A FINE DAY among THE FANNICHS

Dominated by Sgùrr Mòr, the Fannichs offer what is arguably some of the finest hill running in Scotland. I’d intended to run the full ridge, taking in all of the Munros as well as the lower tops, but having driven north after supporting a BG on legs three and four, and then running a 30m route over Ben Alder the previous day, it was immediately apparent some adjustment to the plan was required.

With heavy legs but a light heart, I settled for the western tops, but couldn’t resist taking in Sgùrr Mòr before heading down via the rough drop from Meall a’ Chrasgaidh.

Broken cloud drifted among the summits but by early afternoon, the heat was oppressive. With the exception of two winter runs on the ridge, every day I have spent on The Fannichs has been the same, the Torridon hills shimmering beyond and even An Teallach somehow quashed beneath the harsh mid-summer sun.

I swam in the pools beneath Druim Rèidh before the end, the shock of cold water soon passing and soothing aching muscles, walking the last mile to Loch a’ Bhraoin to end another fine day among The Fannichs.