Hill: Dun Can
Type: Sub2k
Height: 444m
What a difference a day makes, yesterday was abysmal with gale force winds and constant rain. Today a crisp blue skied late winters day.
I always get excited about a ramble that begins with a ferry journey. Calmac staff were excellent as always. The stubby top of Dun Can stood out from the mainland and the short crossing did not disappoint.
If I had been going solo I would have taken the full circular route from the ferry and I would recommend that option. But as I had the good lady with me, reluctantly dragging her out of bed that was never a goer. There is a more straightforward and importantly shorter route which I opted for.
A well constructed gently rising gradient track, albeit with yesterdays rain cascading down it, took us to the ridge above Loch na Meilich. I did not tell her about the sting in the tail having to descend to the loch then climb to the summit. Surprisingly she was good natured about it.
The summit is a pleasantly large flat area. The trig is slightly enclosed, no doubt because behind it, within a couple of feet, are huge drops, no surviving a fall off that bit. The reward was the fantastic 360deg views you get from a small island top, nothing gets in the way. It is said to be one of the best in the Highlands and I fully agree. Back over to Skye with Portree seen through the gap and Rums Cuillins behind that,, slightly north the Quiraing hills. South were the Cuillins, both grey and red, heavier with snow after yesterdays downfall. Looking east Torridon etc and lots of blue water everywhere.
But the best was when I was looking over the sea I spotted a big bird rising using a thermal. Huge with the naked eye but superb in the binos, a white tailed eagle, the perfect sighting. A good close up before it headed north towards the Gairloch, it could no longer be seen with the naked eye, so glad i brought the binos. Then it turned and headed back over the sea towards us, investigated a pair of boats, but they were obviously not tourist boats so no free fish. Flew in below us and disappeared but I was not going too close to the edge to find it.
Back the same route. So glad we did it. An absolutely stunning day with that perfect surprise. A walk only to be done on a good viewing day, it would be wasted without. And a meal to look forward to in one of Skye's highest rated restaurants. A fine day indeed.
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| Ferry terminal with Glamaig behind |
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| Dun Can from Sconser |
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| Drop required |
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| Narrow track at times |
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| View to mainland |
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| View up to Gairloch |
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| Cuillins |
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| Portree inlet on left |
Ascent: 378m
Distance: 6.3km
Time: 2.49m
Wildlife: White Tailed Eagle; Raven; Meadow Pipit; Red Grouse: Grey Heron; Eider; Black Headed Gull; Great Black backed gull;
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