My first time into Knoydart would also coincide with my 2nd trip into the Munros for 2021. I seem to be averaging 4-5 Munros per year but this trip had been in planning since I'd been out with Graeme on Mam na Gualain in May. As usual, I didn't sleep well the night before so it was a very early start for me and I was at Mallaig for 0600. The boat wasn't until 0730. Graeme and Luna arrived just before 0700 and with heavy packs on, we boarded and enjoyed the excellent transfer over. Once we disembarked, we started the walk up into the Glen, catching up on life. We fair motored along the track up to the Mam Barrisdale, taking it all in. It felt wild here. After a couple of good hours walking, we found a wee promontory just down from Meall Buidhe and set up camp.
After some refreshments, it was light packs on and the small matter of the two Munros for the day. It was a steep pull up on to Meall Buidhe and it took us over 2 hours to make the summit - the heat was rather stifling but the views more than made up for the pain. What a wondrous place this is.
I sent a message to Mrs P saying we were at first summit - it was the first time I'd had signal and that was refreshing enough in itself. We began the walk over to Luinne Bheinn, which didn't look that far but the descent and ascent over to it was tricky and tough, especially with Luna who was fearful of some of the climbs. The terrain between the two Munros allowed for some amazing views over to Ben Aden and beyond. Future routes were already being hatched; wee waterfalls planned for a refreshing dook. We eventually topped out on her 2nd Munro of the day, and the views were again fantastic. From here, we headed down towards the Mam Barrisdale but took a more direct route back to the tents, whereupon we downed a tin of beer in seconds. A fabulous day's walking - both tough and tremendous with the walk back out the next day to the Old Forge for lunch and a beer, a real treat. Cannot wait to come back.
