In search of the stag.....Beinn Damh

Hill: Beinn Damh (Hill of the Stag)

Type: Corbett

Height: 903m

This was my 3^rd attempt to get to Stag hill, the last two opportunities being cancelled due to poor weather but today was to be much better. This is the most prominent of the hills situated on the south side of Loch Torridon.

I was joined on the walk today with a couple of walkers from the ADRC outing to Torridon.

View through the trees to Beinn Alligan where some of the group were today

Track took us to the low point of col

Suddenly the imposing bulk of Sgorr Ruadh comes into sight

The start is exactly the same as for my post on Beinn na h-Eaglaise so I will start this from the crossroads. Yesterday I went left so today it was the right fork. A good stalkers track took us towards the bealach. The upper section was badly eroded and not very pleasant. Still just over an hours walking saw us at the bealach where on arrival our view was immediately drawn to the Applecross massif, a huge mass of rock. The marine workings at Kishorn and further behind the peaks of Skye.

The corrie of Toll Ban we walked up its right ridge

Applecross hills and Loch Damh far below

There was an option to turn right for an hours detour to Beinn Bheag, apparently super views, but not for us today, eyes and legs only for the main target. Plus looking at it I suspect it would be more than an hour, a fine walk on its own right for another day.

The next climb took us round the side of the Toll Ban which has a very airy feel about with spectacular views steeply down to the blue waters of Loch Damh, not a place to slip over to your right.

Now just boulders and the odd track all the way up

A reprieve of sorts on a flattish section before the boulder field is hit. It is awkward scrappy walking and not at all my favourite. There are small cairns to give a guidance for the route but as we found on the descent they are all over the place, so many possible ways through the boulder field. From above we had spotted a track so the better walking would be higher up rounding the bottom of Creag na h-Iolaire.

Impressive dome top of Beinn Damh

After that fairly torrid section we reached the flatter top of the Beinn Damh ridge which comes with a view of the final climb to the true summit. The views had been outstanding all day and didn't stop here.

In my head I had this final section as a clear path but in reality it was anything but. It is not difficult but full concentration required as it is again large boulders involving hands at times, what path there was is stony scree, easy to slip and with the Corrie edge on your very near left side, it is steep and dramatic.

The top itself did not disappoint, there are 360 degree views of perfection. You love Scotland, no wonder quite magnificent. I suppose the question is what can’t you see as almost every local hill and many more in full view.

Two banded longhorn beetle

A superb viewpoint for lunch apart from the beasties that went for me, these weird things were all over me and I had no idea what they were. Turned out they are the infamous ‘two banded longhorn beetle’, there you go. Apparently they should be in oak woods but none of that up here but there were plenty of them around for sure.

Walkhighlands describes this walk as ‘a stunning introduction into the mountains of Torridon’, a pretty tough introduction I think.

Looking back the curving ridge to Creag na h-Iolaire is impressive

Looking down from near the bealach to the descent to the forest

The descent was again one of total concentration, too easy to twist an ankle, fall or trip. When we could we took in the views but getting back safely was the priority. More people were around the hill now, no way we were getting it to ourselves on a day like this.

Despite the good walk I was glad to finish, it was a bit longer than expected and my legs were feeling it. Overall delighted to get it done, not as spectacular a ridge as others I have walked but a fine hill nevertheless.

Ascent: 948m

Distance:

Time: 6.24

Wildlife: 12.51km

A group walk up the White Hill.....Fionn Bheinn

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)

Its a Sunday so must be a visit to church.....Beinn na h-Eaglaise

Hill: Beinn na h-Eaglaise (Mountain/Hill of the Church)

Type: Fiona

Height: 736m

Bit of a bummer as I cancelled this walk for ADRC due to the appalling fog and subsequent very poor visibility for most of the day. But sods law, about 9am, the weather was improving so I decided to give it a bash. I did message but the other walkers had presumably sorted out other walks to do so it became a solo effort.

I started from the large walkers car park at the Torridon Inn, expected it to be a pay parking but pleasantly surprised.

The initial part of the route is the same as for Beinn Damh which I am doing tomorrow.

Walk west along the road through the rear courtyard over the bridge and up the track to the main road. On the other side there is a stalkers path that goes through the rhododendrons although these have been severely cut back.

Steep start

The path climbs uphill above a gorge with waterfalls through beautiful natural pine forests to emerge onto the more open pine and boulder strewn hillside. It is a climb that you are straight into, I was huffing and puffing. Plenty of birdsong to accompany me.

