8th June 2016 - Marsco
Walk Details
Distance walked: 8.7 miles
Total ascent: 2552 ft
OS map used: 411 - Skye, Cuillin Hills
Time taken: 6.5 hrs
Route description: Sligachan Hotel-Glen Sligachan-Coire Dubh Measarroch-Mam a'Phobuill-Coire nan Laogh-Marsco east top-Marsco-Coire nan Laogh-Mam a'Phobuill-Coire Dubh Measarroch-Glen Sligachan-Sligachan Hotel
I was determined to tackle another of Skye's mountains while I was here but after Monday's issues with scree I needed to make my choice with care. One of the walks that I'd marked in my guide book was Marsco, one of the Red Hills on the eastern side of Glen Sligachan. Compared to the neighbouring summits little in the way of scree is encountered on it. My initial plan was to do a circular route, going up the north ridge and down Coire Dubh Measarroch as described in my guide book. In the end I decided to take the same route up and down via Coire Dubh Measarroch. The north ridge looked practicable but I couldn't see any evidence of anyone going that way before and I didn't fancy tackling all the heather and rough ground to get onto the north ridge when there was a clear path to follow up Coire Dubh Measarroch. In the end this was a walk that I thoroughly enjoyed and would do again, especially if I can get a clear view from the summit. More fine, warm weather was forecast for today but it was a bit of a surprise when I awoke to find it foggy in Harrapool this morning. The fog cleared as I drove west along the A87 to Sligachan but it was an indication that it was even more humid than the previous couple of days. The result was that the tops of mountains were bothered by cloud while I was up there. It was one of those days that the later you could leave it the better.
Starting from one of the car parks by the A87 near the Sligachan Hotel I took the track across Allt Daraich to the old bridge over the River Sligachan. Here, a path sets off south up Glen Sligachan bound for Camasunary. I followed this path up the glen until I reached the point where it crosses the Allt na Measarroch. A clear path heads up Coire Dubh Measarroch before this burn is crossed. As I reached the top of the path up Coire Dubh Measarroch the remains of an old fence joined me from the left. This was to be my guide for the next part of the route. As the bealach of Mam a'Phobuill is reached the fence posts headed south up the east side of Coire nan Laogh and so did I. There was still a clear enough path underfoot all the way up to the summit ridge. After having lunch on the east top I paid the main summit a visit. My route back was a simple reversal of my route up. As with my walk on Monday the recent weeks of dry weather certainly made the going underfoot much easier than it could have been. The paths would have been pretty boggy otherwise.
Total ascent: 2552 ft
OS map used: 411 - Skye, Cuillin Hills
Time taken: 6.5 hrs
Route description: Sligachan Hotel-Glen Sligachan-Coire Dubh Measarroch-Mam a'Phobuill-Coire nan Laogh-Marsco east top-Marsco-Coire nan Laogh-Mam a'Phobuill-Coire Dubh Measarroch-Glen Sligachan-Sligachan Hotel
I was determined to tackle another of Skye's mountains while I was here but after Monday's issues with scree I needed to make my choice with care. One of the walks that I'd marked in my guide book was Marsco, one of the Red Hills on the eastern side of Glen Sligachan. Compared to the neighbouring summits little in the way of scree is encountered on it. My initial plan was to do a circular route, going up the north ridge and down Coire Dubh Measarroch as described in my guide book. In the end I decided to take the same route up and down via Coire Dubh Measarroch. The north ridge looked practicable but I couldn't see any evidence of anyone going that way before and I didn't fancy tackling all the heather and rough ground to get onto the north ridge when there was a clear path to follow up Coire Dubh Measarroch. In the end this was a walk that I thoroughly enjoyed and would do again, especially if I can get a clear view from the summit. More fine, warm weather was forecast for today but it was a bit of a surprise when I awoke to find it foggy in Harrapool this morning. The fog cleared as I drove west along the A87 to Sligachan but it was an indication that it was even more humid than the previous couple of days. The result was that the tops of mountains were bothered by cloud while I was up there. It was one of those days that the later you could leave it the better.
