Beinn Chabhair definitely not the tourist track

Hill: Beinn Chabhair
Category: Munro
Height: 933m

Start here, coos are on our left

We took a lesser used route to Beinn Chabhair approaching from Derrydaroch Farm, which is located on the West Highland Way. Plenty of early morning walkers heading northwards along the WHW. In the field all the coos thought we were the farmer and descended on the gate but apart from a frisky youngster all was well going through the herd. 

Up the track the hill in the middle our objective

Initially we followed the WHW then cut left heading up a track up the valley which was created to put in a hydro-electric scheme. Two large stiles to cross en route. The large gates had combination locks.

Mini dam we go right here

After a lengthy walk in the track ends at the small dam and looking at the above snap the burn is our descent route.
But for the outward route we head to the right and there is quite a tough climb up a wet grassy slope with no path apart from the occasional faint ATV track. Glad the gaiters were on, underfoot wet. We followed the burn, criss crossing it a few times and then up a steep gully to reach the normal path. Lots of huffing and puffing.

Slope gentle at this stage

As we ascended the grassy slopes I could see the odd head bobbing on the tourist track, deer I first thought ,wrongly. I swear I heard a kid looking down at us shouting ‘mummy don’t those people know there is a path up here’, lol. There was around 350m of ascent from the dam up these slopes.

The tourist path

Happily we reached the shoulder at Meall nan Tarmachan where there is now a good stony path for the meandering climb to the summit.

Summit in view

The views were outstanding, very clear air giving us lots of opportunities to argue which top was which of the many hills as far away as Mull and the Big Ben. Ben Vorlich, Ben Cruachan & the Dalmally horseshoe amongst many others.

Ben Lomond on left

After lunch we continued along the ridge, before descending very steeply to the valley below. Not the easiest terrain to descend, the grassy slopes very wet and slippery. 

Descent

Opposite us is the Munro, An Caisteal, where we spot a couple of walkers descending our way, wonder if they are doing both. 

Last grassy section

Finally we follow the burn in Coire a Chuilinn down to rejoin the track where we left it at the dam. Just the long walk out left.
Wildlife: A frog on the hill, not even a raven for our sannie up top.
Time: 5.03
Ascent: 937
Distance: 12.6k

Ben Vorlich another Munro with nae view

Hill: Ben Vorlich Loch Lomond
Category: Munro
Height: 943

We started at Inveruglas, the parking machines broken, yahoo. A muggy day, hot down here but very low clouds.

Lower flank of Ben Vane

We took the standard route along the road then under the railway bridge onto the Loch Sloy track. A few cows on the path but not interested in us. The slopes of Ben Vane flank our right but tops not in sight.

Rock steps to Vorlich

After about 45 minutes of a walk in we reached the start of the climb. A group can be seen a bit further up the very steep slopes.

Loch Sloy dam

The initial stages are solid stone steps which aids progress but with the muggy conditions the sweat is pouring off me. This is a steep climb. Plenty of opportunities to pause, regroup, look at the Loch Sloy dam and then onwards and upwards again.

Well into cloud

The gradient does ease at times but all is relative it is still hard going. We are also now fully into the cloud so just head down and grind it out.

Track all the way

The walking is now easier and as there is a good track all the way you cannot get lost even in these conditions. Thankfully we come across the trig and cairn. The true summit is some 200 metres away but it could be anywhere as we can only see about 10 metres.

Trig & cairn not the summit

We go across to it and its larger cairn, the rain comes on proper and we shelter for a quick lunch. A raven appears out of the gloom wanting food, must have good vision that one.

Cloud thinning Loch Sloy below

On the descent the clouds thin and we actually get a view of the loch.

A bit further down and Loch Lomond appears. The walkers coming up are probably going to get a view, aargh.

Descent track

The track makes for a quick descent but the rock steps are jarring the old knees. From the bottom the tops can now be seen, clouds gone lol.

Just the long walk back wondering if the machines have been fixed and if a parking ticket is on the car.
After 7 hills in 8 days my legs are feeling it but it was a good outing despite the weather.
Wildlife: Raven, Buzzard, Goldfinch, Large White Butterfly.
Time: 5.21
Ascent: 3158ft
Distance: 8.72m 

All aches on Mount Blair

Hill: Mount Blair, Angus (Hill of the Moor/Plain)
Category: Graham

Height: 744m

Side view of Mount Blair

I headed east again hoping to replicate yesterdays weather pattern but it was not to be. I had noticed this hill yesterday on my drive home from Morrone.

Mount Blair is a short straightforward ascent to yet another mast, two in two days. Only a short drive away to Glen Isla.

I parked at the layby with the signs for Perth/Angus boundaries besides a small wood. The hill was covered in cloud so how would it pan out?

Enter here and follow track

A short walk along the road, watch out for fast moving timber lorries, to a gate on the right and now simply a case of following the ATV track to the top.

Looking back to where car parked

Straight away I knew my legs were not really up for this today but onwards and upwards. It was a little toughie as the grassy slopes are unrelenting. However, it was a good excuse to stop and admire the views below. Just sheep, me and changing weather.