Go left

River crossing

Crossroads time, right for Damh, the left fork for me. When this reaches the river the path can be seen across a deep gorge but to cross follow the path this side to make the boulder steps crossing. Fine today but could be interesting after heavy rain.

Just go for it

Follow the path for another 600m onto the flanks of Eaglaise then it is decision time re where to leave the track and head onto the moor. I had one track saved but looking at it there seemed a more straightforward route so that is the one I chose. I knew that once I ascended it to the first crags I was going to be into the cloud. At least I had got this far with decent visibility, probably around the 500m mark.

There would be a series of lifts onto different sections of the ridge. Pathless but straightforward route finding to avoid the crags even with limited visibility.

The terrain is rough throughout with only one short section of easy scrambling on my route. On my left I was aware of some significant drops that would have been dangerous had the forecasted peasouper happened. As it was I had about 30 metres of visibility.

A short scramble coming up not possible to bypass 

The final kilometre is flatter but small rises appearing out of the gloom appeared giant hills, thankfully just small.

Finally the summit cairn

I was surprised to spot the cairn rising out of the miss slightly off to my right, my direction slightly off.

Hey say it is a superb viewpoint but not for me today. But it was strangely quiet, not even a slight breeze.

Liathach magically appeared

There are a couple of other descent options but as I had minimal visibility it was straight back down the same way. Shortly after leaving the top there was a slight opening of the cloud, only about 20 seconds, to tease and show the flanks of Liathach.

Upper Loch Torridon with Skye beyond

Torridon village and the lower slopes of Liathach

Not to be seen again until I came out of the clouds and had lunch overlooking the blue waters of Loch Torridon and beyond to Skye and the Hebrides, quite stunning.

Looking over towards Beinn Damh

Stunning lichen colourings

An uneventful return with good views of the steep track up Beinn Damh, tired legs after tomorrow I suspect.

It turned out to be a good walk. I would have been concerned leading a group through the pathless terrain in poor visibility with the dangers around, right choice, just a pity nobody else got to share the experience.

Ascent: 725m

Distance: 9.2km

Time: 4.14

Wildlife: Cuckoo (calling); Meadow Pipit; Coal Tit; Common Frog; Orange Tip (m); Tree Pipit(h);

In search of another Donald top.....Meikledodd Hill

 Hill: Meikledodd Hill/Blacklorg

Type: Donald Top/Donald

Height: 630m

After postponing my Saturday group walk I still craved some hill walking exercise so I decided to tick off one of my Donald Tops on the Sunday. The weather was much improved from yesterday and as it was a local hill I put it up as a last minute ramble for ADRC and half a dozen joined me.

I wasn’t sure if I had been on this top before but as I could not fully remember it was time to formalise the tick. During preparation I had noticed that the OS maps aerial view showed a track beside the newish electricity pylons that was not shown on the standard map.

So I took my group alongside Afton reservoir hoping to find said track. It was no big deal as we could always take a short backtrack and do a circular via the traditional route over Alwhat.

A wide muddy track

As it turned out we found the track, well not exactly a track. It was a machinery gouged wide area of deforestation and churned up peat, muddy in places but it did exist and it took us uphill.

Meikledodd over the grassy hump

The slow group

Classic Donald summit marker, Blacklorg behind

For no reason other than it looked right I took the group off piste and took a more direct route towards Meikledodd. The map suggested we would find a fence and indeed we did, superb navigation! Followed the fence up to the high point where we spotted a single wooden stake on the moor across the other side of the fence, a true Donald summit marker.

The mast beckons

Back to the fence where we stayed this side and followed a grassy track to the mast at Littledodd Hill, a food and water break stop. As I enjoyed my sannie one of our members began pulling at the cables attaching this large structure to the ground. He was surprised at the flexibility of the cables, I was too for different reasons. Thankfully it did not come crashing down but I assume these things have CCTV cameras attached so look out for the polis to ADRC committee.

Blacklorg top

We wandered up to Blacklorg and down to Cannock Hill. As we descended I spotted a figure coming our way, my vision a bit blurred these days but I had a sense of deja vu. Surely enough it was Lorna who had joined us nearby on a similar walk.

Craigbranreoch Top

View down Glen Afton

So friendship group acknowledgements completed we walked on and most continued up Craigbraneoch Hill for what is arguably the best view from these hills.

Afton reservoir

Ringlet

A steep and rough descent back to the reservoir then back to the cars.

I bagged myself another Donald top, the weather stayed good and everyone got a bit more exercise, a good enough short ramble.

Ascent: 546m

Distance: 13.2km

Time: 3.59

Wildlife: Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch; Ringlet,