Where did the sun go? A damp ramble.....Carn na Coinnich

Hill: Carn na Coinnich (Hill of the moss)

Type: Fiona

Height: 673m

It’s Scotland so the recent spell of a few days of good weather was due to end and today was that day.

Back into beautiful Strathconon hoping not to meet any timber lorries on this very narrow at times single track as I drove to the start. Success.

Burn fairly dry but still a scenic spot

I made an early start hoping to miss the start of the rain but just as I closed my boot I felt and heard the first raindrops, just my luck.

Within minutes of the start I had my highlight of the day. A Merlin was chasing a Meadow Pipit, high speed manoeuvres. They disappeared into a copse so I know not the outcome. But for me it was my first sighting of a Merlin for years so a cracking start.

Out of Jubilee Wood into the smir

I reached Jubilee wood where my track continued through and beyond to meet up with the other alternative starting point at Dalbreac. I nearly visited on the descent more of this later.

Just before joining the main track I surprised a solo stag sporting its velvet clad antlers. I reckon from its size that it was a youngster.

The forecast said showers but this was proper rain and it continued falling almost all the way to the top. More surprising was the strength of the wind which was in my face, the joys.

There is an option for the young and/or fit to go straight up the side of Creag Ghaineamhach and do an undulating ridge walk. As I am neither and with the weather being yuk I opted for the long plod up the estate track. With hindsight it could have been a bike/hike.

On the estate track heading for the low point on the left

At least due to the distance the gradient was in my favour apart from one short but steep section. These stony estate tracks are sore on the feet but with the rubbish terrain either side it had to be stuck with. Some reports mentioned awkward burn crossings but these were not an issue today.

On a regular basis I spotted small herds of red deer, I wish I could cover the terrain as easily as them.

One report mentioned cutting off at an ATV track and following this across the moor. Even with the rain and my head more down than up I managed to avoid walking past, a good spot as easy to miss.

It turned out to be a good move even though it was very boggy in places. The track amazingly also disappeared at times. How can a heavy vehicles tracks that churns up the soft ground disappear, no idea but it happened. On the track I clearly walked close to a Golden Plovers nest as both birds were alarm calling and diving close but never that close.

The last post with the top in sight

Onwards and upwards on the muddy track at times heading for the wooden marker stakes as well as following the tracks when obvious.

It flattened out where I spotted what I thought was a trig but I also thought that it seemed too close.

As it turned out it was indeed the top and I had even more fortune as the ATV track went all the way to the top. Great as the surrounding moor was not that pleasant. I was so glad I did not go the ridge route as it would have meant a long hike across very poor terrain.

View from summit looking towards the Orrin reservoir

Despite the low clouds and grey skies the views were atmospheric enough to have been worth the effort.

The SMC book suggests completing Meall nan Damh as well but it has subsequently been ratified that Coinnich is the true Fiona and the OS map has Damh at 2 metres lower. So with the poor weather and the terrain I passed on that opportunity to extend my ramble.

Looking back Loch Gruamach and Loch an Daimh Ghlais. Ideal for wild swimming if your into that sort of thing.

Zoomed in to the Strathconon Corbetts

Suddenly the wind ramped up considerably so time to head back. It was really strong and glad it was mainly back to side so easier going. On the descent I was missing the ATV track much more than the ascent, properly relying on heading for those wooden markers to get back on track.

Pleasant view back into Strathconon

Back on the track it was sheltered so I was in no hurry, content to stop and take in the views, try and name those hills in view etc. Hood up and down heavy showers at times.

Meadow Pipit

Strathconon Corbetts maybe later in the year

I was so engrossed in the wildlife and the surrounding hills that when I spotted a roof top not that far away I pulled up. I had walked past my turn off. I could have continued to the village and road walked back but it was easier and safer to backtrack.

Jubilee Wood

I was soon looking down onto Jubilee Wood. It was in a sorry state and if it was planted for the Jubilee it has not fared we. A cuckoo called from the outskirts, not the first heard today but I could not spot it.

Finally back to the car as the wind blew even stronger wow where has this weather front come from.

Despite the weather it was an enjoyable ramble but the sighting of the Merlin made my day.

Ascent: 635m

Distance: 12.5km

Time: 4.15

Wildlife: Merlin; Red Deer; Meadow Pipit; Golden Plover; Cuckoo; Yellowhammer;

Mainly pathless grassy slopes with the reward of excellent views..... Meall na Faochaig

 Hill: Meall na Faochaig (Hill of the shell or spiral)

Type: Fiona

Height: 677m

I had an early start as the forecast was for the warmest day of the week and although this is not a mega ramble I wanted up and down before the highest temperatures kicked in.

