THE FISHERFIELD MUNROS
The Fisherfield 6 - the round of five Munros and one Corbett, is something akin to a rite of passage among hill goers. It’s a big day out and traditionally the distance is reduced by spending a night or two at Shenavall after approaching from Dundonnell. The alternative, and a good one if intent solely on Mullach Coire Mhic Fearchair and Beinn Tarsuinn, is to ride in from Kinlochewe. I didn’t have the bike, but decided a few miles running on the flat wouldn’t do me any harm. I also decided at the last minute to take the summits in an anticlockwise direction, and approach Mullach Coire Mhic Fearchair via Sgurr Dubh, which would be a new top for me. It proved to be the best of the day with a short section of airy scrambling reminiscent of the Aonach Eagach and a lovely ridge between the summits.
A 20m run with approx. 5,500ft ascent, with a gravel bike the distance could be reduced to something like 15m, and with a mountain bike, to something closer to 10m. On a good day, however they are approached, these are among the finest summits in Scotland and as on so many other days, I found myself wondering at the time it had taken me to return.
A repeat of the Fisherfield round has subsequently found it’s way back to the top of my list, perhaps with the addition of Beinn Dearg which seems to my mind at least, to sit naturally on what must be one of the all time great mountain days to be had in Scotland, or anywhere else for that matter.
