The straightforward approach....Tom nam Fitheach

Hill: Tom nam Fitheach (Hill of the Raven)

Type: Sub2k

Height: 275m

During one of the stormy days I went for a drive to recce the various starting points for Tom but from my observations of these options I did not fancy this hill one bit. There had been much recent deforestation but even with that I could not see any sign of the ridge. It also looked pretty steep ascending into the trees. Some reports had mentioned using fire breaks but I could not spot any. Looked like a non starter.

Back in the warmth of my flat I got the map out. There did seem a possible route from the end of the plantation towards the Dervaig side. So more internet searching and thanks to Gill on Hill-bagging for giving me the route inspiration and although I did not stick exactly to hers it was a positive moment. Her description matched what I was looking for but it had one obstacle, a deer fence that had to be gotten over , gate or climbed, I would find out.

After three wild days the storms had blown themselves out so I drove along Glen Bellart and parked up on the grass beside the cattle grid. A bit of manoeuvring was required to get far enough off the single track road but not tumble off the edge, so that no passing farm or forestry vehicles would clip my car.

Starting point

From my planning the route to be followed was simply a case of climbing up to the end of the tree line, the deer fence prominent on my right.

Later in the year these lower slopes would be bracken covered and quite awkward but were fine just now as it has all died back.

I spotted a track to head for. As I got closer it was obvious from the heavy indentations that it was made by cattle and from the fresh dung heaps they were not far away.

That kept me more alert as I looked out for them and indeed I soon spotted some higher up and off to my left. These were not on my line of ascent but there could be others.

I could never see too far ahead due to the steepness of the ground. The ground close to the fence was marshy so I headed slightly further away from the fence onto higher ground but if the cattle hadn't been around I would have gone further west.

The trees go on a bit further than I thought

As per Gill I was heading for point 254m before finding a spot to climb the fence. As I gained height I had good views of the ridge and summit clearly on my right. There looked shorter more direct options but possibly poorer walking so I preferred the point 254m option as I then had the ridge to walk and hopefully better terrain.

It was on/off marshy ground full of tussocks but still reasonable walking. It was my first walk for a weeks and even though it was short I felt good and was enjoying it.

Red deer in the hollow near the fence

Walking over a small rise just short of point 254m I disturbed a dozen or so grazing red deer hinds. The took their usual flight pattern consisting of them initially running, then stopping for a look at me before running again and disappeared towards Loch Frisa.

At this point I was pondering where to climb the fence and I noticed that it made a 90deg turn where extra wooden posts could assist my climb. I had not spotted a gate the whole way up. But even better, it was bingo time as on the other side of the turn the wind had blown a couple of sections of fence down quite low. Sitting on one of the posts my weight flattened it even further (no comments please) so I was able to bum slide along the post to the other side of the fence. Inelegant but better than climbing.

I was right where I wanted to be. The map showed that this part of the ridge should be clear of trees and indeed it was. I could now walk this all the way. It was good going for the most part. Sadly the view ahead in the poor light was not the most attractive but it would not take too long to get there.

I took an indirect line and headed to the left of a small lochan before cutting back over the moor and headed to the top.

View to the true top. Notice how many Sitka spruce trees are growing from natural seed droppings

There are two tops on the map, both designated as the same height so of course I had to visit both of them. The 1^st one I came to is deemed to be the true high point but I hoped the second might have better views but that was not the case. Still it was minimal extra effort. The views were not bad particularly looking north and west. The haze impacted the other directions but after the recent weather no complaints.

Heading left of lochan

Southerly end of Loch Frisa with Ben More in background

On the descent from the summit I had been keeping a close eye over Loch Frisa and it’s high point of Speinne Mor as I knew that a pair of White Tailed Eagles had a nest around here. When we were in the nearby bird hide at Loch Torr there were regular sightings in the visitors book. 

Cropping heavily affected picture quality but undeniably a White Tailed Eagle

And then my prayers were answered, coming out of the haze from Loch Frisa was that bird.

Heading through the middle of the trees on the high ridge line

North end of Loch Frisa

I took a slightly more direct route back to the fence, sticking to the better going on the high point of the terrain and then another bum slide.

Buzzard

Another cropped zoom affected the quality. They were so high up but my take was a  Golden Eagle centre flanked by a pair of buzzards. Feel free to disagree.

On the way down there was commotion high up in the blue skies above me where a pair of buzzards were trying to intimidate an eagle. I hadn't the binos with me but even without them it seemed to me that it was a golden and not a sea eagle. As the eagle circled higher and higher the buzzards eventually gave up and flew back down to look for worms or whatever they were eating today.

