Great Scottish Walk

I was recently asked to write a short piece about my fav walking route in the UK. It ws something I had to think a wee bit about but below is what I came up with, I hope that one day you may also enjoy the walk like I have in the past. One of the walks that I would seriously love to do again (remember I don’t spend too much time in the UK now) is up in the Fannachs in the NW of Scotland. My story started with what was the first complete ascent of Skyscraper Buttress Direct a hard winter route on Sgurr Na Clach Geala way back in the winter of 95/96. It was my first time in the Fannachs and I was taken away by how remote and quite they felt. I’m afraid sitting here I don’t have any maps to hand so please forgive me if your trying to follow my description and you get lost.. It starts from a lay-by on the A832 and over the next 12 or 13 miles (round trip) it takes in some of the finest scenery in the NW highlands, often with out another sole in sight. The main aim is to reach to top of Sgurr Na Clach Geala, which at 1093 is the highest point in the Fannachs. The name means peak of the white stone, which comes from the Quartzite which makes up the summit block, and also gives the top of the impressive east Corrie some steep yet positive climbing as I found all those years ago. In combination with the neighbouring Munroe of Meall a' Chrasgaidh and Sgurr Nan it gives an excellent ridge walk, the final section between Meall a’ Chrasgaidh and Sgurr Na Clach Geala is great fun never too hard but with a feeling of airiness about it. One of the things I love about the area is that the paths are few and in distinct so the walking can be hard work sometimes and often a tad boggy, but it feels real and you can be sure its never busy. It’s quite a long day maybe 8hours or so for the 12 miles and well over 1000m of ascent, so it’s not an easy day but its not too technical There are great views all around but especially to the North where on a fine day you can catch sight of An Teallach. It really is a great day out.....go and do it!!! Kenton