hill

Benarty Hill 356m (sub 2000)

D: 4.53km El: 213m. T: 1hr 7mins

Still far from well after a horrible lurgy I decided to try a wee hill on the way back from Sue and Chris’. I am going to have to put the effort in the get fit again. I have two weeks before my ski trip. A nice wee loop.

Cove Harbour

December 28, 2025

D: 2km. El: 68m. T: 13mins

A charming harbour with a sad history of the fishermen lost at sea in a big storm.

Burgiehill

December 20, 2025

tags: Burgiehill

Burgiehill 254m (sub 2000)

D: 5.10km. El: 88m. T: 1hr 16mins

After having what Joe and I think was Covid I felt well enough for a day out. I had gone down to Cumbria for a flying visit to see the young ones and Rosie in her nativity play. She was a king. Joe and I caught Covid and it was nearly two weeks before I was able to get home. That was 5 days ago.

Today Janet and I went up this wee hill. Which was an odd choice. It had no view and a communication tower on top. We had a good day though and decided to make hills with no view one of Janet’s challenges for her 70th year. she has already been up one recently so with this and 5 others the challenge would be 7.

Other good news my new tent arrived today. Yay.

First Hill for a wee while

November 30, 2025

tags: Carn a’Ghobhair

Carn a Ghobhair 548m (Sub 2000)

D: 11km El: 600m

First hill for a while for me and even longer for Kenny. It was going to be a good day a little weather window. I was slightly surprised when Kenny suggested this hill but also quite pleased as it was a day to do something. We had to have an early start as the days are short. We drove up towards Malaig Bheag and parked the car. It was a reasonable walk in along the circular path and then took a turn off that went round the back of a wee hill and dropped down to the loch. It was fairly frosty so the bog was semi hard this meant that we didn’t sink in as much as we could. We took the direct line up the hill and weaved our way through giant boulders. Eventually reaching flatter ground. Amazing views from the top. Kenny managed with very little moaning although he wasn’t in turn with the hill at all. Think he needs to get out more! It was a longish descent down to the lovely track which contours round back to Malaig Bheag.

We enjoyed the day and came back to cook a roast beef dinner. Lovely. I slightly pulled a we muscle in my calf as am going to rest it for a couple of days. Then I think it will be fine.