Rain arriving

As I reach the fence which separates sheep land from the grouse moors I also met with deteriorating weather. Rain, wind and its cold. But I got a change of sheep with three very dark coats and twisting horns, not sure what they are but they scampered off as soon as I lifted the camera.

In the clag there is little to see but because it is cloud shrouded there are plenty of false summits. Getting there, nope that’s another layer through the gloom and so on.

Messy summit

Finally after 55 minutes of toil I reach the messy top. The ugly mast of course is the first thing seen. 

Viewfinder cloud lifted for about a minute

A fence and a style to get to a huge rock pile cairn for sheltering from the weather but today it was just blowing in, no good to me. According to reports the cairn is ancient and there was a suicide buried here, very sad. Finally the modern construction viewfinder but sadly as I could only see a smidgen in front of me its markings were irrelevant.

I hung about for a bit but no prospect of change so back down I went. Of course 10 minutes later it started to clear so I just took in the views from here.

Looking west Ben Vrackie in distance

Lochnager’s cairn just visible. To the west Ben Vrackie was now clear but the mass of Schiehallion behind in and out of cloud. The Angus glens to my right and all the patchwork rolling hills of the grouse moors.

Descending looking at Duchray Hill

The walk down was enjoyable taking it all in. Two more Grahams are in view close by but not for me today. I met two people, chatted a bit and hoped it had cleared until they got there.

Not the best memory but still some good views.
Later I wondered if I was bitten over the last couple of days as when back I crashed out for 2 hours and then felt like a herd of coos had walked over me, explains the aches earlier.
Wildlife: Red Grouse, Goldfinch.
Time: 1.40
Ascent: 409m
Distance: 4.7k

Morrone a straightforward Corbett with stunning views and new butterflies

Hill: Morrone (The Big Nose)
Category: Corbett
Height: 859

A forecast of wet and windy in the west meant me following Judith’s tip (BBC weather) of heading to the east so Braemar was the pick.

Morrone from track start

I parked in the village centre car park, free parking and toilets and walked through the town heading up the road, passing the site where the Highland Gathering is being readied. At the top of this road there is a car park you could use if time was an issue.

I walked on by following the signed track. A short while later in a different brain world I followed the circular route until I slowly realised height not being gained so back tracked to the main path.

Easy tourist track

Follow the sign right and now you cannot go wrong as the path meanders up the hillside. It is a tourist hill so a wide track at times.

So far so good no rain but windy and cold so light jacket on.

Braemar

Looking around there are super views of Braemar and the hills behind. On my left Lochnagar stands out.

5 cairns

Not sure why but there are five small cairns ahead but they are a marker to pass as you head for the mast summit, built to increase reception for the mountain rescue. 

Barren but mast now in sight

Very few people on the hill today but amidst this desolate landscape section I spot a mountain hare.

Messy summit

Now on top, there is a round trig and the wider all round views are superb from Lochnagar via Cairnwell via the Cairngorm massifs, although all the west Munro tops still in cloud so a good choice staying a bit lower. 

View to Lochnagar

Despite the biting wind time is spent taking it all in trying to identify all of the tops and passes.

Descent track

Rather than just take the up and down like everyone else I saw today I walked the long way round. A hard packed service road is not easy walking for the descent but the views make up for it and you cannot go wrong. Apart from one girl coming up, so well wrapped up I felt for her, not another person on the descent.

Old road back to Braemar

Head down amidst the grouse moors, sprung quite a few of them, then down below follow the old road round Morrone, alongside the river back to Braemar.

Good old Judith was right, mixed weather but no rain, a good day for a walk.

Happy sunflowers

Even some sunflowers to bring brightness to the day and a smile to my face.

Final stretch across the beautiful golf course which is deserted, why? Butterflies are flying I have grainy not well focused snaps of what I believe is the Northern Brown Argus, and also a Mountain Ringlet two firsts.
A good choice and another excellent walk. Looking forward to Mount Blair tomorrow.
Wildlife: A single mountain hare, Red Grouse, Grey Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Northern Brown Argus, Mountain Ringlet.
Time: 3.12
Ascent: 605m
Distance: 13.2k

Leagag a fine little hill with lots of deer

Hill: Leagag
Category: Sub 2k/Marilyn
Height: 601m
After 3 Munros without any views it was time to refocus. The forecast remained pretty much the same, grey, cloudy and potentially very wet. Although this is the 10th highest Sub 2k I was optimistic that it’s summit would be below the cloud line but would it escape the rain? The good lady in tow today.

The Start Leagag on left

We parked up about 100m from the start in Bridge of Gaur and walked up the road. A well spoken elderly man stopped and asked where we were going. Put it this way the hill has only 6 letters and I was well out on the pronunciation, no surprise there, put right by an Englishman, humiliated off we went.

First deer herd

The hill top could be seen from the gate at the start, clear of rain and cloud so optimism. There is a very good track for the first mile or so.

Off to the right we spotted a herd of deer on a far off ridge, mainly stags, a good start. The rain has started, heavy not so good. Despite the gloom there is the impressive bulk of Meall Garbh directly ahead.

