A superb Corbett/Munro ramble.....Am Bathach & Ciste Dubh

Hill: Am Bathach (The Byre) (798m) & Ciste Dubh (Black Chest) (979m)

Type: Corbett & Munro

Last year when we were staying at Cluanie Inn I watched a walker descend the ridge heading back from the Corbett of Am Bathach. I turned and said to the good lady that it looked spectacular and I was adding it to my To Do list.

Well today was the day for it and I was really looking forward to it. It stands out from the A87 as it is a narrow peak/pyramid like hill with steep slopes it looked interesting.

Time for a breather and a look back to the start and Loch Cluanie

I began from the plantation on the A87 and I knew that the initial series of ramps were just going to be a slow slog, head down, step by step just keep gaining height. There was a decent path to follow, pretty firm after this dry weather but sections showed where it can get very boggy under different conditions. By the time I climbed to the ridge proper I did have a bit of a sweat going, it was warm.

A proper undulating ridge

View down to the Cluanie Inn

From that high point the ridge undulates well aware of its narrowness and the steepness of its flanks, a long way down to either glen. Still no difficulty, just the wow factor of this superb hill surrounded by its bigger Munros but in no way is this hill walk inferior.

Am Bathach is the middle peak

Up top Aonach Meadhoin on left

Ciste Dubh ahead but a big descent first

Reached the summit. 1 hour 40m pleased with that. Time for some refreshments and enjoy the views.

This was the 1^st of a double ascent today as I was also taking the Munro of Ciste Dubh which was directly ahead. I was aware that the SMC book says that it is not as near as you might think, ok.

Common frogs love bogs

I knew I had a long descent to the Bealach a’ Choinich but in fairness it gave me a good perspective of the route ahead. The bealach is a peat hag strewn area but was fairly dry, lots of deer prints in the mud but none spotted.

It looks benign but ahead is the worst section

An Cnapach peaks out

Starting to climb again with the track going to the right of the crags. This was the worst section, even in dry conditions it was a black gloopy quagmire, the very eroded track frequently lost and it was with great relief to get back on a decent path heading for the prominent peak of An Cnapach.

Contouring An Cnapach

The magnificent summit of Ciste Dubh, track can be seen on the left

The track continued to its left but there is a short drop before climbing the narrow exposed final section. It had been a beautiful day but as I reached the narrow section the winds got up and buffeted me all the way to the summit. Being very aware of those massive drops on my right at times it was a wow moment as the gusts tugged and pulled.

Summit view back to Am Bathach centre & An Cnapach right

Five Sisters peaks left Glen Affric on right

The Brothers centre & 5 Sisters on right

On descent An Cnapach's jaggy peak

It really is a top viewpoint, a stand alone hill but the many other Munros are not far away along with a great view through to Glen Affric.

On descent The Brothers ahead

Nice view of the descent side of Am Bathach

The wind gusts had ceased as I descended back to the bealach, thankfully the higher perspective allowed me to pick a better line through the gloop.

Higher view of the walk out on left side of the burn

View from the bealach

At the bealach I had a bit of phaffing around before finding the stalkers path that would lead me back to the car. It was a long walk through the glen and the heat had brought out the beasties so glad to get to the end of the track.

Without doubt my favourite ramble of the year so far.

Ascent: 1099m

Distance: 13.6km

Time: 5.41

Wildlife: Ringed Ouzel; Meadow Pipit; Cuckoo (heard); Common Frog; Raven;

A wee stunner.....Biod an Fhithich

Hill: Biod an Fhithich (Point of the Raven)

Type: Fiona:

Height: 644m

Unusually I had a poor sleep last night and I did not really feel like climbing a hill but as I had this planned for ages it was time to get it done. I knew it should be a delightful short romp so off I went.

Yesterdays blue skies had been replaced by dull grey skies but at least the clouds were above my summit albeit some of the higher Munros were coming into view and then disappearing on a regular basis.

View from parking area Biod on the right

Only one other car in the parking area. As I changed I looked up where I could see a figure topping the stalkers path, must be the other car and an early starter I reckoned.

