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Skye Meet 27-29 May PDF Print E-mail
Meets Reports - Meets reports 2011
Written by Stewart Herbert   
Wednesday, 22 June 2011 20:51
The weather was forecast wet and windy, you have to live in hope, some day you may go there and see the Cuillins and perhaps climb on them, join the queue for Cioch Direct, it is featured in "Classic Rock" and is the Mecca of Coire Lagan.

Saturday was blowing a gale and 5 of us set off for the Quiraings, Harmony, Paula, Sue, John, and myself, we visited Kilt Rock on the way there, parked at the pass above Brogaig and set off along the path below the cliffs, and wandered beneath the various buttresses, climbed up to The Table, had lunch, then carried on to the coll. It was blowing a gale and as we would be walking into it , going over the top was considered too risky ; we might have to report that Sue had 'Gone with the wind' and so it was decided to return by the lower path back to the pass.

The A team of Phil and Will went off to the Cuillins to do desperate things and returned safely.

Sunday there was a reluctance to start, in the party something was mentioned about reading the Sunday newspapers, Paula mentioned Macleod`s Maidens and it turned out an excellent choice for the day, even the A team condescended to join us.

The walk starts at Orbost and goes in a southward direction towards Idrigill, which may have been an hamlet before the clearances but now nothing more than a pile of stones, carries on to Idrigill Point and Macleod's Maidens, there was much water about, the rain had stopped except for the odd heavy shower, the first burn was quite difficult to cross. When we reached the headland, we saw the Maidens which are sea stacks and very impressive, the sea crashing on the rocks below was sending spray high in the air, this was landing on the grass like soap bubbles. I am not a sea person perhaps it is because of the sailors I have met who seem to be a cross between Captain Birds Eye and Walter Mitty. I did enjoy the walk(about 11 miles ) and the views and would do it again.

I cannot remember how many places were booked, I understand there were a few "absent friends" as you might say, I know it`s a long way, however the accommodation is so good it takes the sting out of the journey, also the company was good, and they enjoyed the wine John and I brought.
The last day, Monday, dawned clear and sunny at last. We lost the horrendous wind of Saturday and Sunday so it seemed a good chance to catch the views before we headed home, knowing we would not be back till after 10 p.m. The second Corbet beckoned..Glamaig, next to the main road so no long walk in, just straight up to the col, a short scramble up some slightly dubious rock (Will collected quite a sizable souvenir piece which would have damaged a head below; no-one in sight at all fortunately) and then on to the summit with spectacular views of the Black and Red Cuillin, islands all round and sea in all directions. A lovely ridge brought us back to see the car far below so we just headed straight down steepish grassy slopes, avoiding a large black bull. Excellent even if there was no actual climbing. Enough to warrant a stop at the Good Food place in Tyndrum. Will quoted aptly that we had seen "a black crown in a sea of green and blue jewels".