Cruachan Chàrna (170m) and Beinn na h-Uamha (465m) 6th June 2009

Ben Hiant (528m) from Cruachan Chàrna

Gathering on the summit of Cruachan Chàrna

Cruachan Chàrna (170m)

A trip to the island of Carna had been arranged for the Saturday of the Marhofn weekend, with two boatloads of Marilyn baggers. The boat was due to leave from Laga at 9 am and parking in Laga is limited, so it meant an early start. Chris parked the car in a car park about a mile before Laga and we walked down to the jetty. The boats were late in leaving and we didn't set off until 9.30 am, arriving on Carna 15 minutes later. The ascent to the top of the island was short but it was rough underfoot, with thick vegetation. I reached the top at 10.15 am and was in time to catch the first boatload of baggers who were celebrating the entrance into the Hall of Fame of Charles and Dee. The view was nice and included Ardnamurchan, Ben Resipol, Morvern, and part of Ardgour. We descended a different way, as we didn't like the path we came up on and we reached the jetty at 11 am. We had to wait until 11.50 am to be picked up but we were given a lift back to the car park.

On the boat back to Laga

Beinn na h-Uamha (465m)

Chris drove us round to the Morvern peninsula and he parked the car in the Forestry Commission car park near the head of Loch Arienas. We followed a track for a short time but had to leave it to climb the open slopes of the hill. The ground was tussocky, it was steep and hot and it was hard work. The higher we climbed the better the views became of the extensive cliffs of Sithean na Raplaich, looking like an ancient caldera. We came upon an area of cliffs and landslips, which had to be avoided, but this was accomplished without any problems. We reached the top at 3.45 pm and enjoyed a great view, which included Ardgour, the other Morvern hills, Mull, Rum, Skye and some unknown islands in the Western Isles. It was windy on the top but we stopped for a bite to eat, and on the descent we met a fellow Marilyn bagger. We took a different line in descent and ended up wading through some thick and high bracken. We reached the car at 4.55 pm and celebrated a good day with a beer.

Chris climbing Beinn na h-Uamha. Sithean na Raplaich behind

Beinn Iadian (571m) from Beinn na h-Uamha

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