Good path starts here

The stalkers track was excellent, an initial zig zag section where I was worryingly perspiring early doors but thankfully I was back to normal for the long rising section to the bealach. At one point I looked up to the route ahead where I spotted movement, another single walker. Then a minute or two later I spotted another pair cresting the ridge at the top of the path. Where had all these people parked?

Stalkers path

Today, I was in no rush and despite the greyness the views were excellent. The track was in good nick but I knew from the amount of stone debris it would be a slow and careful descent.

Path to Forcan going up the centre

Wider view including the ridge

I reached the bealach where I got excellent views of the Forcan ridge. I spotted the walkers ahead of me circling towards the start of the ridge. I had not realised how much of a route junction this section was, more of which later.

Short ascent to Biod

These walkers had all turned left whereas I was going to my right to climb the short pap of Biod. There was a track to begin, which I soon lost, but no issues as the short ascent is mainly on grass with the small crags easy to avoid.

Looking back I spotted the walker who had been coming up behind me having a good look up at me. Presumably a Forcan walker deciding whether to bag this as well.

Looking back up Glen Shiel (east)

View west down Loch Duich

I meandered around and behind and then unexpectedly I had arrived at the top, Great 360 degree views, I was glad I had done it. the standard view back down the north ridge towards Loch Duich and the tourist trap of Eilean Donan Castle. Peeking over to look at the view down to the A87 it is certainly steep, a straight 600m down, not standing too close, could sense the vertigo pull.

5 Sisters

Views across to the 5 Sisters were great. Turning 180deg the full Forcan ridge and much more, certainly a fine viewpoint.  

I took a few snaps and was going to have something to eat when a voice greeted me. Blimey it was the guy from down below and he was rapido, mind you he was built like a whippet.

We had a good chat, turned out he was a walking guide who had been in the area with clients. Today was a free day so he was doing a recce of some alternative descents. Turned out he was staying in the hostel and had spoken to some of our group last night.

As we chatted we watched a couple of separate walkers coming from the direction of the ridge, I didn't think that was the Forcan descent as well but he told me that it was also a junction for the Cape Wrath trail and sure enough they headed down the other side on a track that I had not spotted.

I had my food break whilst he headed off and next time I looked he was almost on the ridge, he really was quick.

When I reached the junction a girl arrived from the stalkers path carrying a huge pack. She was also doing the Cape Wrath trail but had broken the route as her parents had arrived and put her up in a hotel for a night for a birthday present, a diversion down and back up the stalkers path a small price to pay for a comfy bed, meal and a shower she said.

Descent

For me it was now a careful descent to avoid a heel slip on the small stones and debris but still able to take in the views up and down the glen. Feeling much better, more refreshed and glad I did it. Time to meet the kids off the Glasgow bus.

Common Heath Moth

Colourful lichen, over 1500 species in Scotland, 

On the way down I had time to explore and I just love the colour variations of the rock lichens. Each colour is a different species, growing at less than 1mm a year and it is a battlefield as they try to take over the space.

The ramble turned out to be even better than expected but considering its name this must be one of a very few walks this year where I have not seen a raven!

Ascent: 610m

Distance: 7.2k

Time: 3.39

Wildlife: Cuckoo; Hooded Crow; Moth; Meadow Pipit; Wheatear;

Short, steep and cracking views.....Beinn a 'Mhonicaig

Hill: Beinn a’ Mhonicag

Type: Sub2k

Height: 567m

Having struggled with a chest infection I wanted to test myself but not against a biggie. Last year when the good lady and I visited Glen Roy to view the Parallel Roads I was attracted to the steep short Sub2k beside the viewing area. there was no time that day so it was one for the to-do list.

Glen Roy is a Natural Nature Reserve mainly due to the ‘roads’ and I was looking forward to getting a different perspective of them from above.

Looks a lot steeper in real life

Although we were in the middle of a dry hot spell, when I arrived at the parking area it was a very strong cool breeze, I had to put on another layer to boot up lol.

Short but steep so off I went up the grassy slopes where initially there was not a track as such but a green line amongst the growing ferns.

Bracken will soon cover the track and hillside

After the initial grassy section a narrow dirt track was formed but as I climbed I realised I had passed at least one of the ‘Parallel Roads’ without realising it. I had expected a slight levelling and maybe it was there and I had not noticed with all my huffing and puffing.

