Hill: Meall na Suiramach
Type: Sub2k
Height: 543m
The weather had been
persistent rain this morning but was due to become sun/showers by
noon. I decided to take a wee drive and bag this little hill which
eluded me last year when I did its pal on the other side, Bioda
Buidhe. Even if the weather was foul I knew it was a very short
ramble so it was being done regardless.
It was still raining
heavily when I passed the huge parking area at The Storr and
surprised to see that it was almost full. The rain had eased a little
when I arrived at my start to find another very busy car park.
Avoiding the pot holes had been the hard bit so far. Most of these
will be doing the Quiraing circuit or at least the flattish bottom
section.
 |
| Going high straight away |
 |
| Closer view |
I went clockwise so
met the extremely eroded path head on. It is a short steep ascent
with height gained quickly but the conditions were awful. A mixture
of stones and pounded down peat which was so hard it was slippy wet
with the rain. It is a long time since I have seen a section on any
walk so bad. There is now a hefty charge to park here and there are
no facilities so surely some of the money could be earmarked for
repairs. |
| Only restored part of upper track!! |
The rain was belting
down as I climbed, surprised by how many figures were looming out of
the gloom heading down from the circuit, most voices were non
Scottish.Arrive at a gate and
left the main track heading about 10o’clock through wet moorland. I
realised that I had to correct my self even more to aim for that not
to be seen summit.
About half way up
this section 3 Germans appeared out of the gloom, clearly way of
track and I doubt they were Sub2k baggers. They did have map and
compass so I reassured them of a heading that would meet the track
they should be on.
Good deed for the
day. Upwards I went and spotted a cairn in the greyness on my right,
definitely not the direction that I wanted so I did not go out of my
way to explore.
Then in the gloom I
could see what I wanted. I thought from the shape that it was a trig
point but it was more of a cairn, maybe both. It has an impressive
and shapely cairn/trig point, well constructed and maintained.
 |
| Rough ground |
Went back the same
route where the cloud did open for short bursts to let me see across
to the Trotternish ridge.  |
| North end of Trotternish Ridge |
 |
| Close up, Bioda Bhuide on right |
 |
| Looking back what I couldn't see from the gate earlier |
Spectacular short bursts of colour brought
life to the ramble and a smile to my wet face. |
| View South |
 |
| Clouds lifted Bioda Bhuide ridge and car park below |
Typically for the
final slide/descent the rain and wind was in my face.
Not the nicest short
ramble I have had but it fitted the bill for today.
Ascent: 289m
Distance: 4.87km
Time: 1.22
Wildlife: Raven:
Skylark
