The Isle of Skye

May 1997

We arrived on Skye looking forward to putting into practice all that we had planned in the months leading up to it. Bivvy equipment was all packed ready for our attempt on the traverse of the Main Cuillin Ridge.

The accommodation at the Old School House near Carbost, situated between the Talisker distillery and the Cuillin ridge proved to be just perfect. However, after a good first night we awoke to find a blanket of snow on the hills and all of our planning was suddenly reduced to dreams.

We managed to get out and do something each day and had some great nights warmed by roaring log fires, laughing at tales of Billy Blue Face and doing our best to help the ailing Scottish malt whisky industry.

The weather on our penultimate full day was good and we decided to make one final attempt to gain the ridge. Our route up Bruache na Frithe was excellent and the feeling of exhilaration on gaining the summit was immense.

After an excellent last night party Bob turned to Ian and myself and asserted that there was no way he would be driving the first leg of the journey home the next day. Next morning he took one look at the two sub human creatures attempting to clean the place up, which mainly consisted of walking aimlessly behind Keith watching him do the work, grabbed the car keys and with a commendable attitude proclaimed 'I'll drive'.

Such is the special spirit that exists between us mountaineers.