Today we wanted to climb
Stac Pollaidh. The summit is at just 612 m, which is not very high even
for Scottish mountains but the terrain is very rugged up there with
many pinnacles and vertical drops.
When we were almost there Dagmar found out that she had forgotten
her jacket at the B&B. So we had to drive back again, but when we
approached the second time the clouds at least had unveiled the top.
first try
back again
The midges attacked us
fiercely when we pulled on our boots and so we started the climb
immediately to escape these little devils.
The higher we climbed the more spectacular became the views over the Assynt landscape.
Suilven, Canisp and Cul Mor
Soon we reached the saddle between the eastern and western summit.
Up there exists a somewhat confusing maze of tracks and we were not
always sure which one to take. When the wind refreshed once more and
dark clouds appeared we were glad to find the descent route just before
the western summit.
high above Loch Lurgainn
on the ridge
dark clouds shorten our rest
the steep descent
By now it had started to rain and
the wind beat the drops right in our face - it almost felt like hail.
But soon it was over again and we arrived safely back at the car.
we were there
From the road to Lochinver the mountain looks completely different.
Stac Pollaidh from the northwest
At the coast near Inverkirkaig we could spot some seals, this time a good deal nearer.
After a brief stop at the
Assynt Visitor Centre in
Lochinver we continued to Achmelvich - one of the many magnificent
beaches along the west coast with white sands and azure waters.
2-legged...
... and 4-legged beach guests
At the Stoer
Head Lighthouse the wind almost blew us from the cliffs. So we just made some pictures and escaped back into the car.
Stoer Lighthouse
breaking waves
On the way back to Ullapool we stopped for dinner at the Lochinver Larder to sample the famous pies. We had a delicious Savoury Lamb Pie and an equally excellent Venison
& Cranberry Pie.
At Loch Assynt we jumped out of the car to shoot a picture of the ruins
of Ardvreck Castle before driving the last stretch home in the pouring
rain.