Starting from one of the car parks by the A87 near the Sligachan Hotel I took the track across Allt Daraich to the old bridge over the River Sligachan. Here, a path sets off south up Glen Sligachan bound for Camasunary. I followed this path up the glen until I reached the point where it crosses the Allt na Measarroch. A clear path heads up Coire Dubh Measarroch before this burn is crossed. As I reached the top of the path up Coire Dubh Measarroch the remains of an old fence joined me from the left. This was to be my guide for the next part of the route. As the bealach of Mam a'Phobuill is reached the fence posts headed south up the east side of Coire nan Laogh and so did I. There was still a clear enough path underfoot all the way up to the summit ridge. After having lunch on the east top I paid the main summit a visit. My route back was a simple reversal of my route up. As with my walk on Monday the recent weeks of dry weather certainly made the going underfoot much easier than it could have been. The paths would have been pretty boggy otherwise.
Route map
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My first sight of Marsco as I cross Allt Daraich
The Cuillin under cloud from the River Sligachan
The Sligachan Hotel
As I start to head up Glen Sligachan, to my left, Sgurr Mhairi, Beinn Dearg Mhor and the ridge of Druim na Ruaige
Marsco ahead
Sgurr nan Gillean is up there somewhere. Shame I can't see it.
The north ridge of Marsco from Allt na Measarroch
Looking back down as I reach the top of Coire Dubh Measarroch
I can now see my route of ascent on the eastern side of Coire nan Laogh
Looking round the side of Ciche na Beinne Deirge to Loch Ainort with Glas Bheinn Mhor on the right
Coire nan Laogh
Beinn Dearg Mheadhonach and Ciche na Beinne Deirge
On the climb to the summit ridge and the view opens out to the east. Glas Bheinn Mhor and Belig with its top in cloud.
After making it to the summit ridge I made my way to the east top. Not much of a view I'm afraid but still dramatic nonetheless. Loch na Creitheach, Loch Scavaig and Sgurr na Stri to the south.
If I turn to the right, one of the Lochan Dubha below and Harta Corrie heads into the heart of the Cuillin
The cloud has rolled back in. It looks like it's going to be one of those days. The remains of this fence was a useful guide on the way up. I'm going to follow it back to where I gained the summit ridge then leave it to head up to the main top.
As I approach it the cloud lifts
A narrow ridge leads me..
..to the little cairn that marks the top
Looking back along the summit ridge
Still no Cuillin but Lochan Dubha and Harta Corrie below
A bit of Glen Sligachan to the northwest
Ruadh Stac, Loch na Creitheach, Loch Scavaig and Sgurr na Stri to the south.
As I start to head down the cloud breaks up more and I can see the mountains just to the east. Glas Bheinn Mhor, Belig and Grabh-bheinn.
Garbh-bheinn, Blabheinn and Ruadh Stac
The east top of Marsco below. My route up and down finished at the saddle between it and the main top.
A last look at the view to the south, it's the last time that I'll see it today. I can also make out mist over the sea, shows just how humid it is.
Heading back down. Beinn Dearg Mheadhonach with Sgurr Mhairi and Beinn Dearg Mhor to the left and right behind it.
Loch Ainort
A last look back to Belig and Garbh-bheinn as..
..I head back down Coire Dubh Measarroch
Back in Glen Sligachan and a now cloud-free Marsco. Sods law.
Looking back up Glen Sligachan as I walk back down the glen
Sgurr nan Gillean still under cloud as I reach the Sligachan Hotel
A last shot of Allt Daraich the hostel over Allt Daraich the burn with Beinn Dearg Mhor, Beinn Dearg Mheadhonach and Marsco in the background
I stopped in a layby on the A87 as I drove back to Harrapool to take a couple of shots. Looking out along Loch Ainort to the Isle of Raasay.
Marsco, Beinn Dearg Mheadhonach and Beinn Dearg Mhor
A beautiful sunset in Harrapool this evening....
