Final Climb of Year Ends With Stunning Bla Bheinn, Isle of Skye

Written by Mark Vogan on November 15, 2017 in Autumn 2017, Scottish Mountains, Summer 2017, United Kingdom & Ireland with 0 Comments

With Ben Macdui, Braeriach, Aonach Mor, Carn Mor Dearg, Ben Nevis and another 10 munros including the UK’s top 6 highest ticked off the list last year, 2017 had a lot to live up to. It’s certainly been a great year for me in the Highlands . Like 2016, another 15 summits were achieved including another 3 in beautiful Torridon in April and May, Ben Hope (the most northerly) in June, Aonach Eagach in July and An Teallach in September.

To end another great year, there was probably no better place to be than the Isle of Skye. Bla Bheinn, like Liathach and An Teallach is considered one of the finest munros with outstanding views.

Saturday 4 November 2017

Route

I departed the house at around 1.50am and headed the familiar M80 route coming off at Stirling Craigforth and onto the A84 through Doune, Callander, Strathyre, Lochearnhead and joining the A82 at Crainlarich. That was me on the A82 all the way to Invergarry. At Invergarry I turned off the A82 and onto the scenic A87 west through Glen Shiel and Kintail towards Kyle of Lochalsh and eventually Skye.

Credit: Mark Vogan

Credit: Mark Vogan

Crossing the Skye Bridge

Credit: Mark Vogan

Hello Skye! Not much to see at 6am in November

Credit: Mark Vogan

I arrived at the car park just outside the village of Torrin at around 6.35am. Because it was still dark and put the head down till there was enough daylight at around 7.15am.

Weather

Weather conditions went from showery with some heavy bursts on the road and on arrival to decent early morning sunshine. Through the morning I was greeted by several heavy passing showery which packed rain and hail as well as gusty winds.

Once half way up and exposed to the south, heavy showers brought rain, hail and eventually sleet and snow. Winds were steady and gusty nearer the top.