It is never a hardship to drive through Strathconon hemmed in by hills with a couple of lochs alongside and fantastic views much of the time. But also keeping an eye out for cars suddenly appearing on the very narrow single trek road, early morning so mainly parents taking their kids to meet the school bus.

Parked up at the usual spot beside the River Meig and walked along the road to the start of the hill track. The cows in the nearby with their small calves were giving me the hard stare, unblinking, they would make good poker players.

It was good to have a track to make the initial ascent as I had had a poor sleep and was feeling leggy so better to have a track before the cross country ascent.

The views were already good as I ascended the lower slopes but some fairly fresh cow droppings kept me on constant lookout. The track is presumably a maintenance track for some small masts further on. A snipe burst out of its track side cover only metres before I approached, zig zagging at rocket pace but not alarm calling. A solo red deer hind watched me before wandering off, it definitely was faster going uphill than me.

The initial zig lasted longer than expected before it became the zag. I followed it for a few minutes before deciding to start the pathless cross country slog.

I was not at my best so this was a slow ascent picking out the grassy sections to make it a bit easier. Rare for me I was following my heart rate and taking a short pause when it was getting close to what I used as my limit.

I regularly spotted small groups of red deer dotted about the landscape but never larger than half a dozen of them.

This was another grassy hill with minimal forward views so when you thought you were getting to the highpoint a higher one appeared behind it. Sorry no snaps of this uphill slog as the two I took had large sun flares.

After the steep slog I started to contour towards a high point of the ridge where I had spotted the fence line that I wanted to follow to the top.

When I crested the ridge I was rewarded with excellent views on all sides but the way ahead was a bit rough.

I followed the dilapidated fence, ironic I thought, who was the most dilapidated today, me or the fence?

One of the hinds has spotted me

Not the easiest terrain so a bit of meandering to walk on the better ground. Spotted a pair of red deer standing in a peat hag, again holding their ground until the last minute.

Looking back the real top gone too far I blame the peat hagged terrain

I had spotted a rocky outcrop which looked like the high point so headed for that. When I stood at it pleased to have reached the summit I looked back at noticed a higher pointed rock when it dawned that I had walked past the true top.

More peat hag dodging as I worked my way back to the true summit.

Time to relax at the summit and take in the 360deg views, this really is a top all encompassing viewing hill.

View across to the Strathfarrer Munros with Mheadhoin in foreground

Achnasheen sat below the Munro of Fionn Beinn whose shape is much more attractive than from ground level. I could see the Fiona of Beinn Mheadhoin with the background of the Strathfarrer Munros. Less snow on them than the my last sighting.

My descent started looking over to Torridon, not bad at all.

I had a cracking view down into scenic Gleann Meinich, an interesting name seems germanic to me but probably wrong. Across the glen was the prominent craggy Creag Ghlas where I knew an eagles eyrie was located but sadly none were spotted today. To its right the Corbett of Meall nan Eun in the foreground and its partner Sgurr a’ Mhuilinn sitting behind, also accessed from Strathconon, on my to-do list.

Just getting a view of Loch Meig

On my drive in I had spotted cattle on the possible descent route so I decided to play safe and just return the same way.

There were about half a dozen goats on the hill

I took a more direct line which was rougher going but manageable although my dodgy knee started feeling it. Obviously hoping it would not blow so I took it easier going descending via the non heather patches.

On the zag looking towards Loch Beannacharain & Glencarron beyond

Enjoyed the views as I descended but the heat had ramped up considerably so I was constantly hydrating as it I was slightly uncomfortable with the long trousers on resulting in a bit of overheating.

Walked past the coos with their even more evil stares and glad to get back to the car to get some shorts on and cool down a bit.

Another ramble with superb views up top but glorious scenery from the start so one to be recommended but save it for a good viewing day. 

Ascent: 546m

Distance: 7.2km

Time: 3.16

Wildlife: Snipe; Meadow Pipit; Raven; Red Deer; Wheatear; Common Lizard;

Snow, heat & views.....Beinn Mheadhoin (Strathconon)

Hill: Beinn Mheadhoin (Middle Mountain)

Type: Fiona

Height: 613m

It was an interesting drive along a very narrow remote single track to get to the start of the walk. Met a couple of vehicles but thankfully no reversing required. The biggest surprise was about 10 miles in when I came across a sign ‘School’. In the middle of nowhere there was still an active primary school, blimey, long may it continue.

There was already a car in the small grassy parking area at Inverchoran. I parked carefully so that I could get out should other cars come along. There are 2 Fionas and a Corbett from this spot as well as cycling or just walking into the glens.

I had the option of this Fiona or its neighbour Meall na Faochaig and the final decision was the amount of snow. From here Mheadhoin looked the clearer so that was my choice.

