The boggy squelchy ramble to.....Meall Fuar-mhonaidh

Hill: Meall Fuar-mhonaidh (Cold round hill)

Type: Fiona

Height: 699m

The horrible weather forecast meant that the planned long ridge walk was cancelled. The problem was that I did not have an obvious plan B so after brekkie the computer was opened and a search began. With the weather forecast I wanted a quick up and down before the rains came so opted for this Fiona, bonus as it was only 10 minutes drive away.

An early start and 1^st car in the parking area, I thought I would be the only rambler on this remote hill, how wrong I was.

After the very cold weather yesterday I opted for a baselayer and my heavier Paramo jacket.

Hill can be seen from the start

The walk begins at the end of a tarmac road that I well remember as a section of the Great Glen Way.

Initially it is a woodland ramble and a lovely section it was. A burn gurgling away as the birds sang in the early morning light. A lovely woodland with a mixture of trees alongside lines of yellow daffodils bringing a stunning colour contrast to the greens and greys of the woodland.

It was humid and I was cursing the choice of the heavier jacket but before long I would be very glad I had it. The next section is a narrow stony track heading up to a deer fence and a very large stile. Looking at the hill I could see it was clear up top, hopeful.

Over the fence and now onto open moorland. There is a track that is both stony and boggy but at least it is there. I heard a noise and two small dogs appeared followed by the owner. Highland accent, not too chatty and presumably lives nearby as no car.

I thought I was looking at the summit but oh no

After my warm ascent I was now zipping up the jacket, it was a cool wind. Soon followed by the plip plop of individual raindrops hitting my jacket, soon to become more persistent rain.

1st false cairn can just be seen

The climb is a serious of lifts, six I think, with a short steep section followed by a short flat section and then repeating.

The route was turning into a mudfest. It has been a while since I have seen so much peaty ground turned into deep mud and in many instances it could not be avoided. The width of the track in some areas was amazingly wide where walkers tried to avoid the gloop but as it is steep ascents you are funnelled back to the mire. I am not sure what the rock is but there are steep sections that were very slippy so it became a tougher walk.

That's it closer

It is also another walk where you look up thinking that is the top but turns out not to be. It doesn't help that there are five false top cairns of various sizes and not all on the route, bit weird.

False tops are one thing in the dry when you can see them but totally different today when the rain was driving into my face, the clouds were down so every cairn looming out of the gloom held promise and then disappointment.

Looking back from summit to two other falsies

Snap better represents the conditions up top

I reached what I thought was the top cairn before realising there was yet another one in the gloom which thankfully turned out to be the real one. Once there a quick snap and no hanging about, no views, no point and I wanted my face out of the rain.

1st falsie with Loch Ness below

The return was slower as my so called top boot soles were not gripping and slipping on both the muddy sections and the rock ones, so slow careful progress.

The rain eased and looking back the top became clear but no way was I motivated to go back up through that gloop.

Cloud starting building from below and grew to a fair old size, something sinister about cloud forming ahead of me

On the descent I met a few people who all stopped for a chat, no surprise that the parking area was full when I got back.

Looked back frequently and the top was more under cloud than not but the heavy rain due at 11 had obviously came through earlier.

The level of mud made this more unpleasant than hoped but I suspect most of that does not dry out at any time. It is a very remote landscape and a ramble that had plenty of silence and the feeling of isolation, particularly on the ascent when I was mostly on my own.

Good views at times of Loch Ness but no Nessie, leave that sighting for another day.

Ascent: 575m

Distance: 9.8km

Time: 3.35

Wildlife: Red Grouse; Great Tit; Chiff Chaff; Raven (pair); Tree Pipit; Meadow Pipit; Skylark

Great Glen Way Drumnadrochit - Inverness

Walk: Great Glen Way Drumnadrochit - Inverness
Category: Long Distance Walks
Height: n/a
Well that’s it finally finished, my last section of the Great Glen Way, a bit sad. For various reasons it took me a year longer than planned but that’s life.
I will get my rant over first. This section is just one long walk, mainly on hard packed surfaces and my feet were sore. I had hoped to do this with lightweight boots as a summer walk but ended up in my mountain boots and they were not appropriate. The forecast was for snow showers which thankfully did not arrive. I was under some pressure with the very short daylight, no time for lingering ring en route. But I know my walking speed so was confident even over the long distance.
Sadly after being close to water on all the other sections this one most definitely is not. It is mainly through deforested woodland and open moorland, views limited to inland scenes.
And as for the end of the walk, see later!!
Still, lets concentrate on the walk.

Drumnadrochit and impressive War Memorial

I took the bus to Drumnadrochit where on arrival it was cold and drizzling rain but anticipation helps you ignore these. Beware the first 1.5 miles from here is a pavement walk until you reach the obvious Temple Pier area with a marker post to turn left into the countryside. Interesting information board about John Cobb’s speedboat record attempt, worth an internet search.

Looking back to Urquhart Castle on the peninsula

The track loops up and around houses before becoming a proper track with views back over the water and Urquhart Castle.

Woodland walking

It is now a steep climb through the woods with significant height gain but at least the track is carpeted with pine needles so nice and soft going. Autumn colours still prominent. A bunch of cyclo cross cyclists appear, the only other outdoor people I will meet today, no other walkers at all. Occasional breaks in the trees give brief glimpses of Loch Ness.

Stunning rainbow

As I broke out of the trees a beautiful rainbow started to form, a double showed briefly but cannot get fully formed. The snap does not do the colours justice, it was beautiful.

Deforestation in progress

I came across a forestry worker stacking up the fallen trees and stopped for a brief chat.
At the signpost for Abriachan Forest Walks, despite my time pressures, I chose the diversion route as much to get off the hard track. The track was obvious and soon led to a seat and viewpoint.

