I didn’t plan this…
Our Land Rover camper (Dora) hadn’t been used for almost a year. It had a fresh MOT and also some new stuff we wanted to test out - a wee table, new upholstery and some new curtains. Mo did everything apart from the table, which I made.
We hadn’t really finished everything, but decided to go to Skye for a long weekend, mainly to find some easier walking, away from the deep thawing snow of GM/ES. We left 4pm Thursday we were parked up somewhere near Portree.
Day 1 - Friday 16th January
Breakfast at the superb new Isle of Skye Candle Co. cafe just south of Portree, then up the west coast to Uig and over the wee road to the bealach that sits between GM/SI-081 Bioda Buidhe and GM/SI-058 Meall na Suiramach. It’s more famous for being the location of the Quiraing.
We took on Bioda Buidhe first, ascending well made paths and then a stone staircase, before finally traversing up the open hillside.
the view back to the Trotternish Ridge
The views were superb due to the location of the hill, it being at the north end of the island. The mountain ranges of Harris on the left across to Torridon’s snowy peaks on the right. Handily, several wee iron stakes dotted the summit area, so it was a quick job setting up an HF station.
summit selfie #1
Activation completed, on 40m and 20m SSB, I quickly packed up and we headed back the same route, glad to get out of the strong wind.
A hop across the road and up the path towards Meall na Suiramach, the first peak on the long Trotternish Ridge. Mo and I backpacked this a number of years ago as part of the The Skye Trail. An awesome day, with 17 miles of walking and 6000’ of ascent but it nearly killed us. The other six days of the hike were also awesome but a lot less tiring.
Meall na Suiramach
Much simpler this time, and the plain grass summit was gained in no time. Pegs and guys this time though. Again, 40m and 20m SSB bringing in the contacts.
the ridge continues all the way to Portree
We overnighted along the road, near a stream and waterfall. Thankfully no phone signal, so dominoes and a Connect 4 grudge match filled the evening.
Day 2 - Saturday 17th January
We’d planned to climb the two higher peaks at the south end of the ridge, but early morning rain, winds and low cloud scuppered that plan. Instead, we headed down towards Portree and began an ascent of Sithean Bhealaich Chumhaing GM/SI-115. This was one I had been looking forward to, given the unusual summit.
We followed a track through grazing land, up a steep slope and thereafter simply followed the cliff edge on sheep tracks until we reached the trig, and what a trig it was!
Mo at the steep bit, looking down to Portree harbour
along the route - the summit is third bump from the left
The trig was perched right on the cliff edge, with the sea 393m below us. Mercifully the centre cap was in the trig, so I took no shame in retreating from the cliff edge and setting up shop on the grassy bank below.
summit selfie #2 on summit #3
With the activation done, we headed back to Dora and then drove round to what felt like a very remote glen (Glenmore) but in reality, just over the hill from Portree. We camped there for the night and had a revenge match - Jenga this time.
Dora the V8 Exploer
Day 3 - Sunday 18th January
I woke early, and headed off solo to climb Beinn na Greine GM/SI-104. We were parked just 200m from the mast road. What I hadn’t counted on was the fact that it was even darker, for longer, at the northern end of Skye, than at home. I left at 0730 and managed up the road OK, but when it came to the grass and heather, I stumbled about for a bit, despite the headtorch. A peat hag swallowed me whole, and a mossy bit at the bottom ate my left leg. The light soon came and I was able to pick my way up to the summit.
pre-dawn Cuillins view
The 41’ wire went vertical for 5m and then sloped away, with the carbon 6 jammed in some rocks. An 0845 Sunday activation was fairly quiet with sleepy bands, but 11 went in my log on 40/20m SSB.
cold and breezy and summit #4 selfie
another pristine trig
The return journey was a lot easier and I managed to dodge most of the peat hags on the way back to the track. Home (Dora home) for 10am and a nice hot breakfast. We’d planned a second summit that day, but a really heavy burst of rain came down and Mo said, “no more SOTA.” Back to Aberdeenshire then.
0900 sunrise
Day 4 - Monday 19th January
Alex @GM5ALX announced three half day expeditions, so I thought I’d tag along but on different summits and maybe try to get him a few completes. No completes today because I had business in Alford, but as soon as that was done, I headed up to GM/ES-062 Lord Arthur’s Hill.
