Caithness Waybaggers - Crofts of Ben-a-chielt to Rumster
2 March 2002

Six intrepid souls set off on a pretty threatening morning from Forse House heading to the Niandt to Corr old road ( now is mostly overgrown by whins) which we followed up to the Corr.  On route we stopped for a wee while to have a look at the hut circles and broughs.  The weather was deteriorating fast as we gained height towards Ben-a-chielt and by the time we reached the 287m trig point it was blowing a blizzard with visibility down to pea soup proportions.  We sheltered in the lee side of a building to have a quick hot drink to see if the conditions would clear but alas no and we set off to Rumster. 

A bit of compass work by a "failed orienteerer from Newton Hill" got us to the Rumster deer fence but a bit too far on the west side of the gate and we opted too come in to the forest, or what remains of it, from the west side where we sheltered under the mature tree canopy to have lunch.  

Conditions  improved slightly with the snow changing to rain and the range of visibility improving rapidly.  We then picked up the track and made our way down past the Outdoor Centre (shame that this building has been allowed to deteriorate) and returned in glorious sunshine to Forse House.   All the seasons in one days walk!!!