This was going to be an epic adventure into the highlands. The farthest north I have ever been not just in Scotland but the entire world! The original plan was to bag as many munros as possible for the May Munro challenge… although things didn’t go as planned I still had one of the most epic adventures so far! I felt like I had driven into another world.
Beinn Udlamain and Sgàirneach Mhòr
Firstly the weekend previously on the 18th May I decided to do the final 2 of the 7 munros around the Drumocther Pass off the A9. This walk was meant to be between 6 and 7 hours but I managed to complete it in just over 4 hours. I could have probably done the 4 munros (including A’ Mharconaich and Geal Chàrn) in the one day as the weather was fantastic.
I’ve already accepted that there was no real paths for some of these munros and you do in fact need to walk through the bog and through the heather. I knew what to expect and I just went with it. Although I know I cannot underestimate these kinds of hikes, i probably shouldn’t push myself too hard. I did have a little bit of panic as I realised I had left my battery pack at work and that my phone (that I use for navigation and taking photos) was quickly running out of charge. Thankfully I made it back to the car with more than 20% battery.
Ben Wyvis, near Garve
This was the beginning of my epic adventure into the far north of the highlands I took a short 10 minute break in a lay-by just before Inverness before I continued my drive. Ben Wyvis was a 4 hour drive from home and I had packed 2 backpacks with clothes and lots of sandwiches and snacks and my fully charged battery pack.
There was a direct easy to follow trail/path to the summit. The walk started quite flat through the woodland as I followed a stream up a very small hill. Then the big ascent begins. I was completely alone with no signal on my phone. Thankfully my navigation app doesn’t require constant internet connection to work so I could still follow the route safely. As I began the ascent I had to take lots of short breaks. I took that time to vape and take photos of the views behind me. It was very hot and I was just wearing my T-shirt.
When I arrived at the summit there was 4 young lads in front of me. I could tell from their excitement it was one of their first munros. It’s definitely a great feeling. I sat and ate my sandwich at the trig point with the fantastic views before using my tripod to take some photos of myself for my achievement page on my website. The descent was very quick and before I knew it I was back in the woodland. Although it did seem that my car was becoming further and further away I couldn’t stop smiling as I had bagged my 15th Munro.
I got back to my car and had another sandwich that I packed in case of emergencies and got prepared for the 2 hour drive to my hostel for the night. I had thought about sleeping in the car but I’ve never been in a hostel before and really wanted to experience that. I wanted to stay here as it was the starting point of the munros I wanted to conquer: Ben More Assynt and Conival. I was a little worried about doing this and was having second thoughts. It could be a 10 hour hike. It would have definitely been the hardest hike in my life so far. In the end I decided not to do them. They aren’t going to go anywhere. I did have backup/alternative plans.
Anyway, first time alone in a hostel. It wasn’t too bad. I slept well and my body wasn’t in too much pain from the hike. I shared the room with an older English couple and a (German?) man. I was too tired to speak much and I just fell asleep.
Backup Plan
Loch Assynt. Ardvreck Castle. Also a waterfall. I really wanted to go visit here for sunset as it was only 10 minute walk from my hostel. Unfortunately I fell asleep so I visited first thing in the morning before I set off for my day. I parked my car in the small carpark and had a little walk around the Loch. It was so quiet. There was another couple and a woman walking her dog. I felt as if I had awoken in another world. I had thought ‘what if’ I had started my hike but my legs were thankful as they started to hurt a little.