Start of Iron Age settlement

After that headed down to the iron age settlement which could be spotted through the trees. There are a few wooded constructions as well as some eco buildings. A very large chestnut brown bird burst from the undergrowth and flew quickly and silently into undergrowth, not sure what that was?  There are toilets at the settlement if required. 

Love these trees

Back on the main track which is now a straight line ahead lined with Silver birches stunning outlined against blue skies.

Eco cafe open all year

Cross a road and follow another track where you pass the eco café at Tomachoin, sadly no time to visit but it certainly looks interesting.
Now the second worst section for me was walking this tarmac road for 4 km (according to Walkhighlands) but it seemed a lot longer today, feet beginning to protest. Away from the relative shelter of the trees the temperature dropped considerably on this open moor, extra gear added for warmth. Red kites and buzzards circled the moor was I to be there scavenging prey? 

Finally off the tarmac

Boy was I glad to reach the newly constructed path which continues over the open moorland, the scenic views helped the time go by. 
The next section is a mixed forest, some of which is the old drovers trail route heading to the market at Falkirk.
The trees became pine woods again where I had an interesting experience. Just ahead I spotted some things floating down, strange no trees shedding leaves. Standing at the spot they continued to softly float down. It turned out they were feathers, grey and white, probably a pigeon being eaten by a raptor above me but I could not spot it.
There were good views of the Cromarty Firth on my left and when I reached the reservoir I finally got sight of Inverness ahead. 

Finally Inverness in sight

As I headed towards Great Glen House I passed a sign ‘Inverness castle 4 miles‘. This was now the worst section by far and it was a long 4 miles on protesting feet. The route is on and off tarmac roads, through housing estates, established and new building sites. Underpasses etc before briefly reaching the Caledonian Canal, it seems a long time since I last saw it.

Caledonian Canal I missed you

However this is a very brief interlude before more tarmac street walking to reach the River Ness. Then guess what, more tarmac walking to the end at the castle. Needless to say the rain joined me for these 4 miles and darkness arrived early. I had been under a tight time deadline but arrived as per my expectations.

Ness Islands almost finished

I believe that there is no such thing as a bad walk but that last section was stretching my positiveness. 
Overall I really enjoyed my Great Glen Way experience and was glad that I split it up experiencing it in all the different weather patterns Scotland gives us, all for the good.
Now time to hit the Black Isle bar for some well deserved beer. A pint of Red Kite would be an appropriate starter. 

Wildlife: Red Kite, Buzzard, Wren, Bluetit, Wood Pigeon, Blackbird, 
Time: 6.15
Ascent: 693m
Distance: 31.1k

Great Glen Way, Taking the high road Invermoriston - Drumnadrochit

Walk: Great Glen Way. Invermoriston - Drumnadrochit.

As I was in the area I decided to complete my penultimate stage of this long distance route. The forecast was for persistent rain arriving at lunchtime but in reality it sadly came much earlier.

Right after shop

I started from the car park in Invermoriston, heading along the Skye road turning right at the craft shop on the far side of the road.

Now follow the lane as it quickly climbs via the zig zag route and soon there are good views back down to Invermoriston.

Diversion

I was taking the High Route so I followed this diversion, not sure how new it is but the path is straightforward.

The path skirts the moor (deer fence all the way) before entering the wooded area for the next stretch. Still mostly climbing before it starts to descend steeply before rising again, a feature of the first half of this walk.  

Autumn woodland

As I leave the woods the rain comes on, lightly at first and then heavier and that was it for the day. 

Wood and stone sculpture

Out on the moor an open landscape, good views and a nice surprise reaching the artistic sculpture in wood and stone. Some pheasants are sitting in the tree beside it undisturbed by my passing. Maybe the shooting we can hear means ‘stay put’ to them.

Plenty of these on route

This area has been deforested and as I descended I look at the hill ahead to my left and spot a track near the summit. Then it clicks that is where I am heading, why am I descending? 

Ornate bridge

On this descent it crosses this lovely ornate wooden bridge, a real feature to remember.

Colour on a drab day

Thankfully the next uphill is once again a zig-zag route so just keep on going as it steeply climbs. Finally I reach the top section as it curves the south flank of Creag Dhearg. If you thought about climbing it forget that as a large deer fence needs to be climbed. 

Finally a sighting of Loch Ness

Now I am at the viewpoint overlooking Loch Ness, which no doubt is an excellent spot on a nice day, lesser so today in the rain.

Mid point

Sadly there has been limited sight of Loch Ness today and once again the route heads inland. The path is straightforward but it is becoming a bit of a trudge.

Indeed after the Pottery turn it becomes a road march for the next three miles not so enjoyable.

cafe). Here turn right and follow an off road path on the left side of the narrow road.

Moorland to Drumnadrochit

After views of the moor the route goes away from the road for the descent into Drumnadrochit but in reality still a lot more tarmac walking.

A walk of two halves the first being much more enjoyable than second. Also the amount of ascent was a bit surprising, I know read the route properly, this was meant to be a leg warm up for 4 Munros over the next two days, indeed it was.
One major gripe was that for almost the whole walk someone had dropped a used tissue roughly every mile. I would love to ask that person why they go to the effort of being out in our great landscape and spoil it in this way, sad unthinking people.
Now just the final section to do and an excuse to come back next month.
That’s if the one bus per afternoon turns up and gets me back to my car at Invermoriston.
Wildlife: Grouse, Pheasant, Wheatear, Stonecat.
Time: 5.21
Ascent: 735m
Distance: 23.6k