Lord Arthur’s is a winter favourite. Not too long or too steep, and all on a vehicle track. Except, this time the vehicle track was filled with old crusty snow.
up to Lord Arthur’s Hill on Monday afternoon
I suspect Alex was having equal fun on Morven. We arrived within minutes of one another and had a DV 2m S2S, a first and so new badges all round.
summit #5 no selfie
It was a fine afternoon, so I stayed and did some HF, had a wander round, but quickly scampered when dark clouds started to build from the south.
I think the first aurora alert triggered that evening…
Day 5 - Tuesday 20th January
GM/ES-067 Creag Ghiubhais today, and a good bit earlier. Thawing and drizzle on a steep wee hill (the worst in GM/ES) that no-one ever does twice.
This was my third attempt.
The climb actually went OK, now that I had discovered a reasonable route (which Alex has mapped on sotlas).
up
The activation was the problem. HF had gone, completely gone. I managed a S2s with Alex on 40m AM for another badge, and scraped by on 17m groundwave and 40m ground wave.
summit #6 selfie
Back down and home, I helped Alex qualify his second summit on 2m, and then dried out my kit.
Day 6 - Wednesday 20th January
More bad weather - the space and atmospheric kind. I had to, in no particular order, get an eye test, pick up a propane bottle, do some shopping. That dovetailed nicely around an activation of GM/ES-083 Fourman Hill, which is near Huntly. I did this back in 2022 and lost my 9:1. I also had a tricky climb because of wind blown trees. No such problems on this visit though. It had all been cleared and there was a clear track to the summit area.
Except it was covered in deep thawing snow, which was being steadily rained on.
gloomy on Fourman Hill
None the less, a quick hike to the AZ. It was really wet and windy, so I remained on the edge of the trees, and selected a suitable sapling for my mast. S2S with Alex on 2m FM (no badge) and a bit of HF. Just five QSO’s on dead bands, but of course 5/9 both ways with the legend that is @F4WBN. Thanks Chris!
With the activation done, I couldn’t resist wandering over to the trig, hoping to find my long lost @K6ARK 9:1. No chance!
Fourman Hill - summit #7
Our ABZ collective reckon that Fourman hill is the easiest on GM/ES now that the track can be used. Others may disagree…
Day 7 - Wednesday 21st January
An Amber weather warning for rain didn’t put me off planning a trip up the very local GM/ES-047 Pressendye. However, the weather and dormant HF bands did force me to push it back until 1330, which was perfect timing for the Aberdeen 2m net.
To be honest, the weather warning was really about rapid snow melt combined with rain and the subsequent flooding this would cause. My Land Rover was not phased in the slightest by the long route to Tarland via Aboyne, a necessary detour to collect some petrol for my stand by generator. There was a lot of water on the roads and most streams had burst their banks.
I was wrapped from head to toe in Paramo and had some extra kit in the bag to cope with the elements. Surprisingly, two masts too. I took it easy on the hike because I didn’t want to overheat and I couldn’t afford to vent the Paramo due to the sideways rain and wind.
grim on Pessendye
I was at the cairn for 1300 and set up VHF, using a slim-G on a 4m mast. Then, on to HF. The carbon 6 was extended around 5m, with the W3EDP strung vertical for 4m and then the world’s longest, lowest sloper for the remaining 21m. I’d rigged two masts in case I needed to get in my bothy bag. Once I was in, I did not plan on coming out. Anyway, it wasn’t needed in the end.
long and low
My low antenna worked though - by that I mean Chris was 59… He was my only 20m contact. I had a couple on 40m and then turned my attention to VHF and the net.
summit #8 selfie. Tthe main reason I chose Pressendye was for the shelter
The net was rather good fun. The locals were chirpy and added another five to my log. It was around 1350 when I said 73 and by now I was getting a wee bit cold. The wind was getting up and the rain had stopped.
The down took half the time of the up. I had to put the goggles on a couple of times because the wind was pushing into me from the SE. The wind nearly scuppered my plans to use the shelter. Most shelters are built to protect from a SW wind, and I barely gained protection from it.
Home for 3pm and I think I’ll take the day off on Friday. Seven is a full house anyway.
Achievements
2 white tailed Eagles
8 summits
2 new SOTA chaser badges
2 new SOTA activator badges
4 SI summits activated all uniques.
The KX2 still lives
Those of a nervous disposition, turn away now
sorry