Iron red rocks

The rocks in the burn are an unusual reddish colour. Looking at the map a ‘Bloomery Mound’ is marked. It turns out this is a medieval mound used for iron smelting, the legacy clearly lasts a long, long time.

Turn left here

A small cairn marks the spot to turn off left unless you want to walk on up into Glen Lyon. The track is now wet and boggy underfoot as it circles around the back of Meall Dubh. You can go straight up but this is easier for the good lady, the moans will start soon.

Some of the 2nd herd

We came to a sudden stop as a herd of over 100 red deer are down below us on the moor. They have spotted us but not concerned yet. A mixed herd, the stags with velvet antlers so I presume a younger group. After a minutes stand off they run for it. The rain was heavy but I risked camera damage and got a couple of hazy long shots.

Head up to Leagag no path now

They headed up the grassy slopes we were heading for which was helpful as they laid tracks through the bracken, easier walking for us. Just pick a spot and leave the track and head for the grassy slope. Leagag can be seen but not the cairn.

Loch Rannoch

It was tough going for the good lady but before long we reached a heather shoulder which was better walking. The views were great despite the low clouds.

Another sharp but short ascent and we were at the cairn. 

Towards Glen Lyon Munros

The views were well worth it and I would love to see it with clear visibility. The Glen Lyon Munros stand out in bulk but their summits shrouded in cloud. 

Meandering river

The glen below look fantastic with the twisting Luban Feith a’ Mhadaidh sparkling in the odd glimpse of the sun. The views down Loch Rannoch don’t disappoint except sadly Schiehallion can’t be seen.

The wind has really picked up, buffeting us, so a more direct route off the hill, more or less straight down to the inward track and then easier walk back.

Lichen

The sun briefly comes out, butterflies start flying and we spend some time admiring the lichen covered rocks. How long did it take for the lichen to cover this rock?

The rain flanks us, the top of Leagag is covered but we make the car dry.
A surprisingly good little hill and glad we went. I would love to see the views on a clear air day, I suspect they will be grand indeed. The good lady declined the offer of doing the other nearby sub 2k, Meall Chomraidh, instead we visited the Rannoch Stations tearoom, coffee and large portions cake, a better idea.
Wildlife: Red deer, Meadow pipit, Dunnock, Scotch Argus.
Time: 3.35
Ascent: 417m
Distance: 9.71k

Three Newtonmore Munros a circuit in the clouds

Hill: Carn Dearg, Carn Sgulain, ""A' Chailleach
Category: Munros
Height: n/a
The forecast was for a miserable day, persistent rain and the resulting low cloud all day so not the best outlook for these 3 Munros.
It was raining when I drove to the start but surprisingly it was off when we started walking. A muggy wet day what gear to wear?

You can just see the trail in the gap

To start a pleasant walk up the track in Glen Banchor before heading right into the hills via Gleann Fiondrigh where we spotted our first deer of the day and our one and only golden eagle.

Remote already

The burn was still very low despite the recent rains and the enclosed hills gave the feeling of isolation and remoteness.

Turn left here at bridge

We seemed to complete a circular route around the hills before finally heading out onto the boggy peat moor. 

Carn Dearg ahead

On and off estate ATV tracks to follow but mainly heather moorland to negotiate but spirits are high and our first Munro is in sight. Its cairn prominent and close to the edge. But to get to it it's not across the peat hags, we go further into the glen towards its head before going left and climbing up the grassy slopes before reaching a stony track. On the rocks a raptor screeches, a youngster and an adult peregrine circles, watching us presumably.

This is meant to be the best view!!

A little further on and Carn Dearg’s cairn appears out of the mist. The rain was now fully on and with the low cloud no views from here as you can see from the cairn snap.

Old fence provides guidance

We now enter the second section of the walk a long six kilometre trudge across the rocky plateau. The clouds occasionally lifted for 5 minutes to give us a snapshot of the landscape but equally quickly descended into the gloom again. We mainly followed the old fence line and spotted two shapes moving past in the opposite direction, heads down into the rain and gloom.

The clouds lift a bit but not a lot to see

About half way along the plateau the rain had eased and more short term views appeared, giving a glimpse of the way ahead, easing the trudge a little.

Carn Sgulain

When we reached the 2nd Munro, Carn Sgulain and it really is an anti climax, a pathetic little cairn, the clouds down once more, is this it, the GPS says yes.

A short backtrack and then across the peat hags before descending sharply.

Peat hags over back to grass for 3rd top

 The burn is in clear sight, nice views up and down but of course the last top cannot be seen in the clouds.

A'Chailleach 2nd best views apparently

A last short steep climb and our final Munro of the day, A’Chailleach, is reached. The most impressive cairn of the 3 but once again nae views. 

Descent views opening up

Not long after starting the descent, you guessed it, the weather cleared and we had fantastic views across Badenoch all the way down, typical. The initially badly eroded track becomes better as you descend back to the car park.

A very long walk today but in good company. Disappointing with the weather but back to normality for hill walking in Scotland.

Wildlife: Red deer, Golden Eagle, Meadow pipits, Peregrine.
Time: 7.37
Ascent: 1137m
Distance: 24.7k