It's a long walk to a very remote Munro.....Seana Bhraigh

Hill: Seana Braigh (The Old Height)

Type: Munro

Height: 926m

This Munro would not have a lot going for it other than it is one of the longest walks to bag a single Munro. It can be accessed from Inverlael or Oykel and a bike can be used from Oykel but this route could involve a scramble that a lot of walkers might not fancy.

The SMC book describes it as ‘occupying a remote position in true wilderness’, spot on.

Both routes are long walk ins/out. I joined the majority and hiked in from Inverlael.

It was another cracking blue sky day and although I was travelling as light as possible the rucksack still felt too heavy. Well laden with fluids, liquid rather than food today's priority.

Cairn to turn off spot bikes hidden behind tree

A couple of miles of fairly flat walking and then there is the steep section that gained height quickly and got my lungs and heart working hard. Leaving the trees behind and out into the open, exposed to the sun, moorland. 

No hazard today. Bikers just ahead.

The route guide mentioned the possible hazard of a swollen water crossing which thankfully today was negligible, minimal water flowing.

Seana Bhraigh summit on left, a few more hours before reaching it

Another dried up burn, heading up through the boulder field

After a couple of hours of walking on a good ascending gradient we stopped for refreshments at a small dried up lochan. The summit target had been briefly sighted but it would be quite a while before we saw it again.

Then we headed to cross the pathless section which despite some small cairns could indeed be very difficult route finding in bad weather. Indeed not all the cairns lined up together, not good in bad weather and one possible route leads to crags not marked on the map.

SB summit on left route goes right of gully

Cracking view down the glen, Coigath prominent

Then there was the unwanted descent which gave a good look up the ascent route up the side of the impressively steep north facing cliffs of Cadha Dearg.

Impressive crags

Wider shot into the glen

Looking over it was a long way down into the barren ground of Glen Douchary.

Ptarmigan in summer gear

They were nor sure where to go when they ran off as a walker on the summit

A track of sorts took us up to the rocky slopes from where you can go all the way up to the south top. But we contoured the slopes where amongst the rocks a Ptarmigan appeared. By the time I got the camera out it had moved but luckily just snapped it when two heads appeared in the photo on the ridge. It was a pair of red deer hinds, the 1^st red deer that I have seen for yonks.

Another track was stumbled across which took a short descent before heading up the final 70m of ascent to the summit. Always the hardest part that final ascent.

The cairn is sited at the edge of the precipitous cliffs of Luchd Choire, be very careful, looking straight down was not good for my vertigo.

View from cairn Assynt peaks magnificent

Panorama back over Beinn Dearg group with Fannichs behind on right

Panorama with An Teallach on left

The views north to the mighty peaks of Assynt and Coigath were a fine reward for the effort.

Looking north, Oykel track leading to Loch a' Choire Mhoir

Scramble that ridge from Oykel if you want

On the way back there are superb views of the Beinn Dearg group and to the left of them is the Munro of Am Faochagach.

Getting there the trees hopefully will provide shade. An Teallach behind.

The return was via the outward route but it felt a lot longer walking back. Very hot at times but luckily there was some options to take on fresh water.

I will be honest to say that this was the toughest Munro that I have done for a long time. It was not just the walk length, which is long, but the length of time spent on poor terrain or a narrow hard path which seemed to last for ever. It didn’t help that I was feely chesty so not on top form. Still not a shabby time so the pace remained high throughout.

Luckily I got the weather to appreciate the great views that were alongside throughout the walk but I can’t see me doing it again.

Ascent: 1195m

Distance: 28.2km

Time: 8.45

Wildlife: Raven; Common Frog; Golden Plover; Ptarmigan; Tortoiseshell; Small White; Speckled?; Meadow Pipit;

Top views but only after a long, long walk in.....Beinn Mhanach

Hill: Beinn Mhanach (Hill of the Monk)

Type: Munro

Height: 953m

Another stunning blue sky morning without a cloud in the sky, which in this part of the world, usually means cold and it was, very.

Another Plan B day, very high winds forecast so changed my plan. I had this down on my planner as a Bike/hike route due to the length of hard packed track that had to be walked. But I did not have my bike with me but too good an opportunity to miss.

I parked up at the scrape on the main road to Bridge of Orchy beside the entrance to the Auch estate and as I changed it was clear but chilly.