My next destination ‘Smoo Cave’, was just over an hour away from Loch Assynt. I made a pit stop at Kylesku Bridge as it was marked on my Google maps as a place I wanted to visit. Such a unique bridge and there was a few people at the carpark admiring the view. Eventually I arrived in Durness to visit Smoo Cave. I bought myself a cheese and ham toastie from the snack shack and made conversation with the woman that worked there. She had asked where I stayed and I completely forgot the name of the place and I said “next to the loch”, she commented that there was hundreds of lochs and we both laughed. Anyway. As I ate my toastie and walked towards Smoo Cave, there was a lot of camper vans around this area and lots of people walking around. It was as if they had just appeared from nowhere. The cave was a lot smaller than I expected. Unfortunately it hadn’t been raining much so there was no waterfall (that I have seen in some videos of the place). A slow walk back to my car and ready for my Munro…
Ben Hope! I had the carpark set on my Google maps in my car and I was ready to go. My signal was non existence but my map still works to navigate. It was meant to be just over an hour drive. I don’t know what happened but somehow I missed my turn. My navigation completely crashes and I am lost. Well, I can’t get lost on a single track road, so I continue driving the only way I can. Pulling into the passing places to let the camper vans driving the opposite way from me pass. I regained signal for a few minutes and my navigation spoke and it was “in 24 miles make a U-turn”. I pulled into a very large passing place to check my map. I made the last minute decision to just not attempt Ben Hope. It wasn’t late but by the time I found the carpark, completed the 4-6 hour hike and then drove to Inverness for my premier inn (which was a 2 hour drive). Looking at the markers on my map I decided to go to Dunrobin Castle.
Dunrobin Castle and Gardens
It feels like forever since I have visited a castle. I’ve been so busy bagging munros I haven’t really had any down time. It was nice. But that’s all it was. I doubt I would be too impressed if I had traveled all the way here just for this castle and gardens. I’ve never really been interested in the interior of these castles (I’m more interested in taking photos from the gardens). I paid too much money for a tiny half-sandwich, a chocolate brownie and a can of cold juice.
Walking around the gardens was quite nice and there was a bird sitting on the wall singing. Otherwise the gardens were quite quiet for a Friday afternoon.
It was still an hour drive to my premier inn at Inverness. I was really tired. But eventually I got there. I was looking forward to a hot shower and a warm room. After I checked in and rested my eyes for an hour, I went to Tesco for a snack and to fill my car with fuel for my drive home on Saturday.
Cawdor Castle and Gardens
Back to my original plan. Saturday morning in Inverness. Parkrun. My 28th Parkrun. The last time I did this (December 2024), I was really ill and couldn’t breathe properly when I ran then. I was a little more prepared this time with plenty of rest. I had hoped for a better time (I did it in 33 minutes) but I had forgotten the park wasn’t as flat as I was used to. I walked back to the hotel room and got another hot shower before making my journey back to Fife. But first, a little bit East to visit Cawdor Castle. I had planned to visit here when I was in Elgin back in February.
Cawdor Castle and Gardens were fantastic. Firstly, I walked around inside the castle before checking out the garden maze. I also ventured out into the woodland walk bit. I returned to the castle cafe to get myself another cheese and ham toastie and chocolate brownie (it’s a castle tradition). It started spitting of rain but it was still very warm. I ventured into the other side of the gardens and snapped some more photos. Sitting on a nice bench, catching up on social media, spotted a garden frog. I was satisfied with my castle visit but wasn’t quite ready to go home just yet.
Uath Lochans
Sitting outside Cawdor Castle looking at my map. I had already decided not to do another Munro but I really fancied a nice woodland walk. The Uath Lochans were saved on my Google maps and I had the walk downloaded on my navigation app. I was looking forward to a different kind of walk in a new place. Uath Lochans are just a little south of Aviemore and about an hour drive from Cawdor Castle.
I found the small carpark nestled in the woods. I was used to the single track roads by now. I managed to get parked with no problem. I thought I would have struggled to get parked but there was only a few other cars here. Strange for a Saturday evening.
My navigation app stated this would be an hour walk. There was 4 Lochan’s but there were only really 2 nice ones – the other 2 were basically puddles. I had my tripod with me so wanted to take some photos of myself with the potentially fantastic views of the Loch and mountains. Although it was quite misty it was difficult to see the mountains. I still really enjoyed myself.
Just over a 2 hour drive to get home. I went straight to bed and slept. I had a very lazy Sunday (although I did attempt a short walk and go to the gym Sunday evening). My trip to the far north of Scotland was absolutely epic. In fact, I am visiting again next week with my friend. More adventures await.