There was meant to be a hill track but where did it go?.....Carn nan Iomairean

Hill: Càrn nan Iomairean (Cairn of the Ridges)

Type: Sub2k

Height: 485m

Walkhighlands description: Càrn nan Iomairean is a sprawling hill on the south side of Loch Carron. Its northern slopes regularly throw down rocks and damage the A890 along its base.

With the horrible wet and windy weather I was now on Plan C. My original planned bike/hikes were no goes so I looked for something that had a track/path for a good bit. The OS map showed a path bypassing the hill and indeed I saw the Hill Path sign for the start when I drove past yesterday. Oh boy what a mistake!!!

Just along from the walk start there is a small quarry and a layby which surprise, surprise was occupied by 3 foreign campervans. I squeezed in, got changed in the rain and walked the short distance along the road to the sign for said Hill path to Glen Udalain.

First sign that things might not be to plan was the lack of track to the visible gate in the deer fence. A wee scramble up a muddy slope and through overgrown stuff to get to the gate.

The gate to pathless terrain

Through the gate then along a slight path before it headed into overgrown bracken trying to trip me up. 

The end of the track at the dilapidated fence

The beginning of the poor section

Reached an old gate where there was a very faint path uphill alongside a burn.

The next section was just hellish. Any semblance of a path disappeared in the overgrown terrain. Additionally there had been recent tree planting. The trees were planted on mounds of dirt and they seemed to be doing fine. But my problem was the digger had scooped out holes to provide these piles leaving holes now hidden by grass, bracken and heather. Trying to get uphill was very slow going.

Found the track or watercourse

Almost greeting when I was I relieved to find a section of the hill track even if it was flowing water. 

Spotted the gate in deer fence just need to get there

I could see a deer fence above me when I took the occasional glance upwards. Then more relief when I spotted a gate in the fence so headed to it. The rain was more on than off and every step, path or not, was a wet squelch.

Through the gate I found the odd section of track but mostly I was just route finding by eye and trying to find the easiest terrain. At this point I did have thoughts of turning back. OS maps suggested I was only half way there, I thought I was much further on and felt a lack of motivation.

Pep talk time to self.  Decision made and on I went and reach a dilapidated iron fence with the gate to nowhere. Shortly after I reconnected with the hill track which although it was like walking in a cascading burn it was so much better than everything beforehand.

With just the sound of running water there was more remote terrain to be plodded and then Loch nan Gillean appeared, bloody hell about time.

Tussocky slopes been in worse

Brief view towards the Attadale Munros

Not long after I passed it I left the track and took a direct line towards the summit. Deep tussocky grass and slightly boggy but I could live with it. Four stags appeared on the horizon, looked at me and just as quickly disappeared.

Skye should be in view from the summit but not today

Heading back to Loch Gillean just visible

As always a few false dawns before I finally reached the summit. A brief dry spell with the cloud lifted had shown me the summit but now I was here it was back to showers. The few views would be called atmospheric. Skye was not far away but I could not spot it.

Scotch Argus been a good year for them countrywide

Large Heath

All that was left was to head back the same way.  At least I had the track in my favour for this section. The rain and the humidity had me soaked inside and out but the warm humid atmosphere had butterflies flying. I suppose their survival instincts kick in regardless.  Also on a wet section I saw what looked like a legless pink newt. Later research suggested a Slow worm, if so my first sighting.

Another stand alone gate

I was more involved with the improving light and views although the camera does a great job of making it look dry when it was not. 

In the hellish terrain

But when I lost the track and slowly negotiated the awful tree planted section my enthusiasm dropped significantly as it was no better on the descent. Normally descending a better line can be found but not here.

Lochcarron over the water with Sgurr a'Gharaidh behind

After the tree plantation debacle I regained the outward rough track and progressed reasonably smoothly back to the start.

For sure not a hill I will return to as that was a real struggle on the lower slopes. If doing it I would suggest a spring walk when all the growth had died back and route finding might be a tad easier than today. Oh and pick a dry day!!

Ascent: 549m

Distance: 9.8km

Time: 4.21

Wildlife: Meadow Pipit; Red deer stag x4; Common Frog; Scotch Argus; Large Heath; Snipe x 2; Slow worm;