Day 21-22

April 23 / 24 2023 – Day 21 and Day 22

The Editor -The combination of blogs for Day 21 and Day 22 was necessary because the writer was unable to ask/interrogate Euan about relevant details at the end of Day 21 since he was camping overnight on the slopes of Stob Binnein and unavailable for comment. Furthermore, events related to Day 21 are deemed old news on Day 22 in the heady world of 24hr news broadcasting. We hope our readers will understand the vagaries of immediate access to key personalities in these locations and appreciate our relentless pursuit for honest reporting at all times.

Staying overnight at Benglais Campsite allowed a relaxed but still orderly start to a Sunday expedition to capture 5 Munros. Euan had already planned to camp overnight to add another 2 Munros to the total the next day. It was a typical Spring day in Scotland – a little early drizzle, some blinks of sun and then a chilling wind which grew increasingly strong. Day2 was even colder – check the ice on the rocks captured on Euan’s Instagram account.

Cr282 would remain at the campsite for another night, but the commander hardly felt abandoned. He filled his day with some domestic chores – a few minutes to be fair, some communication tasks – a bit longer given his IT skills, then recharging the laptop battery in the campsite bar for 2hrs in the late afternoon. This last session took the same time as a certain football team in red beat another team in blue 2.0 as displayed on the bar TV screen. The commentary on the screen was muted as other customers listened to 70’s music. The commander’s team winning, classic music and the beer wasn’t bad either. Bliss! It was destined to be a good day since it is not often that Hamish Brown’s route, the SFA fixture list, Sky Sports televised game and most importantly Ch282’s business all aligned. (Some people have simple pleasures – The Editor.)

Of far greater significance on Day1 was the 5 Munros which Euan climbed as others in the team sat around –

Beinn Chabhair – probably Hill of the Hawk

An Caisteal – the Castle

Beinn a Chroin – Hill of the Sheep Fold

Cruach Ardrain – Stack of the High Part

Beinn Tulaichean – Hill of the Hillocks

Day 2

Ben More – Big Hill

Stob Binnein – Conical Peak

The writer was thinking that when COHN names a hill after an animal – Hill of the Hawk for example – which moves around, disappears or simply dies, then the raison d’etre for that name is lost! Just sayin’….

Euan was sometimes unnerved as he strode up or down these mountains when he found he was carefully being watched by a solitary sheep or deer. He met other less spooky visitors on these hills including a walker who had a very fine German pointer dog which Euan studied enviously. He spent the night on the slopes of Stob Binnein in a sheltered spot near a ready supply of fresh water, a small waterfall in fact. He discovered that, despite the day’s exertions, he found sleep more difficult to come. He made a note not to camp near rushing water again.

Stats over the 2 days. – 28k covered, 7 Munros, Total 57. It would be too obvious to describe the 57 included all “varieties” and “meanz” Euan completed a big 2 days unless the Editor turns a blind eye.

Cr282 was parked at the base of Stob Binnein with the bike at the ready to cycle the 21k to the next start point. The route down Loch Doine and Loch Voil did not have the deep splendour of Glen Ericht or Glen Lyon but had a softer, smaller beauty of its own. Worth a visit.

A parking spot was found at Strathyre near the excellent Broch Café with good access to the ‘net. It’s warm scones were not to be “scoffed” at either or rather were with strawberry jam. (The increasing use of puns has been noticed and should be avoided to maintain journalistic standards – The Editor.)

The Broch Café was so named because of the reconstructed broch in the park adjoining where we were able to park for the night making a £5 donation to the local community. Given the recurrent comments from the Editor about standards, the writer thought a little historical input would satisfy the cultural quota for a time at least.

A broch from the Norse meaning castle or stronghold is a uniquely Scottish structure about 12- 15 metres high. Built of stone without any limestone or fixing – drystone – it had a wooden structure inside the circular outer. They were popular about 2000yrs ago and were regarded as a status symbol for local leaders as well as providing a home and some protection for families. It was appropriate, then that Cr282 spent the night within touching distance of this broch.