Tiered landscape

Whilst on the way down I had a good view across the glen and took note of the tiered landscape. I was aware of a tiering on this side on the ascent that felt like I was going up a series of broad steps. It reminded me of the parallel roads in Glen Roy. Quite feasibly a similar ice age phenomenon as this is also a narrow glen with the sea not too far away.

The earlier mentioned herd of cattle, about 30 plus, had spotted me but they were far enough away to not be interested. Grazing on fresh grass was more important than chasing me.

Overall this was a cracking little ramble and definitely the way to tackle the hill. Time and distance wise I don’t see the point of going more directly through the trees. But a rare event on a hill walk, despite its name, no Ravens.

Ascent: 303m

Distance: 5.8k

Time: 2.13

Wildlife: Meadow Pipit; Skylark; Chaffinch; Buzzard; Red Deer; White Wagtail; Golden Eagle; Sea Eagle

A Mull Graham the easy way.....Cruach Choireadail

 Hill: Cruach Choireadail (Corrie of the meadow)

Type: Graham

Height: 618m

Weather has been awful during this short family holiday, but I took advantage of a short morning to escape for a higher ramble.

This hill is normally done as a duo but no time for that today so an up and down ascent. As a single it is normally recommended as a very steep direct ascent for about an hour of pain. Not for me that level of exertion. I had driven past this before and noticed an ATV track that looked an opportunity. A look at the map and I could use this to get up to a high ridge and tackle the hill from there.

The ridge from the start but I am going the other way

From the road the boggy track can be seen climbing away from the target

There is parking for two cars maximum at the track to a mast in Glen More. I walked down past the mast and there was the ATV track on the right. It is not the best feeling to be walking away from your target at the start of the walk but that's what I did. The track meanders up the hill, very boggy at times, even becomes a parallel track at times but overall, a lot better than the deep grass and bracken alongside. That insect bite last month has taken its toll with not a lot of exercise since then. As such I was huffing and puffing away and felt decidedly not good early on but pleased that as I climbed, I was improving.

The ATV track does have off shoots, but I ignored them and continued all the way to the ridge.

Possible to cut across from here

Going that bit higher better walking

Small herd of red deer hinds in the distance

From here it was good walking along the ridge. It added more ascent and descent but worth it for the generally better underfoot conditions. There are excellent views of big hills all around, Mull has many steep beasts rising from sea level. Great views down glens back to numerous lochs.

Undulating ridge walk then the grassy scree climb up Cruachan Beag. I was surprised how good I was feeling long may it continue.

A last short drop and then the final ascent up to the top. An hour 34m so pleased by that. The easier long way around was not really that much longer and a lot less strenuous.

Ben More on right

Graham of Sgurr Dearg peak on the left

Raven comes for a scrounge

Rum Cuillins in distance

A disappointingly small cairn greeted me, but the views did not disappoint. It had been a grey day with the odd blue patch. The close view is dominated by another Graham, Ben Buie. Further afield Ben More with Loch na Kean shimmering light blue, very nice. In the distance the peaks of Skye, Rum and the Cruachan Argyll hills.

The wind was now gathering strength. A storm was due in the afternoon, but these winds heralded the early front.

Back along the ridge to the bulge in middle of snap

Ben Buie

I returned the same way once again enjoying the ridge before descending back via the ATV track looking at the impressive/imposing ascent ridge of Ben Buie. One for my next visit, maybe!!

Ascent: 614m

Distance: 8.7km

Time: 3.01

Wildlife: Meadow Pipit; Raven; Red deer.

A ramble on a new island for us.....Ulva

 Walk: Ulva Ramble

I had my hill walk the other day so time for something gentler as the good lady was in tow. I had been meaning to visit Ulva for some time so a good opportunity for a relatively low walk ramble.

As you know I love a ferry trip to start a ramble and today was only a couple of minutes long on a small boat taking 8 people at most, but I was happy.

Landed on Ulva and paid the ferryman the tariff of £6 a head. It was dry when we landed but forecast was not so good. Ferryman said it had been constant grim since last September and this year the poorest weather he could remember, I concurred.

On an island I always feel that this is different and today was no exception. There is a variety of marked trails around the island well waymarked, small map given by the Ferryman. On most routes you can mix and max as appropriate.

Inside Sheila's cottage

From the Boathouse we visited Sheila's Cottage where there is a good display of the history of the island. Next the church built by Thomas Telford, can seat 300 people. A sign of the times, current population 5!!

Telford's Church

Golden Eagle jusi in snap. The smaller speck on left is a Raven so good perspective of size

We were heading for the Ormaig trail but first headed through the wood trail, wet and muddy. As we entered a clearing near the church Ravens flew over and decided to have some fun annoying a buzzard. As a studied this through the binos a shape much higher up came into view, ya beauty a Golden Eagle rising with the thermals. A cracking start.

