23 June 2024 - Creagan a’ Beinne

The weather forecast was for a warm sunny day but being  a Sunday, we guessed the popular hills would be busy and best left until Monday. Creagan a’ Beinne from the track to Dunan Bothy seemed like a good choice even though it had been an early Corbett for us in October 1989. I remember approaching Claggan Farm to the cacophony of sheep being gathered and since our Border collie Morag was still with us (see Schiehallion post) Lynne stayed with her while I walked up to the farm. I explained where we were going, that we had a collie with us and didn’t want to cause him any problems. I got a friendly response and off we went. 

Today there was little activity around the farm and we were looking forward to a lovely day on the hills. Then, as we passed through a gate Lynne felt a twinge in her right foot. We thought nothing more about it and soon we left the track for the hill, finding our way through heather and blaeberry covered slopes. The views were superb. 

Ciste Buide a’ Claidheimh

The summit came into view and we strolled over short heather and grasses to the cairn, arriving together as usual.

It was a perfect day to be on a top, sitting by a cairn with tea, rolls and cake.

Ben Chonzie

Looking over Shee of Ardtalnaig to Meall Mor

All too soon it was time to go. We were looking forward to a leisurely descent but it was to be an excruciatingly painful one for Lynne. The ‘twinge’ had obviously been serious though she’d had no pain on the way up. Down we went, ever so slowly, with no stops in case Lynne was unable to start again. Reaching the track was welcome although, if anything, it made the pain worse. With boots off at the car we could see the foot was badly swollen and it seemed clear that there was tendon injury, though of course we had no idea the extent of the injury. Back at the motorcaravan I spoke with the site owner who was extremely helpful, announcing that his son was a paramedic! Soon he was examining Lynne’s foot, confirmed it was tendon injury and was fairly sure there was no structural damage to bones. And so it proved to be. The site owner had told us that we could leave the motorvan parked beside his for as long as we wanted, free of charge so we could drive home if necessary and come back for it when we could. Such kindness.

In the event we decided to stay and Lynne was able to get around quite quickly, though obviously not on hills! 

Fortunately, it only took a week for Lynne to recover - quick healer! Less fortunately, we are both now recovering from our first ever Covid infection!