Mountains on my mind

The hills lure you from every window in the wild rocky paradise of Assynt, and even in the rain the view from our hostel dorm to the massive hulk of Quinag was mesmerising. We dodged the stormy weather for a gentle evening stroll through rainbows to a chambered cairn just up the glen then decided to climb Stac Pollaidh next morning. It’s only  612m high but ranks 10/10 for drama.

It was a steep but short ascent and  once we reached our high vantage we gazed over to the distant, outlandish rocks of Suilven, Ben Mor Coigach, Cul Beag and Canisp until their ancient outlines were imprinted in our minds, certain to call us back.

I’m back in the lowlands now, distracted at my desk and poring through the photographs we took. I’m reminiscing already about the adventure and missing the birch and heather, the muted Highland colours, the mist hovering on the high tops and the dark threatening clouds.

So my Scottish Mountaineering Club “bible” is open beside me, the weather is forecast to improve and I have a plan. Maybe Thursday.