Snap, crackle and pop on Cnoc Mor

Hill: Cnoc Mor
Category: Sub2000/Marilyn
Height: 269m

The Start

It was a beautiful autumn day so dragged the good lady out for another shortish walk.
We followed the Walkhighlands route from the Blackmuir Wood Forestry car park. There are a large number of tracks here but head back to way in, turn right and on course.

Super carvings

Before long we reached the amazing wooden carvings. We could hear a chainsaw, another carving in progress?
However, to continue, make a short back track which takes us to the track marked Knockfarrel. Spotted some Dunnock on the path, nice.

Touchstone Maze

This is a pleasant walk in the sunshine, gradual ascent which brings us to the superb Touchstone Maze. The stones are examples of the different types of rock that make up Scotland, and they are aligned with the solstices and important pagan festivals. A buzzard’s haunting cry above us seemed appropriate.
I would need a map describing each stone to fully appreciate it but what a good idea. 
Spotted a pair of Treecreeper’s nearby my first for a long while.

Track to Knockfarrel

Now a long section on a good path giving excellent views below to Strathpeffer and beyond to Ben Wyvis, I have to say that from this angle it is not looking like a significant Munro, I will find out tomorrow on my solo trip.

The Saddle

Now at the saddle and continue up Knockfarrel, crossing the vitrified stones and the views don’t disappoint. The farming rich land laid out below, smallish fields which I like. Haystacks everywhere along with lots of cattle, pigs and some alpaca. A very good place for a lookout post in days gone by.
A raven comes calling from Wyvis direction and is ambushed by three red kites. Some stunning diving and twisting as they chase the raven off, don’t see that very often. 

Undulating high track to Cnoc Mor

Retrace back down to the info board and then up the next slope taking the ridge to Cnoc Mor, our main objective of the day. 
It is mainly a good path but undulating steeply at times. There are regular dumps of fresh black scat (some with berries in it) along the path, fox I wonder?
At this point and for the rest of the walk we are joined with the constant sound of  ‘snap, crackle and pop’. After a while we realised it was coming from the broom pods, what an interesting sound that I cannot recall hearing before. Wonder if it is the heat combined with time of year?
At the crossroads the last chance for the good lady to descend but no, onwards she comes. Cleggs are out in force but not biting yet.

Cnoc Mor trig, track is in the trees

Finally up another steep slope and hidden in the trees is the trig, I worried we were going to have a Mount Eagle search again. A speckled wood butterfly lands on the ground beside me to sunbathe.

Speckled Wood

Cross the stile then take the obvious trail meandering down the steep slope, could be fun on a wet day, to rejoin the main track not far from the carvings. 
Overall an excellent short walk.
Wildlife: Treecreeper, Buzzard, Red Kite, Raven, Dunnock, Speckled Wood butterfly.
Time: 2.28
Ascent: 256m
Distance: 7.6k