Meall a’ Ghiuthais ( Hill of the fir tree), 25th January 2026

The team met in a windy Coille na Glas Leitre Trails car park on the shores of Loch Maree. The cloud was on the tops and snow was lying on the higher ground.

After a round of hellos, introductions, and the obligatory head scratches for Orla and Skye, we had a brief review of the plan before heading out - not before admiring Dawn’s vintage ice axe with its wooden handle - a real treat to see.

Windy conditions were forecast (stronger in the morning but lessening throughout the day), so we set off with the aim of seeing what the weather had in store and how far we would be able to progress.

Stela, Gill, Richard (and Orla) Martin, May, Graham (and Skye), Chris, Dawn, Martyn and two prospective members Ivan and Ryan set off up the Mountain Trail on the Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve, beside the Alltan Mhic Eogheinn. The gentle path climbed easily through birch and pinewoods before steepening, gaining height quickly rewarded us with spectacular views across Loch Maree to the north; its surface clearly disturbed by the wind from up above.

On reaching the cairn at the summit of the trail and break was taken and a discussion on the route to the summit of Meall a’ Ghiuthais took place. It was very windy, and a decision was made to follow the route of a burn up the southeastern flank which was filled with snow. We hoped the strength of the wind would be less on that route.

Tea drunk and packs re-shouldered, the group headed down towards the frozen pools of Loch Allt an Daraich. Passing the loch and a quick hop over the burn brought us onto the slopes of Meall A’ Ghiuthais.

As the team ascended the snow became frozen and crampons and ice axes were used to reach the summit. As the snow hardened underfoot and the wind picked up, we soon encountered terrain coated in an impressive display of swirling hoar frost and ice feathers which clung to the surfaces of the rocks and ground underfoot.

At this point, Richard and Orla decided to head back down towards the loch, planning to meet up with the rest of the team later on in the day.

It was incredibly windy at the top, the team just managed to stay upright. A brief reprieve was found in the shelter of the summit cairn, allowing time for a hot drink and a snack before heading back out into the wind for the descent.

Contouring northeast across intermittent patches of knee-deep snow (involving some post-holing), it wasn’t long before the snow was left behind and we were able to remove crampons, and enjoy some post-Burns shortbread kindly brought along by Graham. After making it off the summit and through the wind and snow without issue, it was at this point that Skye decided it was time to reward herself by claiming the top half of Martyn’s sandwich, which disappeared in a flash.

Heading down, we soon rejoined Richard and Orla before linking back up with the Mountain Trail, moving NNE and descending alongside an impressive gorge while following the Allt na h-Airighe back towards the car park, reaching the cars around 14.30.

An exciting experience of a Scottish winter on the day of Burn’s night.

Words: Martyn and Ryan; Photos: Graham, Ivan, Ryan, Martin

Taking part: Stela, Gill, Richard, May, Martin, Graham, Chris, Dawn, Martyn,
prospective members Ivan and Ryan, and dogs Orla and Skye.