Island hydro system

Good lady was not expecting off road stuff

Through more woods before breaking out of the trees, now views of the islands highest point, the Sub2k of Beinn Chreagach. One to do at a later date without the good lady in tow. The number of Ravens flying about was quite amazing. At one point I counted 14 in the sky at the same time. They were quite happy to do close fly pasts their wings so loud.

One of the many Ravens came for a look

A sign warning of livestock ahead concerned her a bit but although there were heaps of dung on the track, we never spotted them or better still they never spotted us.

If you want to visit the standing stone suggest you visit in winter

The track was good but old school, rough and muddy, with which, at times, the Good Lady was not quite so happy.

Super views opened up particularly seaward over the Treshnish Isles, the Dutchman’s Cap quite breathtaking. prominent.

The splash ahead of the boat was all I got of the dolphins on camera

Buzzard before it got mobbed by Ravens

I was looking through the binos at a yacht when I realised that a dolphin pod was leaping either side of the boat, superb. I gave the binos to the good lady, but they stopped showing. A few minutes later I spotted splashes in the water, so they were still around but well away from the yacht. I saw another boat heading towards them and as it slowed to a crawl they reappeared. Sadly, the good lady could not see them even through the binos so a sad spot for her but excitement for me.

Ominous changing sky

Ben More showing well

There is always a ruined boat somewhere

Storm clouds were gathering, the wind had picked up, so we headed back. The views dominated by Ben More and surrounding hills, good on the eye even with the poorer light.

As we passed a ridge a fast-flying bird got my attention. No doubt a Peregrine clear through the binos but no chance of a snap. As it headed away the speed picked up considerably, but it never flushed any prey.

Back at the Boathouse it was time for lunch. For me Langoustines cannot get much fresher than this, caught this morning and for the good lady Spanish Omelette both superb. A fitting end to a good ramble.

Ascent: 211m

Distance: 8.11km

Time: 3.48

Wildlife: Dolphin; Golden Eagle; Peregrine Falcon; Buzzard: Raven; Common Darter; Speckled Wood; Blackbird;

Scorcher on Dun Da Ghaoithe

As is the norm for me the main difficulty is finding the start of the walk. I must have missed the sign for Torosay Castle so was surprised to find a large sign for Duart castle around the same place, had they changed names? I knew I had gone further than the WH description but I turned up a tarred lane on the right and soon parked up. Although a track headed through woods this did not feel right.

Iron ladder on right

So back onto main road headed back, past a working quarry then took the next turning and parked in a good sized area next to a field, not as described but! Not a good start when getting the OS map out to check where I was!!
The temperature was already 18 degrees at 8.30am so a warm day ahead, hence the early start.

1st view of hill at 1st mast

I come across the big iron ladder so in the right place and followed the stony maintenance route to the 1st mast, 50 mins to here, where I get my first views of the hill. Sweating already, there is no breeze along with the heat from the stone path.
Quite a few short stops to take in the views behind, plenty of Calmac ferries around today.

1st full view of hill

Still half the ascent done and onto mast 2 after 1.15hr. Now there are excellent views of the long ridge ahead.
There is a track to follow all the way up, sometimes faint and then lost but quickly retrieved.

Basalt tracks

Just ahead I spot what is a good example of a basalt dyke, two lines of solidified lava running downhill, right to left about half way in the picture.

Last section

A short but steep climb with some narrow ridge walking to add to the fun but no danger today. At least steep the way my legs were feeling, and I arrived at the trig point and first huge cairn and another cigarette shaped trig at 1 hour 50.

Sgurr Dearg

Superb views as you crest the ridge particularly of the Graham Sgurr Dearg with another Graham, Beinn Talaidh far left.
 

View from trig to true summit

Next a 20 minute descent and ascent to reach the next big cairn and the true summit. In some ways the views of Mull are better from here than Ben More. Down below the small ferry is sailing to Lochaline.

Hazy Ben More

Ben More itself standing out. Longer distance still superb but much hazier than 2 days ago.
Time for a ham sannie whilst enjoying the views of Morvern and towards Oban. Then surprised when I felt a sharp pain on my leg, looked down and a bloody clegg was taken a bite plenty of blood. Killed and cream administered time to head back.

Mast on the descent

On the descent the heat was really coming through, glad I wasn’t one those going up. It turned out to be Scotland’s hottest day of the year so far, car registered 28 deg before driving home.

Lismore ahead

A good but not a great walk, not sure if I would do it for a 2nd time.


Time: 4.13hr
Ascent: 2869ft 
Distance: 9.52