Had the devil of a job finding Craig, the starting point. I had expected a road sign on entering the place but all I could see were signs saying Achnashellach. Looking at my map I saw that Achnashellach was a mile or two further on than Craig so assumed I had gone too far. Going back up the road, however, got me nowhere so I had to return to "Achnashellach" where I saw a sign for a hostel with the word Craig in small print underneath. Realised too that the reference on the right stating Achnashellach was in fact an indicator as to the woods (and car park) rather than the "town". So a bit of a delay in parking and getting started. A very long but easy path but as usual I missed the side path leading to the Bealach Bhearnais and had to cross some rough ground to get to the rather unusual two wire bridge. This, a sign advises, you use at your own risk. Fortunately the river was very low and I could walk across it. Behind me on the path I noticed a crowd of youths beside some tents and further up the path was passed by a crowd of girls, presumably part of the group. I had originally intended simply to go straight up the corrie but it looked horribly grassy and steep. Also it was such a nice day and I was in no hurry so decided to continue up the path to the bealach. This was very pleasant and led easily to the west ridge where there was a path. This was interesting going up what was effectively a series of bumps (you keep thinking the next one is going to be the top) with a couple of rocky bits requiring some mild scrambling. On the way I was passed by a guy who was hoping also to do Maoile Lunndaidh. Cairn right at the edge of the summit.
First a walk of a couple of hundred yards along the top of Sgurr Choinnich to reach a rocky path leading fairly quickly down to the col. From here it is an easy walk, though with a few rocky outcrops to manoeuvre, up to a large circular cairn, with room to sit inside. Saw two other people coming off Sgurr Choinnich and hoped they would reach me before finishing lunch, to take a photo. But they never did. Beautiful views all round. The book tells you to go down the north ridge which was easy to find in the good weather and to veer north west after three quarters of a kilometre (how on earth do you know when you have walked ¾ kilometre?). I think I might have gone fractionally too far or come down a bit too much northwards but found slopes anything but easy. Nice and grassy but very steep and it was painfully slow. Near the bottom I could see on the path the guy I had met earlier. He was searching in the grass and came out with a bike - crafty bugger. When I reached the path myself I could see two other people coming off the hill more correctly on a NW line and could see how I had gone too far north. Not sure it made a great deal of difference in the end as it looked like they would have more rough ground to cross at the bottom than I had. The walk back was long but not too bad especially as the latter part is all downhill. Met the guy with the bike, mending a puncture. He had come off the top via the long northwest ridge but decided against climbing Maoile Lunndaidh. Planned to use the bike and do it the next day. Relief to get back to the car and the drive back to Poolewe.
