6th September 2024 - Baca Ruadh and Creag a' Lain
Walk Details
Distance walked: 7.5 miles
Total ascent: 2625 ft
OS map: 408 - Skye, Trotternish & The Storr
Time taken: 6.5 hrs
Route description: Glenuachdarach, Glen Hinnisdal-Lon Mhic Ibheir-Coire Iomhair-Bealach na Leacaich-Creag a' Lain-Baca Ruadh-Sgurr a' Mhadaidh Ruaidh-Creag a' Lain-Bealach na Leacaich-Coire Iomhair-Lon Mhic Ibheir-Glenuachdarach, Glen Hinnisdal
For my final walk on the Isle of Skye this year I've decided to take in part of the Trotternish ridge, which I've not been on before (I'm not including visiting the Old Man of Storr last year). I took this route from the Walkhighlands website, and added to it by also taking in Baca Ruadh, the next summit along the ridge south of Sgurr a' Mhadaidh Ruaidh. There are far more popular parts of the ridge, The Storr and the Quiraing for instance, but I didn't fancy either of those today and wanted somewhere quieter. I knew from the route description on the website that the walk up the glen would be largely pathless and quite rough underfoot, but with another day of great weather forecast knew that that shouldn't be a problem. Thankfully it wasn't, with the conditions underfoot being no worse than what I'm already used to. The effort required to get up onto the ridge was certainly worthwhile, spectacular views of the Trotternish ridge. I enjoyed wall-to-wall blue skies, sunshine, and light winds for this walk, but there were changes from the previous day. A haze restricted the visibility somewhat, and it was much more humid. That humidity was really energy sapping, and made the ascents hard work.
After parking my car at the end of the road at Glenuachdarach in Glen Hinnisdal I took a track through some sheepfolds, then east up the glen to its end at a gate just past the waterfalls Lon Coire Chaiplin. From there I gradually made my way down to the burn of Lon Mhic Ibheir, which I followed up Coire Iomhair, crossing it to reach a fence that took me up to Bealach na Leacaich between Flasvein and Creag a' Lain. I then made my way up to the summit of Creag a' Lain, where I stopped for lunch. After this break I walked south along the ridge to Baca Ruadh, bypassing Sgurr a' Mhadaidh Ruaidh, which I took in on the way back to Creag a' Lain, once I'd taken in the view from Baca Ruadh. From Creag a' Lain I retraced my steps back to the end of the road at Glenuachdarach in Glen Hinnisdal.
Total ascent: 2625 ft
OS map: 408 - Skye, Trotternish & The Storr
Time taken: 6.5 hrs
Route description: Glenuachdarach, Glen Hinnisdal-Lon Mhic Ibheir-Coire Iomhair-Bealach na Leacaich-Creag a' Lain-Baca Ruadh-Sgurr a' Mhadaidh Ruaidh-Creag a' Lain-Bealach na Leacaich-Coire Iomhair-Lon Mhic Ibheir-Glenuachdarach, Glen Hinnisdal
For my final walk on the Isle of Skye this year I've decided to take in part of the Trotternish ridge, which I've not been on before (I'm not including visiting the Old Man of Storr last year). I took this route from the Walkhighlands website, and added to it by also taking in Baca Ruadh, the next summit along the ridge south of Sgurr a' Mhadaidh Ruaidh. There are far more popular parts of the ridge, The Storr and the Quiraing for instance, but I didn't fancy either of those today and wanted somewhere quieter. I knew from the route description on the website that the walk up the glen would be largely pathless and quite rough underfoot, but with another day of great weather forecast knew that that shouldn't be a problem. Thankfully it wasn't, with the conditions underfoot being no worse than what I'm already used to. The effort required to get up onto the ridge was certainly worthwhile, spectacular views of the Trotternish ridge. I enjoyed wall-to-wall blue skies, sunshine, and light winds for this walk, but there were changes from the previous day. A haze restricted the visibility somewhat, and it was much more humid. That humidity was really energy sapping, and made the ascents hard work.
