Pushing the Boat Out

With summer well under way, it was time for another rock climbing expedition. This time my partner Max and I joined up with some friends in Inverness. Everyone in the party was a far more experienced climber than me, so I headed into the trip feeling a little self-conscious.

Ever since I sprained my ankle in a climbing mishap last year, I’ve been battling my fear on the wall. It’s taken me months to get to a stage where I’m cautiously confident, so I promised myself I would only take on routes I knew were in my reach. The goals of the day for me were meeting fellow climbers, getting some exercise and being outside in fresh Scottish air.

The location was decided: Creag Bheag, more commonly known as The Mound. This crag stands at the northwest corner of Loch Fleet near the village of Golspie in Sutherland. It’s an unusual kind of rock I’d never seen before called conglomerate rock, meaning it’s made up of pebbles and boulder fragments and glued together by compacted sand and clay.

The result is a crag that looks like rough concrete so isn’t the prettiest, but luckily for a climbing novice like me it means there are countless holds to choose from. Surrounded by greenery, it wasn’t long before wildlife appeared around us: an osprey hunted over the surface of the loch and a bright yellow brimstone moth settled on the crag.

At The Mound, the climbing routes are loosely arranged in order of difficulty, so I could start at the far left and nudge my way right. Routes are grouped into colours similar to skiing, with level 2 greens being the easiest at this site. I was comfortable on level 4s and keen to conquer at least a couple today.

I also got lots of practice belaying. This is what the person on the ground does, feeding the right amount of rope to the climber and ensuring they don’t fall far if they slip. It’s a daunting concept, holding the life of a loved one in your hands! I’d belayed a few times before but this was the most I’d done in one day, so the regular practice helped me nail my technique.

When leading a route, Max needed slack in the rope to reach the first bolt. This is why our friend Stephen (below left) was there to spot him initially, before Max attached the first quickdraw and I could pull the rope taut.

We spent a full day at The Mound, taking it in turns to climb and belay. I was really chuffed to complete four routes, with time in between for resting, nibbling Krispy Kreme doughnuts and soaking up the sun.

There was a dicey moment when my rope got snagged around a rock and I couldn’t unhook it. The added tension meant I was being pulled to the side, not up – a very unpleasant feeling! – and I was anxious about how much I might swing if I let go, but I managed to creep my way back to a good position and abseil to the ground.

It doesn’t sound like much to stress over, but in the past I’ve been thrown by far less, so I was proud of myself for staying calm and dealing with something unexpected.

It had already been an intense day, but the adventure wasn’t over. After leaving The Mound, we journeyed 15 miles further northwest to the village of Lairg, overlooking Loch Shin, for a paddle in our canoes. As I huddled on the shore squinting against the wild winds, I wondered if this was such a great idea.

But the sun was warm and we had all the kit with us. It was now or never. The last time we took our canoe out on the water, I was slapping sun cream on my shoulders. On this occasion, I donned a fetching fisherman-style raincoat.

It was a wobbly launch, but so much fun after that! As long as we stayed perpendicular to the waves, we cruised across the loch splash-free. Max was belly-laughing behind me and it was one of those giddy, joyful moments where I felt like a child again. I relished the sight of the bubbles churning in the wake of the paddles and the slosh of water hitting the canoe.

I hadn’t been all that keen standing on the beach, but I’m so glad we went for it. I’d pushed the boat out literally and figuratively speaking today, taking on challenges and savouring such rewarding experiences as a result.

Once we were all back on dry land, it was time to light the fire pit and cook sausages on long metal forks. This was a day trip tradition for the group that I was all too happy to be a part of.

We chatted around the fire, squeezing our eyes shut whenever the breeze whipped up flakes of ash, and shared our climbing wish lists. Max wants to take on the Old Man of Stoer, a formidable 60-metre sea stack standing off Scotland’s west coast. I’m happy sticking to level 4s; hopefully growing in confidence and strength, but mostly just enjoying being on the wall and immersing myself in nature from a whole new perspective.

Two Different Dips

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Jun 20

I’m always looking for opportunities to spend time in open water as well as beside it. For my first wild swim of the year, I had my sights set on Llyn Dinas, a small lake in Gwynedd, North Wales.