My target in the distance, mighty Beinn Dorain on the left

I walked down the private road to the Auch estate where in the morning light I could see my target. To be fair I could see quite a few Munros & Corbetts nearby but none of these were mine. Look carefully and that one way in the distance is where I am heading. 5 miles each way to the base of the hill and back, a long walk hence the original bike/hike plan.

Train crossing the viaduct Beinn Mhanach the right of the two hills

All the construction works at Auch look complete, a lot of dosh has been spent here. Farm buildings and modern housing. Reading later another foreign landowner.

Ruined cottage of Duncan Ban MacIntyre ahead. Beinn a' Chuirn on right

I entered Auch Glen and was immediately out of the sun mainly due to the great bulk of the Corbett Beinn a’ Chaisteil. The wind was blowing through the glen so jacket on as well, it would be an hour before the sun warmed me again.

The Allt Kinglass river is crossed 4 times and was higher than I expected. Pushing a heavy Emtb would probably have involved wet feet but would have been worth it.

Auch Glen is a nice glen hemmed in by big hills but it is kind of same old, just me and the sheep. As well as the view ahead which was not shabby.

Beinn an Dothaidh left centre & Beinn Achaladair right

On my hike in an estate vehicle drove past me, a lift might not have been turned down but it was not offered.

Left side of burn for me

Finally after just under two hours I reached the base of the hill beside the weir.

Now the hard work really begins. A direct ascent of 480m if you take it head on. There is no standard route up the hill and according to the reports that I read no path, a free for all up unrelenting steep grassy slopes. But that is not quite true, more of which later.

Looking at the map I had decided that I would ascend via the left hand side of the Allt a’ Chuirn burn all the way to the top. More the SMC route than Walkhighlands. This actually proved a good choice. Steep it was, huffing and puffing I was but looking at the slopes on the right hand side they looked steeper.

The going was pretty good mainly short grass and moss, not the tussocks I recall from climbing the Corbett across the way. But there was still a lot of huffing and puffing and short pauses.

Crossed the burn then headed up to the top

The only issue with my route was that it was forcing me away from the summit but I wanted to get to the top of the burn before heading for the hill. From this approach I could see that the Walkhighlands route is more direct and much steeper. I had also spotted a fence on the other side which I decided I would use for my descent.

Finally flattens off as cairn comes into view

Once I crossed the burn I had an easier walking gradient to the plateau and then onto the cairn. 1hour 35m, I don't think the direct route would have been much quicker but would have been undoubtedly harder.

Ben Nevis through the gap

Beinn a' Chreachain looking impressive

View South

View West

Although there was a haze the 360deg views were magnificent. It is mainly a stand alone hill albeit surrounded by its nearby cluster of Munros & Corbetts. But look beyond these and there is much to see, peaks everywhere including Ben Nevis, Ben Alder and much much more. Pictures do not do it justice. Although it was cool with a strong breeze it was not the 40mph forecast by the Met office this morning. A fine spot for view finding.

I headed off to find the broken fence which I followed back to the track. Yes it was more direct but also very steep. There is a faint path which was also very damp and slippery in patches. I met a couple coming up the fence path and also spotted 3 walkers on my right, just proving there is no one route.

Auch Glen flanked on left by the Corbetts Beinn nam Fuaran & Beinn a' Chaisteil. On right Beinn Dorain.

On the descent I was looking over to the Corbetts I climbed last year. The ascent, particularly of the 2^nd one, on an extremely hot day, with clegs constantly buzzing around the knackered me, unforgettable.

Surprised at how much water was still flowing down the weir

Back to today’s hill and my right knee was very pleased when I reached the estate path at the weir, descending can be a touch painful these days.

All that was left was the long walk back to the car.

Compared to my inward walk it was now very warm in the glen. I had to use the burn to fill my water bottle, normally not an issue but there was a lot of green algy on the rocks which made me pause. But needs must as I was getting overheated, my tummy will tell me tomorrow if that was a wrong move.

After my knees being glad to meet the track it was the turn of my feet to be happy chappies getting to the car. Long hard packed trails and hard walking boots are not particularly compatible.

5 stags came out of the trees must be a hole in the fence

Overall the view was more than worth the effort, a good ramble under blue skies. A short hill walk but a long walk in and out.

Ascent: 831m

Distance: 20.8km

Wildlife: Woodpecker; Meadow Pipit; Buzzard; Red Deer; Raven; Wheatear; Chaffinch; Peewit;

Worth the steep ascent slog for the cracking views.....Stuc an Lochain

Hill: Stuc an Lochain (Peak of the Little Loch)

Type: Munro

Height: 960m

After the 1000m ascent of Beinn Narnain yesterday my legs were more that a little tired but this would be a good test of how good my early season fitness was. I had felt good yesterday so let’s see.

