24/06/16 - Beinn Bhuidhe (me)

I'd driven up to Scotland on the previous night for a 6 day trip. I'd stayed in the Abbotsford Hotel, which was becoming the norm and was planning on camping at the Red Squirrel, or possible wild camping in Glen Shiel if the weather looked good - which it didn't...

Today was going to be a relatively easy walk up Beinn Bhuidhe. A more specifically a bike to the base of the mountain and then walk the last bit. 

The day got off to a very bad start when whilst I sat on the toilet I read that the great British public had voted to leave the EU. To be honest, this put me in a fowl mood which affected me the whole day. I wasn't really in the mood for walking. I felt more like rioting. So I binned off the idea of riding the first part of the trek and walked it instead.

It was pleasant weather, but the walk in wasn't particularly spectacular. It weaved along a farm track through a quarry and hydro-electric plant. I seemed to cause a herd of cows some consternation as I passed through, or maybe it was a car which was a bit behind me I'm not sure, but either way, they got pretty excited as I walked through. I just kept thinking how Luca would have coped with it.

Eventually after about 5 miles I came to Inverochoran, passed the house and found a suitable route up the side of the stream. The grass seemed to part slightly where previous feet had trodden and this gave me confidence that at least I wasn't alone in my stupidity.

It was steep and slippery. The weather was drawing in and I put on my jacket and shortly after my trousers. I wondered how much I'd have my waterproofs on this holiday.

On the far side of the stream, an access track was being built pretty high into the mountain. It was quite a nasty scar on it's side. 

Eventually the ground levelled off and I was able to choose the line which I'd got up to gain the short ridge to the top. The weather had cleared and as I walked to the top I had pretty decent views over the surrounding area. But I really wasn't in the mood for them.

I started my descent and opted to descend via the unfinsihed track in the hop that it would cut off some of the farm track which I'd entered on. It was long and dull, but reasonably effective.

By the time I'd got back to the car I'd resolved that I wasn't going to plan on doing all the Munro's any more. Instead, I was going to plan on doing good walks which usually included Munros. This would get rid of the misguided want/need to "tick off" the duller Munros such as this one.

I went to Inverary castle, which was small, but quite spectacular and then drove through the Glen of Orchy, also spectacular and to the Clachaig Inn. Where it started to hurl down.

I went and had steak and chips and then paid for the Red Squirrel and sat in the car waiting to see if it would stop raining so I could put th tent up. I realised that something else I needed to start doing was always make sure that I had hostel accommodation booked, scottish hiking all day and camping at night, doesn't work for me.

I decided I'd drive round the local hostels and see if I could find a space (I'd already tried booking.com and had no joy). The Glencoe ones were full for the night, but Inchree managed to put me up for the night, in the same room as I stayed last time - even the access codes were the same as previous. I booked into the Glencoe Youth Hostel for the following 2 night. Instantly my mood buoyed and I looked forward to the following day.

Munro - Beinn Bhuidhe

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