I found Loch Gainaimhaich in Fisherfield on the map and thought that it looked promising.

It is in a part of Wester Ross that is seldom visited, as the “honey pot” hills are all further inland to the East. There are 2 tracks up the Gruinard River and we took the one to the north of the river that is less well made. It climbs steeply over rough ground for a mile or so before dropping down to a sheltered glen, we had good views to the south and east with some of the larger Fisherfield hills appearing on the skyline. Our first surprise was an old clearance village of maybe 10 houses in this south-facing glen, lazy beds all around us on the hill and even a “village street” leading down to the burn. Surprisingly after we crossed the rocks at the ford the track was much better made in the “Victorian” stalking path style. Another mile or so and we came to the remote shepherds bothy that would have been built after the clearance, several substantial buildings and a large fank sat on the floor of another fertile south facing glen. We lost the track for a while here but found it again on the way up to the Loch. I had hoped, (from the map), for a good view of the western buttresses of An Teallach along the length of the Loch but an endless vista to the south east with Coire Mhic Fearchair, Beinns Dearg Mhor and Beag, Am Mhaighaidean and Rhu Stac Mhor all reflected in the glassy stillness of the water opened up ahead of us. “Triptych material” we agreed and this was the inspiration for “Fisherfield Hills”, “An Teallach from the west” and “Dark Strath”

June 2002