Over the Easter bank holiday weekend, a group of us went for a mini holiday up to the Isle of Skye in Scotland. We went with the intention of walking up some mountains (or Munros, Corbetts and Grahams as I've learned they're called!) and that's exactly what we did. This post is about our day spent ascending the Black Cuillin. The whole mountain range is called the Cuillin but there are two separate sections. The Red Cuillin which is lower and paler as they're made of granite. The Black Cuillin which is also known as the True Cuillin is made up of twelve munros which are a deep black colour which as you can see creates a very dangerous, foreboding appearance so it comes as no surprise that the legend goes they're haunted by the ghost of an outlaw named MacRaing...
The sight of them was just something else. It was a relatively bright day when we arrived but looking up at the peaks it looked like a different world. The tops had a thick mist hanging over them and a sprinkling of snow which looked very pretty when you're on ground level but we were soon to find out was not so fun once you're up there!
The journey up was quite light hearted to begin with but the severity of the incline soon started to show on me. That's my weakness, I cannot deal with going up hill! I put it down to my little legs and little lungs, both of which were put to the test.
As we ascended into the mist the weather changed and we found ourselves being snowed on at one point!
A whiskey break was required half way up!
The summit that we reached was very strange. It was this plateau which contained a large body of clear water, surrounded by the peaks of the mountain range. It was otherworldly, as if we'd reached some version of Heaven. It was also very humbling to be surrounded by these huge, looming mountains. To look at them you'd think these ancient giants must surely move and make some kind of noise. It's amazing that they've just stood silent and still for so many, many years. The things they must have seen!
What an experience to have been all the way up into the clouds. It was very difficult but I'm incredibly pleased to have done it and would suggest to anyone that you see this mountain range if ever you're on the island.
oxoxo
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