The previous day it was stormy on the Isle of Skye so this kept us off the hills. The weather forecast for this day showed slightly better conditions on the mainland so we crossed over to Kintail to climb the Graham, Biod an Fhithich.
I parked in the lay–by on the A87 Kyle of Lochalsh to Bun Loyne Road south of the old Achnagart Quarry in Glen Shiel. We then walked south on a wet path along the edge of a deer fence with a few pools of water to cross. It would have been easier and drier just to walk along the side of the main road which we did on our return.
At a gate in the deer fence we joined the stalker’s path which wound its way south-west before turning north-west below Meallan Odhar.
This was the main route to the Forcan Ridge and The Saddle. We encountered some rain, which turned to sleet and higher up snow, before clearing. An area of old soft snow was crossed before reaching the Bealach na Craoibhe.
From there we climbed the south ridge of Biod an Fhithich where there were traces of a path and a light covering of snow. It was a relatively easy ascent with a slight increase in the gradient just prior to reaching the summit cairn. As well as the Forcan Ridge and The Saddle there were good views north to Sgurr Mhic Bharraich, Loch Duich and Sgurr an Airgid and across Glen Shiel to the Five Sisters.
After a break at the summit we returned by the upward route encountering snow which lasted until we were well down the stalker’s path.
- Time taken – 3.25 hours.
- Distance – 6.5 kilometres.
- Height climbed – 600 metres.