The views are more than cool from Cul Beag

Hill: Cul Beag (Small back)
Type: Corbett
Height: 769m

Having completed its big brother a few weeks ago I had to have a go at this one as the profile looking across from Cul Mor made Cul Beag look spectacular if not a bit daunting. Time to find out.
There are three main routes but not surprisingly I chose the easiest route as per Walkhighlands.
The weather forecast was excellent but the reality, where had these clouds come from? Hopefully passing through.

Cul Beag looks a long way from the start

The walk in is not overly long but it is not a particularly kind path. Initially it is a poor ATV track but that is the good bit. I passed some nice looking fishing lochs but probably not productive today on these alternating bright and cloudy conditions.
The on off boggy trail soon disappears after I have crossed the small fence and entered the moor proper.
Like Cul Mor, there are plenty of small cairns as indicators which at first sight seems positive but particularly on the descent were distracting as some seemed irreverent.
Looking at the first main climb it looks steep.
After the initial section the climb started briefly over the rocky slopes of Creag Dubh before becoming a heather clad ascent up the steep slopes of Meall Dearg. This ascent is mainly pathless although you do stumble across the odd track but don't expect any of these to last for long. 

In bad weather you could easily walk off some of these big drops

Just keep looking up to to the horizon and keep going upwards knowing the top will come soon.
Some superb rock structures on top of Meall Dearg show off the ice age pressures on this landscape and you stand on some patches of red sand. Hard to believe this was the earth level as we know down on the low sea level beaches we enjoy today.

First view of the top and the dangerous crags

Now I have a view of the the final section alongside the stunning blue waters of the sea and lochs that stand out ahead and below.

Lochan and the steps just visible

There is a drop of just under 100m down to the lochan where in spring apparently full of frogs. Now you get to climb the steeper slopes towards the summit of Cul Beag. The initial stages are the toughest but it does ease off and you can use the saltification steps to zig zag up the hill.

Stac Pollaidh

About 25 minutes later the cairn is spotted but when reached the WOW factor is the incredible views ahead over Stac Pollaidh and onwards to the sea and the Western Isles. Don't underestimate the vertigo as this cairn is next some extremely steep drops.

Wide View

The clouds had stayed away from the summit so I could bask in the glorious views of this fantastic country of ours. Where to stand, where to look? 

Cul Mor directly behind the cairn

Across the way the neighbouring Cul Mor and the ridge that I couldn't from see last time even though I was standing on it, looks magnificent.

Three Graham hills over there if you want a superb but airy ridge walk

If the views were not good enough even more enjoyment as a golden eagle appeared gliding over the top of me. By the time I had the camera out and focused it was already half way across to show off to the people on top of Stac Pollaidh, just magnificent.

Dropping back to the lochan and the short reclimb

On the way down I thought I spotted some movement, hopefully red deer, nope two legged type. There were deer droppings everywhere and I could scent them but did I see any, not one.

Coming off final slopes and the long moor trek ahead

The walk back seemed longer than the ascent but there was plenty to look at so never boring.
The first big climb since my travails on the Munros but glad to say all seemed normal, that was just a bad day.
It might be the runt of the twins but the terrain is certainly harder walking than Cul Mor. Stunning views and a day to remember.

Wildlife: Golden Eagle; Raven; Meadow Pipit; Curlew
Ascent: 802m
Distance: 11.3km
Time: 4.24