I’m on another MCSOTA trip to Plockton this weekend.
I’ve taken to activating rarely visited hills lately and yesterday’s target was GM/SI-144 Biod an Athair.
After a very wet journey to Plockton on Friday I was happy to wait until the rain stopped before setting out across Skye. The roads were in good shape and fun except for the last few miles up past Husabost which was quite broken up.
After a chat with farmer I was able to park the bike at the road end and set off.
The top is visible from where I parked and there is a track sets off but unfortunately doesn’t go very far, then it was trackless and boggy after the rain. It took me longer than I expected and was warm in the sunshine.
The wind got stronger as I got near the top and although I had read that the trig point was only 2m from the edge of the cliff, it was something else to actually stand 313m above the sea !
The views out to the Western Isles were spectacular as well as back to the Skye hills.
I dropped my pack a little way down the hill and tried my HT on 2m, I got a call from Graham @2M1GPR in Gairloch but nobody else on 2m.
I set up the dipole for HF and that’s where things went a bit astray. I usually guy the pole for the wind direction to keep it braced but the wind was swirling round and kept changing direction in the gusts. I must apologise to the chasers on 40m especially @GM5ALX Alex, who called just as it all collapsed in a heap. By the time I got it all rerigged 40m was quiet. Pete @GM7EEY was listening and came back to me with the 4th QSO. Given the shenanigans with the pole which collapsed a few more times. I kept it fairly short and had quick bursts on 15m and 20m which was more fruitful.
The sun disappeared and the wind got stronger and colder so I packed up and headed down.
The run back across Skye was dry and not too busy, back to Plockton for dinner and a blether with the rest of the gang who had a run out to the Fairy pools.
Back over to Skye on Sunday to GM/SI-054 for a complete hopefully.
Andy
MM7MOX
