Up there with the best 360 degree view I have had.....Breabag

 Hill: Breabag (Little Height)

Type: Corbett

Height: 815m

I had put this hill for ages as I thought it would be a horrible scree sloped ascent. I could not have been more wrong. A last minute decision turned out to be a really enjoyable ramble.

I had another ascent planned for the day but as I had been wakening so early each morning I did not bother setting an alarm. You guessed it, awoke and looked at my watch 8.30am, wow. So by the time I got ready a shorter day was required.

Plenty of water from small stream

Parked up at the Bone Caves, only a few cars around. Beautiful morning so emptied as much waterproof gear from my rucksack and set off.

This vibrant scene is only feet away from the dry river bed

Usually find a Small Heath on this path

The burn was in full flow, I really like this section up to where the burn disappears higher up. Realisation that it is created not higher up from the mountains but from bubbling limestone springs underneath, fascinates me every time.

First dry bed

2nd gully

As the path turns for the higher bone caves track I headed left alongside the dry burn for a short section before a sharp right up another dry burn gully. Going was better than expected.

Follow this, crossing from bank to bank as suits, until the moor is reached. Mainly heather but grassy swathes can be found to ease the going.

My route headed for the waterfall which lies beneath the break in the hills, a small gorge/fissure which you climb through. The scree slopes surrounding gave negative thoughts of the possible hard work ahead.

Not true. Another plateau is reached where there are more grassy sections than expected so the scree can be avoided for now.

I spotted quite a few deer on the ridge, they had also spotted me and were looking right at me. As I headed to the rocky summit there were small pockets of deer everywhere. They were all hinds with their calves and most stand their ground before moving. I have never seen so many deer spread over a plateau but staying apart. Plus, I have never got so close to wild deer on the tops , it was fabulous.

Cul Beag & Mor, Suilven, Canisp

Panorama

Suilven & Canisp

An easy rocky climb to the summit. And the views were out of this world. I have had great views in Assynt but nothing to beat this, it was spectacular. Every Assynt stack in perfect view. The Western Isles clear. The views are open to the Fannichs and up to the Sutherland mountains. 

Lunch companions heading off when I moved

I ate my lunch listening to deer so close I could hear them chewing and lightly coughing. This was absolute magic, so tranquil, the only noises are natural ones and then the midges started biting.

Conival & Ben More Assynt

I wandered over the scree with deer all around to have a look at the Coirean Ban, spectacular drops and views to Conival.

Top of fissure heading back

As I headed back to find the gorge and my descent an eagle appeared in the distance. Luckily I had my mini binoculars and as it turned the white pathcesv underneath and the pure white tail made my day. It never came really close but so what.

Bone Caves in big lump above grassy slopes

Back down the same way, it got very hot lower down.

All in all a special day on a runt of a hill that turned out to be one of the best.

Ascent: 707m

Distance: 10.6km

Time: 4.36

Wildlife: Red Deer; Small Heath butterfly; Meadow Pipit; Golden Plover; White Tailed Eagle.

Cracking little walk to the Bone caves

Walk: Bone Caves, Inchnadamph
Category: Trail
Height: circa 200m
Rest day so out with the good lady to take in this short walk that I noticed on a map. Glad we did it was a little cracker.
A beautiful day for a short but extremely scenic drive from Lairg along roads most tourists have yet to discover.

Start

Missed the turnoff, a very small camouflaged wooden pole it turned out, but found it on drive back.
A lovely warm spring day and it starts with a walk up the glen beside the fast rushing Allt nan Uamh.

Falls

 The waterfalls were in good flow considering the lack of rain but there was a better surprise for this burn later.
Just after the falls I spotted a stag on the near horizon on our right with a big hind, both turned and disappeared when they spotted us.

Metres above springs arid

A couple were dangling their feet in the water when it dawned on me that the water concourse above was totally dry, rocks and boulders. On closer inspection the water was bubbling out of the ground, small pockets of amazing springs which in a matter of metres was a fast flowing burn. Never seen that before, a natural wonder.

Metres below springs full burn

There is an easy track to follow that climbs gradually although probably more awkward for poor footwear in wet conditions.

Easy track in

I saw more Wheatear today than I have ever seen on a single outing, beautiful birds. We also had a short sighting of a similarly upright bird, slightly larger but beautiful blacks and greys. My immediate thought was a shrike, I know of no other like that, no binos but we both saw it. If so a gem of a sighting.
With the glare of the sun and the shadows we almost missed the cave entrances up on our right.

Caves

A continuation up the track then turns back on itself climbing along a narrow path to the cave entrances. It is steep and exposed, loose stones so take care. A raven had been flying close by it turned out its nest was just above one of the caves. It made close fly pasts but nothing threatening.

Looking towards Conival

These caves have bones from many of past animals including: arctic fox; lynx; reindeer; bear; wolves etc probably occupied by the hunter gathers. There are links between some of them but only for the brave. In one it looked like a small shaft of light far back but no exploring for us.
Standing on the ledge outside the caves you can appreciate the importance of the site as well as for us the views it gives. A stunning stony but bleak and barren landscape.

Looking back towards the start

Scanning our eyes across to Creag na h Iolaire, ever hopeful, but no eagles only the raven patrolling the ridge.
Either retrace your steps or follow the obvious path back down to the valley.

Colour in the grey

The dried up burn mentioned earlier provided colour with gorgeous yellow primroses breaking up the many shades of grey.

Newt

On the way back we stopped at a deep black pool which had pond skaters on top and newts below.
A cracking little walk and one that I would highly recommend.
Wildlife: Raven; Wheatear; Red Admiral & Peacock Butterfly; Newt; Red deer stag & hind, Meadow pipit, Grey shrike?

Time: 2 hours
Ascent: 200m
Distance: circa 3 miles.