CMD

Carn Mor Dearg; Hill Big Red; Big Red Hill. The Munro book passes comment about the the pink quartzite of Carn Mor Dearg giving way to the grey Andesite of Ben Nevis. The contrast, despite the still healthy deposits of snow in places, was very obvious on this beautiful morning. I exchanged the weight of my ice axe for an even heavier SLR in my rucksack and this, and obvious concerns for Caley's safety on such steep hard packed snow, dictated that we returned via the route of ascent; not taking in the Ben via the sharp looking Carn Mor Dearg Arete which connects the two mountains. Caley has in any case done this already during summer months. This early morning walk was all about seeing the morning light hitting the north face of the Ben at an angle that would convey the incredible complexity of ridges, gullies and chutes which make up the north face  (which is actually north east facing).
This image is taken from the middle summit of CMD looking towards the highest summit. Ben Nevis is further on to the right. Its a shame many casual walkers keen to climb the Ben (the highest mountain in Scotland) via the grim tourist footpath will never get an appreciation of what a grand mountain they are standing on. 
What else? Oh aye, I have got to say a huge well done to Inverness Caley Thistle  on reaching the final of the Scottish Cup for the first time in their history. Apparently the semifinal, against one of the big Glasgow teams, was mired in controversy. The Glasgow team were reduced to ten men after their goal keeper committed a professional foul to prevent Caley scoring but various commentators speculated that they should actually have been reduced to 9 men had it not been for very lenient refereeing.
They now face a relatively small football club in the final and after this tremendous display must fancy their chances.