From Corra Beinn with Loch Tarbert in the distance At the summit of Corra Beinn the wind is fierce. To the south west, the screes of Beinn Shiantaidh – toughest of The Paps of Jura. On the col between Beinn Shiantaidh and Corra Beiinn a cluster of lochan known as Lochanan Tana- silvered and mirroring the light. Mountains stark and beautiful. Finding what shelter we can amongst the summit rocks, we have lunch looking north toward Glenbatrick and the sea-loch of Loch Tarbert that almost bisects Jura. To the north, a sweep of high lochans and wilderness to the whirlpool of Corryvreckan
Today is my insight into The Paps of Jura, a recce for my friend. The weather this week is perfect for the arduous mountain walk he plans. The challenge lies in the rugged terrain, the steep-pitches of scree and the 5,000 feet of ascent and descent between the four Paps. Panoramas from the summits should be spectacular.
We come off Corra Beinn’s southern flank, looking toward those formidable screes of Beinn Shaintaidh – his ascent route.
The summit of Corra Beinn is shattered quartzite, mountain flora appears in the rocky zone of the descent route on the flank; fir club moss at a certain altitude, with magenta bell heather, crowberry and lichens.
Off the quartite, there’s a long boggy stretch of sedges and tussocks to meet up with the Evans Track, where it is perceptible. I hear the cry of a kestrel and look up to see it hovering low, in a tussle with a number of choughs.
On the drive back toward Craighouse we slow to a halt to watch a red deer grazing by the roadside. Jura is the island of deer, that’s the origin on the name- we had scanned the wilderness about Corra Beinn but had seen none. The late afternoon light is beautiful on the velvet of its antlers and its ears are almost translucent.
Down at sea-level the day was calm and still. Not on the summit of Corra Beiin.
We come off Corra Beinn’s southern flank, looking toward those formidable screes of Beinn Shaintaidh – his ascent route.
The summit of Corra Beinn is shattered quartzite, mountain flora appears in the rocky zone of the descent route on the flank; fir club moss at a certain altitude, with magenta bell heather, crowberry and lichens.
Off the quartite, there’s a long boggy stretch of sedges and tussocks to meet up with the Evans Track, where it is perceptible. I hear the cry of a kestrel and look up to see it hovering low, in a tussle with a number of choughs.
On the drive back toward Craighouse we slow to a halt to watch a red deer grazing by the roadside. Jura is the island of deer, that’s the origin on the name- we had scanned the wilderness about Corra Beinn but had seen none. The late afternoon light is beautiful on the velvet of its antlers and its ears are almost translucent.
Down at sea-level the day was calm and still. Not on the summit of Corra Beiin.
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