Hill: Fionn Bheinn (White Hill)
Type: Munro
Height: 933m
Final walking day of my short trip to Torridon with the ADRC. When I woke the skies were a cloudless blue, perfect.
As I was starting this ramble on my holiday doorstep my fellow walkers were journeying to me so not the same manic rush to get ready. Fionn Bheinn was our objective, a Munro that is technically part of the Fannichs range albeit the other nine have a loch separating them. It is the only Munro that starts with the letter F.
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| Long distance but the herd can be seen grazing upper green section |
A few days ago I had spotted a herd of around 40 red deer on the village side slopes so optimistic for a sighting on the hill.
The last time I climbed the initial section up beside the gorge it had been an absolute mud-fest but today was much drier and better going. What was missing was the birdsong in the trees, vibrant and alive last time but silent today. Of course a couple of cuckoos were doing their thing so not full on silence.
Reached the water works and followed the trail to the right. After yesterdays boulder and scree terrain the feet were delighted to be walking on soft ground.
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| Track will veer right but then more direct to summit ahead |
What was unexpected was a path of sorts leading quite a way up the hill. It does not follow the expected Walkhighlands route up to the ridge but more of a direct assault. But one would be a fool not to take advantage of it plus I would no doubt have had a few moans behind me if I veered off the track onto rough peat hagged moorland.
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| The Torridon giants show themselves |
As we climbed the views were wonderful and ever changing. We were not alone on the hill so with the perfect visibility we had a clear view of where those ahead were going. Plenty of pauses to regather energy as well as take in these views.
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| Loch Fannich and some of the 9 behind |
The track petered out but we were almost at the top so veered right up to the ridge and the magnificent views downwards of the blue water of Loch Fannich as well as the other nine Fannichs in the range across the water.
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| View to the Fisherfields but not my snap, one of the group must have loaded it to the Whats App chat |
A pleasant stroll and the trig was reached. We hunkered down on the far side for lunch out of the cooler breeze but no hardship as the views were absolutely stunning. Anyone who uses this an easy short bagging hill in poor weather is off their head to miss this vista. Nearby the Torridon giants, further afield the Fisherfields, An Teallach and so much more. Looking back the lump of Ben Wyvis is prominent.
For the descent I considered the circular option but I knew we had to go through a deforested area with no mention of a path. From here the section could be seen but it had been replanted with new trees visible. So safety first we walked the ridge where looking back it showed the best view of Fionn Bheinn, a curving ridge and the crags of Toll Mor.
We then cut back on the flanks of Creagan nan Laogh to cover some rough ground before re-joining the upward track.
This was now the most humid part of the day so the descent was harder work than it should have been.
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| The hamlet of Achnasheen lies below |
We were also keeping an eye on the Midge Bite cafe where there was a distinct lack of parked cars. A quick check on Google to find it was closed today so no coffee and cake to finish, a few points knocked off my guiding score.
Apart from that it was an excellent ramble, good company with plenty of laughter, special views, so all in all a good day out.
Ascent: 797m
Distance: 10.2km
Time: 5.16
Wildlife: Meadow Pipit; Pied Wagtail; Cuckoo (h)
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