The forecast was for a warm day but it certainly did not feel that when I started but I was clad lighter than normal.

View from the parking area at Inverchoran

I wandered down to the estate buildings where a sign indicated walkers to go left across a bridge to the cottage and cross the ford here. So being a good boy I did as told but the ford was wider and running deeper than expected. I was wearing my gaiters so got across without water going over my boots, a couple of handy stones just under the water but they had a good grip, not slimy.

An estate track wound its way up the hill and ahead of me I spotted an ATV heading up it. It was steep and I was puffing a lot more than expected, not until later would I learn I had yet another infection, it had been a bad run.

Having one of my breathers I spotted a couple of deer well camouflaged against the chocolate brown heather and the white snow patches. As I did so I looked back and noted that there were a couple more vehicles in the parking area and a party of 6 along with two dogs were walking down to the estate buildings. I didn’t see them again so I presume they were heading for the Corbett Bac an Eich.

The ATV track rose around the slopes of Creagan a’ Chaorainn and although it was loose and stony it could have made a good bike/hike.

Almost the end of the track for me. The Munro of Carn nam Gobhar beyond

I came to another ford and peaking out beyond it was the Munro Carn nam Gobhar thankfully not my destination.

Crossed the ford which was in the Am Fuar-alltan and soon after I spotted a faint ATV track going through the very boggy ground. What I had missed until found it on the descent was a good stalkers track which ran closer to the burn than my heading. One lives and learns.

Looks benign but all these snow patches held deep holes

So having missed the track I slipped and slid my way up the hill. There were many snow patches that I could not avoid crossing and stepping on many of them I went in over the knees. Thus it was slower and tougher going than this would normally be.

Spot the Golden Plover

Additionally there were many small crags which would also be straightforward to negotiate but the small but many deep snow pockets had to be managed making them a bit more awkward. A golden plover sounded its annoyance at being disturbed, its nest was no doubt close by but it did stay put long enough to let me get a snap.

No hardship to pause and take in the views as I climbed. The Corbett of Bac an Eich

As I got higher the snow on the more open ground was easier to get round. I was in no rush as the views were spectacular. On the summit area next to no snow.

The summit was reached and the view just appeared, a wow moment. Strathfarrer Munros

A wider shot

I spotted the high point which was situated on top of a small crag. When my head was above the crag line it was a genuine ‘wow’ moment as directly ahead was the snow covered Strathfarrer Munros. It was a memorable view. The 360deg view was a similar landscape of mostly white covered winter hills. Once again it proves that it does not have to be the biggest hill to get the best view.

As I took in the view I spotted a small bird bouncing my way. I thought it was going to land on the rocks beside me until it got within 6 feet or so when it took fright and turned away. Absolutely delighted as it was a female snow bunting, absolute yonks since I seen one. I briefly spotted a male and had a few more brief female sightings. They normally travel in small groups of 5-10. It was not just the views that made my day this was special.

Long view west to the Munros of Achnashellach

Unusually for me I spent a long time taking in and fully enjoying the views until the cold sent me on my return journey.

On the descent it was much warmer, so much so that I was unzipping both jacket and trouser vents to let some cooling air in.

Stunning descent with bags of views, I did not notice the lochan on the way up

About a third of the way off the hill I was avoiding a big snow patch when I discovered the stalkers track. For some reason it was mostly snow free so of course I followed it. There were a few times that I looked over to see my deep snow trail unbelievable that this good track was so close and that I had not spotted it.

There was one snow patch that I couldn’t avoid and had a heel slip. With an open jacket my slide introduced a lot of snow into my trousers and pants, unpleasant very wet and cold!!

I now had to cross the ford which this time was more awkward than on the ascent. That rise in temperature was enough to increase the snow melt and as such raising the water level.

Walking back down the track I had good views of Meall na Faochaig. From here it looked like there was more snow patches on its pathless slopes than I had encountered. I had considered doing the double but it would have been more of a grind than I was fit for today. I will leave it for another day. When it should be a nice outing, midgies excepted.

I arrived back at the estate houses to find that the snow melt water had risen considerably at the ford, no doubt I was going to get wet feet if I crossed. It was not just deeper but running much faster.

Well aa they were unlikely to see me again I ignored the water challenge and just walked past the estate houses without looking at their windows and not challenged by the inhabitants.

It was an enjoyable ramble but I knew that this was far from my normal levels of fitness which did reduce my enjoyment.

But what a panorama and a snow bunting, I will appreciate the positives.

Ascent: 584m

Distance: 9.6km

Time: 4.09

Wildlife: Raven; Snow Bunting; Red Deer; Meadow Pipit; Golden Plover; Peacock butterfly; Tortoiseshell butterfly;