Delighted with the wee track as the surrounding ground was heather, ferns and plenty of bog cotton. Nothing too overgrown but it would have made the ascent awkward as it was steep ground.

Looking deep into Glen Roy, another 2 Fionas & 3 Corbetts to be bagged in the glen

Excellent clear views of the roads

As I climbed I was getting exactly what I hoped for, excellent views of the Parallel Roads, so distinctive when looking from a distance.

Top cairns left & right

Then the gradient eased off and soon after I spotted a cairn which was just a marker for another two cairns slightly ahead.

From eyesight alone I decided that the left cairn was the highest so but a track led to the right so I went there first. More peat hags and bogs up here but nothing that couldn’t be avoided.

View from right cairn to higher one with Grey Corries & Anochs in background

As I headed to the 2^nd cairn a pair of Meadow Pipits erupted from a grassy clump in the sphagnum bog, no danger to their nest, I wasn’t going over that.

Looking east Fersit & Laggan Munros

As expected the views from the final cairn were immense and as I was in no hurry, unusually, I sat down and took about 20 minutes to soak in the peace and tranquillity that the views in a remote spot provided. A lot warmer up top than it had been at the start.

Looking at the Fiona of Leana Mhor with Corbett Beinn Iaruinn behind

Took a wander back and forth across the moorland top, nice views to look over to the Fiona & Corbett as shown above. 

Then back down the same way, breathing was fine and it was an excellent short ramble.

Ascent: 354m

Distance: 3.1km

Time: 2.23

Wildlife: Pied Wagtail; Meadow Pipit; Hooded Crow; Woodpecker (h); Cuckoo(h)

A more straightforward than expected ramble.....Blackwood Hill

Hill: Blackwood Hill (Anton Fell)

Type: Sub2k

Height: 447m

My second hill of the day only 10 minutes drive from Larriston.

View of Blackwood Hill from my descent from Larriston

The route I had chosen was based on a Walkhighlands route but that was 6 years old. Looking at the hillside from my descent from Larriston I could see that it had been deforested and my planned route would no longer be valid. However, I could see a possible track through the deforested section but whether it would be any good time would tell when I got nearer. If not Plan B was to do it tomorrow from the other side but I would have to investigate where to start from.

So sticking to Plan A I arrived on a minor single track road at a gated forestry entrance. I had read that this gate was never locked and you could drive up to the old railway line where there was a parking space at the side of the track. The gate was open, my legs were tired so I took the chance and drove up and the parking area was there.

After the Baltic winds up on Garriston it was back to warmth at ground level. Nevertheless the rucksack had been topped up with warmer gear just in case but it was only a short ramble so toughen up I told myself.

1st glimpse of the ridge

Another hard packed track along the old railway line towards Riccarton Junction. There are old trains and stuff at the junction. There were roads around here even before the train the railway was the thing. Indeed if you were using solely to go church on Sundays there was no charge.

A longer zig zag than I had anticipated before I was at the start of that trail I had seen from a distance.

Cross Country time

From below it seemed worth a risk of a broken ankle etc but I was still unsure if it would go all the way. But I was here so decided to go for it.

It was not a track as such but a small divide between the newly planted area and the deforested section. A lot of wooden debris scattered about, tried my best to avoid standing on larger wooden pieces in case they were rotted and broke with my weight.

Legs were feeling a bit heavy but I made good progress and the upper fence line was soon reached.

The high point is where the moor turns into the trees

All that was left was a short high level track along the ridge to the original tree plantation where the summit sits hidden further along amidst the trees.

I was walking alongside a newly built fence topped with barbed wire, hoping I would not need to climb it.

View to Greatmoor Hill from the summit

The short section to the top was fine apart from one section where the trees met the fence. I was worried about tearing my jacket but I squeezed past to find the small cairn marking the summit, at least there was one.

On the descent

Back the boring construction track

There was an alternative option to descend beside the treeline but I just returned the same way. Not quite as cold as this morning but not the high temperatures forecast either.

Ascent: 261m

Distance: 5.9km

Time: 1.38

Wildlife: Raven; Buzzard; Blackbird; Robin; Coal Tit: Chaffinch; Meadow Pipit