Yesterday was clear blue skies but with a bitterly cold wind up top and today was to be the same but with even stronger winds.

A beautiful drive over Ben Lawers and into the remote end of Glen Lyon, surely one of my favourites.

From the parking looking to Stuc an Lochain but you can't see the top from here

As I got near the start I could see a few cars at the Giorra dam parking area where luckily got the last formal slot. Blue skies bringing the walkers out.

I had climbed its buddy Meall Bhudie a few years ago but didn't think it would be so long before I returned to do this one.

I hadn't slept particularly well probably overthinking all the poor reviews that I had read about the awful straight up 400m or so that marks this Munro.

Wind shimmering the waters of Loch an Daimh

When I walked beside Loch an Daimh to the start cairn Wheatears were everywhere, nice to see them back, posing on rocks trying to attract a mate.

The start of the track is obvious and initially the track climbs gently contouring the hillside, all felt good.

Then it becomes the straight up track, 400m of slog. It is full of loose stones of various sizes mixed with boulders of various sizes. For most of it today it was also a mini stream as the water cascaded down the track and this is a dry period.

Having said all that, although it is not great, it was better than I expected. Yip it does go straight up but it constantly zig zags so the gradient did not match my bad dreams.

From the cairn the track to point 887

Surprisingly my legs were feeling good as did the temperature on the slopes but that was about to change when I reached the cairn that led onto open ground and the wind had changed, strong and cold.

I followed the old fence line upwards to point 887 where then I could see the magnificent summit of Stuc which looked further away than it really was. Around point 887 is where things could go wrong in bad weather and lead walkers onto crags.

Of course I was aware of this coming but it is always a little disheartening to see a big drop and re-ascent before getting onto the ridge that leads to the summit.

View across to Stuc an Lochain

The good thing is that the views were outstanding so soaked it in. The SMC guide says that this is the best part of the walk, the undulating grassy ridge alongside Coire an Lochain and look down into its depths to see the dark, circular Lochan nan Cat.

still a few snow patches

Perfect view Lochan nan Cat

There were some small solid snow patches which made it interesting at times due to being unavoidable and angled over drops. But the highlight before the summit was standing looking down on the perfect circular Lochan nan Cat. A view to remember.

Final climb a couple coming down

Finally it was the short, sharp final ascent to the summit with again a few more snow patches to detour or cross. I was pleasantly surprised when I unexpectedly reached the flat summit and then to find that the wind had disappeared.

The dam at Loch Lyon

The Bookle centre right with the Black Mount Munros on the left

Ben Nevis

The 360deg views were outstanding, one of the best that I have experienced for some time. All the Glen Lyon and Ben Lawers range very close by. Throw in the Crianlarich/Tyndrum/Bridge of Orchy ranges. Further afield the Black Mount and the Big Bookle and so much more. The cold air clarity meant that the only limit to how far you could see was your eyesight and the horizon.

View of the ascent ridge from the summit with Glen Lyon and Lawers range Munros behind

The cold wind was back up again, must be a windchill feel like minus temperature. There is an alternative descent which goes more directly to the loch side but I stuck with my ascent route even knowing that the stony track would not be a lot of fun. It wasn’t but I was able to use more grassy sections which probably reduced the stone sections by half. Still a lot of slow, careful walking on the slippy stones.

The Munro of Meall Buidhe

Muirburn pollution. Nice view of Glen Lyon behind.

Despite the care I was still able to enjoy the views over the loch and across to Meall Buidhe but still happy when I reached the main track which led back to the car. I had to stop to empty the painful small stones out of my boots which I had not been aware of until I reached the flat ground.

Overall a really good short ramble with spectacular views. Fitness was good so another plus point.

PS: As part of my research I came across this description in Ralph Storer’s book which is a classic. “Stuc an Lochain has a unique claim to fame in that it was the scene of the first ever recorded ascent of a Munro around 1590. The bagger, more (in)famous for abducting ladies and executing MacDonalds than for his hillwalking exploits, was Colin ‘The Mad’ Campbell of Glen Lyon. Although some say you have to be mad to climb mountains. Colin’s excuse was to stalk game”

Ascent: 731m

Distance: 9.6km

Time: 3.59

Wildlife: Meadow Pipit: Wheatear (1^st of year); Little Ringed Plover (1^st for years); Coal Tit; Chaffinch;