Alpine bliss...

Jeez louise what weather we are having! Abi and I decided to have a hill day and wanted to stay fairly local so went to the Achnashellach area. The weather was hot even at 9am when we arrived at the lay-by. 

slog but sunny

the angle eases at last

The start of the walk up Moruisg was a fairly unpleasant steep slog in the relentless heat but as we got higher (well almost the top) there was a slight breeze and it became bearable. We passed various snow patches in vague gully's that we passed.

The top of Moruisg

On top the slog was rewarded with amazing 360 degree views. The Torridon hills to the North looked great, particularly the unusual grey bulk of Beinn Eighe. From this point the walk improved dramatically and we headed SW across a beautiful broad ridge before stopping for lunch looking into the valley's to the SE. 

onward....

looking back to Moruisg

With the heat, being on the high ground and having the odd snow patch to cross it felt very alpine in nature, in fact it made me think that basically I don't really need to go to the alps anymore! I probably don't mean that, as the alps clearly are also amazing, but honestly when the weather is good in Scotland its as beautiful as anywhere in the world.

Our whole route in view from the second top

After lunch we dropped to a adjoining bealach and then climbed to the second peak - Sgurr nan Ceannaichean, a Munro in my book, but now down graded to a Corbet! 

both hills squeezed into shot

From the summit there were even better views of the next group of hills, in fact I think the experience was enhanced because of its 'downgrade' as the other folk we saw all day trailing us didn't 'bother' with this hill, I'm guessing because its not a Munro anymore. So we lingered up here and pretty much had it to ourselves.

An interesting descent led to a river where we stopped and paddled... before the final walk out which trails a river in newly planted native forest (lush). A very varied and interesting walk.