After a string of so-so days this was perfect, even at the
end of October several people found it rather warm for hard
walking - and hard walking was what we did. A fine turnout
of seventeen explorers and seven adults: Abbie, Alasdair,
Alexander, Alexandria, Allan, Benjamin, Calum, Chloe, Chris,
Elliot, Isobel, JD, John Donaldson, Robin D., Ruby, Sarah
and Thomas; with Andrew, Andy, Becky, Chris, Pamela, Philippa
and Sandra and four dogs: Bruce, Ellie, Lady and Toby.
I thought I had established that nobody would be using the
beach access so we parked at the end of the road, a bad mistake
on my part, as it turned out. The tide was falling fast but
we still had to take a short cut to get across the top of
the beach. The first objective was the hill marked as Carn
Mor on the map but locally known as Sappers' Hill after army
activity there.
It was a long and weary climb to the top of the hill, but
clear skies and a perfect view out to the islands rewarded
us. There was hardly a ripple on the sea and the wind vanes
on Muck were not turning. Everyone took a rest and a snack
at this point and the expedition was recorded on several cameras.
When we all felt ready, we set off down the seaward side of
the hill, led by Sandra, who knew the ground. Although it
was still damp and slippery underfoot, nobody fell on the
descent and we soon got down to the coast. I was the only
one who knew how to find the cave so people waited for me
and luckily it turned up where I expected it.
Everyone climbed down to the cave entrance and I read a bit
about local smugglers and told them about the two big men
reputed to use the cave for smuggling. Then we went through
the cave and over the treacherous rocks down to the sea. I
was somewhat apprehensive but everyone took good care and
we got away with only one slightly bashed knee.
Then we followed the old smuggler's track to the next bay,
where I think it is likely the MacIans kept their boat. People
took another rest here before we crossed a very boggy area
and then over the hill to the beach.
When we reached the cars, we found a (justifiably) very angry
man who had been blocked from leaving by our cars and was
waiting for us to get back. I apologised profusely but couldn't
calm him down. This was a double shame since, in spite of
all the exciting finds of the day, most of the explorers decided
to do a drawing of the angry man. John Dye
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