From Glen Feshie it was less than an hour’s drive down the A9 and over the hill to Kinloch Rannoch where Alison had booked us bunkhouse accommodation at the Outdoor Centre for her Munro completion weekend. I was first to arrive and checked us in with the caretaker, but didn’t have to wait long before various others started arriving from Edinburgh.
Saturday started fairly early as the chosen final hill was a remote one: Beinn Bheoil, on the shoulder of Ben Alder about half way up Loch Ericht. Six of us hardier walkers opted to walk the entire way and set off walking up the track at around 8:30am, initially through forest and later along the loch shore. Superb air clarity made for great views east and north to the adjacent hills, and over Rannoch Moor towards the Glen Lyon and Bridge of Orchy hills. The remaining 19 saved time and effort by cycling as far as the end of the track, which petered out in the bog about 3km short of Benalder Cottage.
Once we’d all convened at the bothy, we ascended together up the reasonable path to Bealach Breabag, then up the ridge to Sron Coire na h-Iolaire and on to the summit of Beinn Bheoil, arriving around 2:30pm. It was great to be there to celebrate with Alison as she completed her ten-year project, and to ensure that CUHWC had a representative. I had the unique honour of being the only person to have accompanied Alison on both her first and her last Munro (and quite a lot in between)!
After some celebratory fizz near the summit, we all made our way back the way we’d come, in smaller groups now so we could travel at our own pace. Keen to get the many miles behind me, I yomped ahead once we reached the track, and reached the road just as the last of the cyclists were loading their car. I was glad to be able to hitch a lift back to the bunkhouse with them rather than waiting with the midges for the other walkers to catch up!
A big day out at around 38km in total! Thankfully the weather was ideal, dry throughout with sunny spells and the cloud staying above the summit of Beinn Bheoil. Once everyone was back at base, we enjoyed a celebratory late-evening meal of chilli and cheesecake together.
On the Sunday, I opted for a short (90-minute) walk up Blath Bhalg, a Graham just east of Pitlochry, before the drive back to Derby.
Full photo album on Google Photos at: https://photos.app.goo.gl/UzzMtxejo6ESSCcS9
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