Two weeks in Achiltibuie and with my in-laws accompanying us, I got permissions to head off and bag this hill. I was away by 0500 as I hadn't slept well and while the drive along the single-track road was clear of traffic, there were plentiful deer to alert me. I eventually arrived South of the Vagastie bridge at 0715, just as the grey of dawn was upon me. The route looked straightforward enough over the small hill of Cnoc Sgriodain. As the mist was down, I couldn't clearly see my target for the day but I knew that I wanted to do a longer route over the monument. Within half an hour, I was on the shoulder of the Cnoc and was making good time. Once over the Cnoc proper, I was witness to the sunrise over the main shoulder of Meall nan Con.
I pushed on, down and up on to a fantastic path which skirted below the West face of Creag an Lochain for a couple of kilometres. A really airy and enjoyable approach towards A'Chioch with the loch far below. Once at the bealach, it was a straightforward approach on to the shoulder before the steep ascent of the hill proper. Again, the cloud level was at about 800m so I couldn't see much. I eventually summited and sat in the shelter while noticing some odd mucous dangling from some moss. I occasionally got a Brocken spectre but not long enough for me to get a snap. To return the same way or to carry on and take in a much longer route? I had plenty of time so carried on and was glad that I did. You can see the true size of the hill from the route over to the monument and the walk back out along Loch Choire is truly wild.
The monument is a poignant set-up.
With the glen being enclosed at the Western end, it is only the excellent path which afford a simple escape and looking back along this glen, it feels truly remote and free. The walk back to the car was quite long but it was well worth it. Doing this Munro only to the summit is only half the experience of what this wonderful part of the world can offer. A very under-rated Munro and surroundings.
