Beinn Liath Mhor

A bad day at Achnashellach

It's very easy to give the impression that everything goes according , or more or less according, to plan on a website such as this. I've been incredibly fortunate over the years of my walking in Scotland and have only had a few days when I've had to abandon a walk. In September 2012 weather conditions were not conducive to hill walking. I'd already had to deal with gales on Ben Wyvis  but on my walked from Achnashellach conditions were much worse.

I'd stayed at Strathcarron and caught the 07:02 train to Achnashellach. The walk starts by crossing the railway and up the track for a short distance..

...to reach a crossroads of forest tracks. Turn sharp left on to the track towards the hills.

The track passes through a deer fence...

... and towards the hills.

The path to the hills goes off to the left at thsis signpost..

....and haeads down to the river....

.....before heading upstream..

....and then uphill.

The weather which had started off as a light drizzle turned to torrential rain and the wind speed picked up significantly. The forecast was for 60mph gales and continuing heavy downpours. At about the 300m contour I decided that the combination of low cloud above about 400m, high winds and heavy rain wasn't something I wished to deal with and with little hesitation I turned back to the station.

Beinn Liath Mhor could wait!

The weather continued in the same way all day- it was still raining twelve hours later.