Carnoch ruins and Sgurr na Ciche

Participants – Iain Kaye, Colin Henderson

In May 2011, I went on a four day backpacking trip around Knoydart with Iain Kaye from Ullapool.

The journey started for me with a 6 hour train journey from Edinburgh to Mallaig then a boat trip to the village of Inverie, home of the Old Forge, Britain’s most remote mainland pub. (We had just missed the annual music festival – 800 people had been in the village the weekend before).

Walking in Knoydart is hard work and three days of 8, 11 and 12 hours walking gained us 5700m ascent but only 3 Corbetts and 3 Munros (Beinn na Caillich, Sgurr Coire Choinnichean, Ladhar Bheinn, Luinne Bheinn, Ben Aden, Sgurr na Ciche).

I have one Munro left to do in Knoydart (Meall Bhuide). I regret not doing it whilst I was there – I was only 400m from the summit – but I couldn’t convince myself to continue due to sore feet. I[m reliably told I had burstitis – which is painful!

That one Munro gives me an excuse to go back. Especially to Lochan nam Breac, where we camped. It’s a stunning location. As is the Old Forge, where we celebrated the week’s efforts with a pint.

I specialise in capturing people hill walking, hiking and backpacking in the Scottish Highlands & Islands. If you are interested in a photographic record of your day or weekend out, please contact me.