THE CUILLIN RIDGE

 

 
                      “In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks”—-John Muir

Stats- our hike today was 10.8 miles with 880’ up and 986’ up. The weather was spectacular as were the views. Perhaps the best day yet!

We are in the taxi and on the road by 8:02 am, having gulped down our breakfast that was finally served at 7:50 instead of 7:30 as planned. In thirty more minutes we are walking, entering the immense property called Strathaird, comprising over 15,000 acres that was acquired by the John Muir Trust in 1994 from musician Ian Anderson, the frontman for Jethro Tull. John Muir, the famous naturalist, was born in Scotland in 1838 and moved to America at the age of eleven.    

The property stretches from Kilamarie north to Sligachan, following the Sligachin River. The views begin as amazing, looking up at the soaring Cuillin Ridge, and get better as the day progresses.    





   
There is a breeze most of the day, almost windy at times. Periodically it settles to a calm stillness for just a few minutes. The path is not easy on the feet. The consistency is loose rocks and rounded gravel mixed with jagged stone. It moves easily under your feet and requires constant vigilance to avoid slipping or sliding.






 

All day we walk close to the base of the Cuillin Ridge. Here is what our Mac’s app says about  Cuillin Ridge:
The ridge is an attraction for climbers and mountaineers from all over the world with 12 kilometres of uninterrupted ridgeline, to traverse it is a right of passage for many adventurers. The scramble includes 3000 metres of ascent, 18 peaks and 12 Munroes - it is not for the faint-hearted and requires extremely good levels of fitness as well as mountaineering skills. 

Note from Terry- A Munro is any peak in Scotland above 3000’ elevation. “Peak Bagging” is a common sport here just like bagging 14ers is common in Colorado. 12 kilometers of ridge line is 7.5 miles!






                                                         Lunch break!

The scenery is definitely the focus today! The walks progresses quickly and by 1:30 we are at the Sligachan Hotel which is the end of today’s hike. We have a taxi scheduled to pick us up at 5:30 pm (why so late we are uncertain). After a few calling issues, we are able to reach the taxi company to request an earlier pickup. Just time for two beers each and we are picked up at 3 pm. A 30 minute taxi ride on mostly narrow and winding roads before we return to the village of Broadford where we will spend our third and final night. Tomorrow we have a 9:30 taxi shuttle back to the Sligachan Hotel and from there we continue our walk on the Isle of Skye Trail. Tomorrow is forecast for some rain, we shall see what the Scotland weather holds in store for us! All of us have in the backs of our minds our Monday hike….rated extreme with over 4200’ of elevation gain…and about the same down. The weather forecast for that day is not good….

                                     An oar stout that is wintered-over in whiskey barrels…wow!







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