walking after sunset Moonwalking Alan Rowan’s new book, Moonwalker, details his experiences climbing ’s by night. We invited him to nominate Scotland finest peaks for moonlit mountain walks

Beinn a’Ghlo path into Coire Ardair gives a fast and The ‘mountain of the mist’ gives comfortable approach with new joys a superb night-time expedition – and appearing at every twist and turn, and you get three Munros into the bargain. the deep V notch of The Window Take the track from Loch Moraig, lures you on with every step. The then a good path north-east up Carn little loch under the cliffs is the first Liath and when you hit the rocky to catch the early rays of sunlight summit plateau you are greeted by and is a perfect rest spot before the the sun pushing up from beneath the steep climb to the vast expanse of horizon straight ahead. The next two the summit plateau. And there is no peaks look stunning in stark silhouette anti-climax to this walk – the stroll against the morning sky, and the down the long north-east ridge into constant colour changes and rivers of the rising sun is a magnificent way to cloud washing over the ridges as you finish the day. walk round in a clockwise direction put a spring in your step. Superb paths, a grand feeling of Seana Bhraigh space and a fast ascent make this an A superb mountain from any ideal candidate for a moonlight yomp. direction but the Inverlael approach From the shores of Loch Quoich on just edges it for a night walk. Good the Kinloch Hourn road, a stalker’s paths lit by moonlight lift you on to path wends its way up by the easiest the Druim na Saobhaidhe spur and line, gaining height quickly, until it when the dawn starts to rise, the light pushes out on to the south-west on and the Fannichs ridge. You are now looking down on behind you is a real head-turner. The the curious little sliver of the loch line of little lochs in Coire an Lochain thousands of feet below. The beehive Sgeirich sparkle like jewels and the cairn at the top is a great place to sit short-clipped grass underfoot has a and watch the day wake up, with Ben yellow wash. The summit cairn at the Nevis and the Aonachs showing on edge of the cliffs is a superb breakfast the far horizon. The walk round to the spot with views over the corrie bowl to next peak, Spidean Mialach, keeps a Creag an Duine. Just watch out for the great day alive. local goats trying to grab your food! Sgurr nan Stob Coire Sgriodain Ceathreamhnan Sitting high above Loch Treig This massive mountain dominates and the West Highland rail line, this its surroundings deep in the heart The ‘mountain of Above summit is one of the very best for an of the area, with all the Rising sun seen from early breakfast. Start at Fersit just off other peaks looking as if they are the mist’ gives summit of Carn Liath the A86 east of and take bowing to its superiority. Okay, it’s a superb night on Beinn a’ Ghlo the path south by the stream tumbling a long way in, but it’s well worth right down down from Lochan Coire an all the effort. Coming over from time expedition Techicolour skies Lochain before breaking off west to Mullach na Dheiragain many years – and you get over Beinn a’ hit the main spine of the ridge. The ago, the fiery early sky made it look Ghlo peaks Easains are prominent on your right as if Ceathreamhnan was on fire, three Munros and it’s a short, easy walk over stony the slopes burning red as I made my into the bargain ground to the little rocky eyrie where way up to the summit, while behind you can sit in the sunshine and watch golden rays of sunlight burnished the the early trains, looking more like whole landscape. The views from the Hornby miniatures, running along the top as the emerging day washes over loch-side 3,000 feet below. the jumble of peaks are superb in every direction. Moonwalker: Adventures of a Midnight An old favourite, bringing Mountaineer is published on 15 May by superlatives at any time but even Backpage Press. Look out for a longer feature better by moonlight. The excellent article in the next issue of The Great Outdoors

18 The Great Outdoors Spring 2014 Sunrises & sunsets

Ullapool () Llanberis (wales) May 1 05.26 21.08 May 1 05.41 20.45 May 15 04.55 21.38 May 15 05.16 21.09 My 28 04.32 22.03 My 28 04.59 21.28

Ambleside (Lake district) Truro (Cornwall) May 1 05.32 20.45 May 1 05.54 20.39 May 15 05.05 21.10 May 15 05.32 21.00 My 28 04.47 21.31 My 28 05.17 21.17

Whitby (North Yorks) May 1 05.22 20.36 May 15 04.56 21.01 My 28 04.37 21.21

Spring 2014 The Great Outdoors 19