After parking my car at the end of the road at Glenuachdarach in Glen Hinnisdal I took a track through some sheepfolds, then east up the glen to its end at a gate just past the waterfalls Lon Coire Chaiplin. From there I gradually made my way down to the burn of Lon Mhic Ibheir, which I followed up Coire Iomhair, crossing it to reach a fence that took me up to Bealach na Leacaich between Flasvein and Creag a' Lain. I then made my way up to the summit of Creag a' Lain, where I stopped for lunch. After this break I walked south along the ridge to Baca Ruadh, bypassing Sgurr a' Mhadaidh Ruaidh, which I took in on the way back to Creag a' Lain, once I'd taken in the view from Baca Ruadh. From Creag a' Lain I retraced my steps back to the end of the road at Glenuachdarach in Glen Hinnisdal.
Route map
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From the end of the road at Glenuachdarach in Glen Hinnisdal I take a track east up the glen
Looking back to Glenuachdarach, and down Glen Hinnisdal to fog in the distance over Loch Snizort
Passing beneath Creag na Doire
Following the track east and I'll be climbing to Bealach na Leacaich between Flasvein on the left and Creag a' Lain on the right
Waterfalls on Lon Coire Chaiplin
Looking down Glen Hinnisdal from beside Lon Coire Chaiplin. This was where the track came to an end.
Following Lon Mhic Ibheir up Coire Iomhair. There's no path to keep to, just occasional sheep trods to make the going easier. Further up I'll cross the burn to reach the fence that heads up to the bealach..
Looking back down Lon Mhic Ibheir to Glen Hinnisdal
The climb to the bealach awaits. I'll go to the left of the crags that interrupt the fence.
Views down Coire Iomhair to Glen Hinnisdal and Loch Snizort as I make my way up to the bealach..
On the eastern edge of Bealach na Leacaich. Looking north along the Trotternish ridge..
..and east, with Loch Cuthir below, Sgurr a' Mhadaidh Ruaidh on the right, and the island of Rona in the distance across the Sound of Raasay
Flasvein and Beinn Edra to the north as I make my way up Creag a' Lain
On the summit of Creag a' Lain, where I stopped for a much needed break. Looking west down Glen Hinnisdal to Loch Snizort and across to the Waternish peninsula.
As I make my way east along the edge of the crags I get a great view looking north to Beinn Edra, and to Meall na Suiramach and the Quiraing in the distance..
..and across to Sgurr a' Mhadaidh Ruaidh, which I'll bypass on the way to Baca Ruadh
On the summit of Baca Ruadh
Taking in the view from Baca Ruadh. To the west, the ridge to Beinn a' Sga and Glen Hinnisdal, with Loch Snizort and the Waternish peninsula in the distance.
The coast of Trotternish at Inver Tote to the east
The Storr and Hartaval to the south..
Finally, looking north across Coir' an t-Seasgaich to Sgurr a' Mhadaidh Ruaidh
Leaving Baca Ruadh to head back north to Creag a' Lain, I turn right to visit Sgurr a' Mhadaidh Ruaidh
A small cairn marks the summit of Sgurr a' Mhadaidh Ruaidh. Flying ants had gathered en masse here, so it wasn't the nicest place to be.
Taking in the view looking north, with Creag a' Lain on the left, then Flasvein, Groba nan Each, Beinn Mheadhonach, Beinn Edra, and to Meall na Suiramach and the Quiraing in the distance, and Loch Cuithir below..
Looking east to the coast at Iver Tote, with a bit of Loch Liuravay below
The Storr and Baca Ruadh to the south
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Dramatic views of the Trotternish ridge through gaps in the crags and from the tops of the cliffs on the north face of Sgurr a' Mhadaidh Ruaidh....
Looking back to Sgurr a' Mhadaidh Ruaidh as I make my way up Creag a' Lain
Taking in the view of the Trotternish ridge from Creag a' Lain for the second time today..
Making my way down to Bealach na Leacaich, where I'll turn left for the descent back to Glen Hinnisdal
Looking down Coire Iomhair to Glen Hinnisdal, Loch Snizort, and across to the Waternish peninsula as I start my descent
Looking back up to Bealach na Leacaich from beside Lon Mhic Ibheir
Some time later I return to the gate at the end of the track to Glenuachdarach
Waterfalls on Lon Coire Chaiplin. A good place to take my boots off and having a cooling dip.
A last look back to take in the view of the hills at the head of the glen..
Through the sheepholds and I'm back at the end of the road at Glenuachdarach