Hills:
Li a'Tuath (North Lee) [Marilyn],
Li a'Deas (South Lee) [Marilyn],
Burabhal (Burrival) [HuMP],
Eabhal (Eaval) [Marilyn]
Date: Tuesday 17th August 2010
Company: Beinn (for Burabhal and Eabhal)
Dog friendly: Yes (several fences en-route to Lees but all have gates)
Time walking: 8Hrs 30Mins


After two days of clag, with limited views, today was a lovely day. To make the most of the good weather, I set off walking at 06:00am. I parked opposite the mobile phone transmitter on the A867, approximately 1.5 miles from Lochmaddy. There is parking there for two cars. I made the route up as I went along.

Click here to see a map of the routes undertaken
 
The walk in towards North Lee and South Lee was better than expected, albeit quite wet underfoot.

North Lee from near start of walk:
 

Despite North Lee and South Lee being situated really close to Lochmaddy, several sea lochs lie between Lochmaddy and these hills. It is essential to skirt round the end of the sea loch Bagh Leirabhagh prior to heading towards the Lees.

Skirting the end of the sea loch Bagh Leireabhagh:


Bagh Leireabhagh:
 

As I made my way towards the Lees, the light started to improve.

North Lee:


South Lee:


I didn't take Beinn on this walk, as I saw several fences on the 1:25000 map. The route is however dog-friendly as all of the fences have gates.

Looking across Eilean Leirabhagh towards Lochmaddy:


As I passed close to Lochmaddy, I could see the Calmac ferry getting ready to depart. The sound of early morning birdsong was broken by the sound of vehicles boarding the ferry.

Calmac ferry at Lochmaddy:


As I walked towards North and South Lee, I heard an unusual sound overhead. I looked up to see an eagle above me. By the time I got my camera out it had disappeared behind some knolls. The weather continued to improve with blue skies now overhead.

North Lee:


South Lee:


During the ascent of North Lee, I watched the Calmac ferry depart from Lochmaddy.

Calmac ferry departing from Lochmaddy:


During the ascent I also stopped to take photos of Marilyns I ascended two days previous.

Crogary na Hoe:


Beinn Mhor:


Crogary Mor:


On reaching the ridge of North Lee, I decided to head for the North-top of North Lee first. I am glad that I visited this top as the views are better than the views from the summit.

Eaval and North Lee from North top of North Lee:


Eaval from North top of North Lee:


From the North-top of North Lee, I followed a line of bamboo-cane flags towards the summit of North Lee.

Lochmaddy from summit of North Lee:


The summit of North Lee is a rock. The small cairn lies below the summit.

South Lee from summit of North Lee (Eaval in background):


I descended from North Lee, again following the line of bamboo-cane flags. When the descent changed from rock to grass, I took a more direct line towards Loch Lee.

South Lee:


I walked along the length of Loch Lee, which is situated between North Lee and South Lee. The loch has a dyke at both ends.

Loch Lee:


Loch Lee:


I ascended South Lee from the East-end of Loch Lee. The ascent was quite straight-forward.

Looking back to North Lee:


Lochmaddy from summit of South Lee:


North Lee from summit of South Lee:


A minute or so after departing the summit of South Lee, I looked up to see the eagle. This time I was fortunate enough to get the camera out just in time before it disappeared out of view.

Eagle above summit of South Lee:


Eagle (zoomed):


From the summit of South Lee, I decided to also ascend the South-top of South Lee. Again, it is worth taking in this top for better views than the actual summit.

South Lee from South top of South Lee:


Eaval from South top of South Lee:


Loch Euphort from South top of South Lee:


I descended directly from the South-top of South Lee. The ascent was very easy down a nice grassy slope.

Loch Hundair from descent from South top of South Lee

During the descent I looked up to again see the eagle. I was like the cat that got the cream when it was joined by a second and then a third eagle.

Eagles:


Eagles:


On reaching the base of South Lee, I crossed a grassy area making my way back towards my in-bound route.

Grassy walk back from base of South Lee:


Ruin near sea loch:


Sea loch:


My feet were really wet by the time I was walking out but I wasn't caring. I was having a great day.

Walk back alongside Bagh Leireabhagh:


Looking back to North Lee and South Lee from start of walk:


On getting back to the car, I went back to Lochmaddy for a change of socks and to pick up Beinn before heading back out for another walk. I drove to the end of the road alongside Loch Euphort for my ascent of Eaval. There is parking there for around 10 cars.  

I was surprised to find a quite obvious path for the walk-in to Eaval.

Eaval from near start of walk:


The walk-in was very hot with the sun shining overhead. Beinn jumped in several lochans to cool down.

Stepping stones:


Burrival:


During the walk-in I decided to ascend the HuMP Burrival.

Eaval from summit of Burrival:


South Lee from summit of Burrival:


I found the grassy line during the descent. Burrival is a rocky hill.

Looking back at descent from Burrival:


The walk-in to the base of Eaval took longer than I had expected. Lots of ups and downs along a very muddy path.

Eaval:
 

The ascent of Eaval was straight-forward. I passed several groups coming down as I was heading-up.

Ascent of Eaval:


Looking East from Eaval:


Skye from Eaval:


I spent around 20 minutes at the summit of Eaval. Time to take several photos and to take care of a blister. Burrival, South Lee,

North Lee and distant Harris hills from Eaval:


Looking towards Beinn Mhor on South Uist:


St. Kilda looked quite impressive from the summit of Eaval. Better views than from the South Harris hills. I have adjusted the contrast in the following photo to improve the visibility.

St. Kilda from summit of Eaval:


I descended Eaval via the same route.

Lochans, lochans and more lochans:


Looking back to Eaval:


Instead of ascending Burrival on the way back, I skirted round the base of it. Was glad to eventually reach the car.

A wonderful day.