My final red Fiona.....Creag Ruadh (Laggan)

Hill: Creag Ruadh (Laggan) (Red Cliff)

Type: Fiona

Height: 622m

I had this short ‘straightforward’ ramble provisionally planned for an off season late autumn/winter/spring walk but as I was in the area I decided to bag it. The weather had been awful, more monsoon than flaming summer and the prediction for the next fortnight was similar. After an inactive period an internal pep talk about positive thinking was required, in particular how sitting in the house gets you nowhere.

Following that I pep talk I got out and drove north, surprisingly dry, and found myself at the start of the walk, the farmstead of Sherrabeg, beside Laggan reservoir. There is no obvious parking but a wide grassy off road section was ample. Of course light rain arrived as I changed.

I had read reports that there was an ATV track to initially follow, which to be fair is around in parts but lets just say that it has been many a year since an ATV has been up here.

A fast running brown water burn with small waterfalls reinforced the level of rain that has fallen recently. 

ATV track, nope

Definitely no track, this is why it should not be a summer walk

Through a kissing gate which didn't really want to open, and then there is a faint track but my fears over a summer walk were quickly realised. The section between this kissing gate and the next was unpleasant to say the least. One report says it’ was mostly soggy and boggy in some places’ how about everywhere! 

I headed into the normal woodland growth and then the bracken appeared. This was literally head high and dense. Pushing through hoping I was on track was the only option, apart from turning back which did cross my mind. The day was so humid I was sweating profusely and the flies had noticed. Oh, I forgot to that the rain had begun to belt down so rain gear donned and internal temperature too high.

From this kissing gate the ‘track’ was just wet, every footstep was into water. The fence was on one side and many fallen trees led to a few different route choices.

Happy to get out of the forest section, turn right at end of tree line

Onto open terrain I left the deer fence and took a more direct line to a ridge top but you could follow the fence if wanted.

There was a faint track which had become a water course so walking to the side was easier but more through deep heather which was like walking through snow. Also I had not been feeling too great recently and my chest was not working in conjunction with the rest of my body. Some sort of infection was confirmed when I was snorting out thick green phlegm, disgusting I know but that was the reality. I was stopping far too often and again the flies did not miss this.

It did not help that I was following this false track as when I reached the high point I moved over to the deer fence and realised I had missed the section where other reviewers had crossed. So cursing I backtracked downhill until I found some loose wires which allowed me to cross over.

Peat hags but avoidable

Trig in sight and heather flowering adds some colour

Once again climbed up to the ridge where I came across a cairn from which I could see a trig in the distance. The terrain is boggy peat hag stuff so I headed for an old fence which followed the higher ground to the trig.

Threatening skies

Brighter for now over to Creag Megaidh hills

Loch Laggan and the sandy beach from Monarch of the Glen

Darker over the Alder Munros

A good viewpoint even in these conditions. The best view today is over Loch Laggan with the white sands just in view. Familiar if you were into the Monarch of the Glen. Creag Meagaidh massif is under cloud and a lot more is around.

Loch na Lairge

My original plan was to make a circuit out of this ramble via Black Craig and the hill fort but with the weather and my poorer health I decided otherwise.

1st wild fungi of year, fairy ring mushroom I think

Relieved to get closer to the finish but bracken forest ahead

The number of flies had multiplied when I entered the humid wooded area. So much so that I was fully hooded and masked, far too warm but better than fly attacks. The bracken seemed worse than the ascent, how quickly can it grow?

So overall a straightforward ramble became far more energetic than it should have been but the views were good so worthwhile. As well as completing the 3 Creag Ruadh Fionas.

Ascent: 393m

Distance: 5.6km

Time: 2.20

Wildlife: Meadow Pipit; Ringlet butterfly;

Short and sweet.....Creag Ruadh Dalwhinnie

 Hill: Creag Ruadh (Red Cliff)

Type: Fiona/Graham

Height: 658m

There are times when the worlds collide, and events transpire to say this is really not your day.

I was heading north for a short trip when within the space of five minutes I received two calls about different relatives and hospitalisation. No choice turnaround required.

A few days later I tried to retrieve something from what was left of my trip. Typically, the main event I was heading to and now missed was ascended on a beautiful day. Now storms forecast, the joys. I was for just of a mindset to forget the trip, but the good lady persuaded me to use the last couple of days of the booking I had made.

So, an early morning start as the storms were due that afternoon. After a few hours' drive a break was required, I was looking for a short leg stretcher. Creag Ruadh was on my to-do list so on paper this fitted the bill perfectly. Another benefit was a high-level start meaning less ascent, quicker and therefore less effort. What's not to like for a mid-drive leg stretcher like this.

My original plan was to have some food at Dalwhinnie before the ascent. But as I drove north the clouds had lowered and were much darker so just on with the ramble.

This was now my 2^nd ascent of Graham with the same name and there is still a 3rd out there.

There are varying options to ascend but I chose one of the most direct routes primarily as I was mid journey. Looking at the map there are some grouse shooting ATV trails that could be used but most walking would be across rough pathless heather. At this time of the year, it should be fine.

Creag Ruadh is basically a big featureless heather clad lump, not sure why it is not a top of the nearby Munro of Meall Chuaich but I don't make these lists.

Easy to miss ATV track

I found a report online and parked at a field entrance beside the A9. The start was an ATV track directly across the road, watch out for the fast traffic.

There was an immediate steep ascent of about 150m. More than enough to get my lungs blowing.

When it flattens out the ATV track contours back towards Dalwhinnie. For a longer ramble it can be followed and then a gentler gradient of ascent.

Bit boggy at times but straight up from here

Hidden butts

Drying out a bit as muirburn patches help

But with the weather front approaching I left the track and headed directly across the moor aiming for the high point. It was rough going but aided by muirburn patches and animal tracks good progress was made. Before long I was there.

A huge cairn for by Graham standards even with a built-in shelter. I suspect this is for the benefit of the grouse beaters and not us walkers. 

Good views across to the nearby Munro of Meall Chuaich. 

More impressive views looking south towards Loch Ericht and The Fara whose ridge is under the cloud. 

Looking north the Cairngorms pleasant viewing but nothing standing out, cloud too low.

Rough descent but saw all 3 hares going down

A more direct line of descent spring plenty of red grouse. Also spotted 3 different mountain hares, very nice to see. Interestingly they were all close to muirburn patches, the fresh growth tasty, I wonder.

I nearly stepped on a snare trap, used my pole to spring it and tossed it into some deep heather, my feel-good moment of the day.

Car still parked across the road

A9 south

A short but satisfying ramble, met the objectives. Headed to the Truck Stop at Newtonmore as still early enough for a brekkie roll and coffee. I have earned it. As I sat in my booth and looking out the window, the rain and wind arrived, good timing for a change.

Ascent: 346m

Distance: 4,01

Time: 1.28

Wildlife: Red Grouse; Mountain hare