Meall Glac Thigh-fail

Hill: Meall Glac Thigh-fail (Hill of the narrow valley)

Type: Sub2k

Height: 521m

The good lady gave me some time off to attempt this Sub2k. A bit of an unknown hill but it had been on my Ullapool list for years and now was its time.

To be honest the reason for not doing it was probably more down to lack of enthusiasm than opportunity knowing it was going to be a moorland plod. The hills around here are absolutely covered in bracken which for me is a natural ecological disaster and not just here as all over Scotland it is growing out of control.

Yesterday we did a wee recce of the starting point as I had no intention of wading through large swathes of bracken for my exercise. The recce ruled out the Coffin Road start but I had a back up ascent which looked a possibility from our low level view.

Sadly the weather forecast was grim for most of the coming week so although scattered showers were forecast for today I went for it.

I parked up at the estates school bus stop, a bit of off road parking spot near Inverbroom lodge and donned waterproof trousers and jacket, protection against the weather but belt and braces approach to the ticks and clegs.

Heading to the V highpoint

Not today

My map showed the track where I wanted to start from but it passed very close to a private house. As I passed I was braced for a privacy shout but nothing came.

Estate boundary?

No way I would go through this without the track

After the house I was now walking on a grassy track hemmed in by bracken which at times was taller than me. Without the track I would not have been going any further. Came to an iron gate which thankfully was not locked and before long another one which led me passed the bracken. I was pleased to have some hill views.

The OS map showed that this track should take me quite high up but it would also take me away from the summit. It was a compromise but a direct assault was not an option for me today.

Again no intention of dropping down and ascending this terrain

The track did its job also giving good views of a couple of waterfalls which might flow stronger later in the week if the predicted rain arrives.

On the climb I was surprised to find that there were some serious drops into the gully on my right hand side. It gave me food for thought re whether I would have to descend this and reascend to get to the moor. I was thinking if so, pass.

The ford where I was leaving the track, no path now

Onwards and upwards until I spotted the area where I would cross the burn. Very low water flow so no problem. 

Finally got a glimpse of my objective

Boggy ground in front before so went to the right before ascending

It was time to hit a diagonal and aim for the summit which meant backtracking. Sounded straightforward and in some ways it was. But this was an undulating high moorland terrain full of peat hags and bogs. Lots of ups and downs over difficult walking terrain but I was not unused to such conditions. The summit looked a long way away at times, sometimes in view more often not, hidden by the humps of the terrain.

Young Stag

After about half an hour I was almost there and with just the final slopes to climb I spotted some red deer on the top, at least one stag and 3 hinds. I had walked past plenty of deer droppings so nice to see the culprits. A Painted Lady butterfly flew by, my first sighting for a couple of years so another plus.

Finally I arrived at the cairn, just as the wind picked up and a squally shower smacked me in the face. Good timing!

Looking towards Beinn Dearg hills

Rain showers coming from the Fannichs

Although the long distance views were spoiled with the cloudy misty weather they were still more than passable and would be excellent on a clear air day. As it is a stand alone hill there was much to see. The nearby Fannichs, across the way Ben Dearg hills, Assynt Corbetts, An Teallach and much more.

Arrived back above the ford

I thought about a circular but decided to return the same way. The tramp back over the moor seemed quicker than the ascent. It was still the same undulating terrain but at least I was clearer re my destination. One slight difference was that I had stayed higher but this made little difference until I made a straight line descent back to the ford.

Now on easy street so a slower wander down the track taking in the views back down to Ullapool.

Purple Beech trees had been planted all over the estate

I think this is an Azure Hawker

Speckled Wood

Back on level ground the final section of the ramble was a festival of stunning colour: foliage, butterflies and dragonflies.

Golden Ringed dragonfly

Painted Lady with a damaged left wing

Red Admiral

Common Blue

So once again a lesser fancied hill turned out to be a fine ramble. And it was a short one so time left to take the good lady for a drive for coffee and cake, I had earned my slice of sweetness.

Ascent: 584m

Distance: 8.7km

Time: 3.09

Wildlife: Painted Lady; Ringlet; Small White; Red Admiral; Peacock; Speckled Wood; Blue dragon fly? Brown dragon fly?: Raven; Meadow Pipit; Red Deer; Spotted Flycatcher; House Martin; Siskin; Robin;

Warm, blue skies, great views and lots of bitey things.....Meall nan Damh (Arran)

Hill: Meall nan Damh (Hill of deer or ox)

Type: Sub2k

Height: 570m

It has been absolutely yonks since I had a trip to Arran so I was all excited for this ramble. An early start to get to Ardrossan for the 1^st CalMac ferry and of course a black pudding and fried egg roll to set me up. After that on deck where I spotted porpoise so an excellent start to the day.

Jenny was waiting with the car so no messing about with buses today. A scenic drive over The String to the west of the island no hardship at all.

1st sighting of todays objective, not through the bracken thank god

Parked up at Thundergay it was already hot when we made the steady climb up to the popular Coire Fhionn Lochan. It is a well maintained track but the lower sections go through bracken flanked sections but just enough room to get through.

Out on the open moor and the views are opening up over the water to Argyll and north as well as inland to our destination.

Closer view ascending far left (Meall nan Damh) and descending via lump on the right (Meall Bhig). More water cascading the falls than I expected.

Our target is in view over to our left but our immediate ramble is heading towards imposing steep flanks of the Corrie. The only downside is that the flying insects are out in force particularly the clegs constantly warning each other to brush them off clothing. As it turned out when finished I had 5 bites through my clothing and none on open skin, ambush predators.

Stunning Coire Fhionn Lochan

The lochan suddenly appears and what a beautiful picturesque spot it is with a sandy beach at each end, other people already here. A good place to refresh the feet. Tadpoles swimming around the edges.

But we had a hill to bag so off we went up the eroded on/off track to the bealach to the right of Meall Bhig, a large cairn the obvious target. The cairn provided an excellent viewpoint back to the lochan. From here there is a grassy slope that goes above the corrie eventually leading to Beinn Bhreac.

Doesn't look too bad from here but rough ground for a wee while

But we were going in the opposite direction which was now going to be fully off track. I think Jenny was a little apprehensive looking at the slopes of Meall nan Damh. It is only 150 metres of steep ascent but without any obvious path all the grassy rocky crags it is a little imposing. As I said to Jenny ‘welcome to my world’, not the easy tracks of the Munro baggers.

We decided that heading to a small unmarked lochan in the direction of Glen Catacol and come of the flanks was the best option.

I can imagine that at different times this could be a very boggy section but today apart from the biting things it was fine. Small common frogs were all around.

It was here that a large flying bird caught our eye, obviously an eagle what a bonus. It was never close but stayed in sight for a couple of minutes. Looking at the poor snaps later it looked more like a White Tailed Eagle, either way a bonus sighting.

A bit steeper than it looked from back there

Witches Step

I used that track to do the Sub2k of Sail Chalmadale (see blog)

The climb was short but steep. It was just a case of short sections, stopping and trying to stick to grassy sections, avoiding the heather and hidden hazards as much as possible. Also lots of opportunities to stop and take in the views.

After about 100m the gradient eased and soon after it was a lovely stroll to the summit. The summit cairn surprisingly appearing not too far away, a welcome sight.

As hoped this was a stand alone hill that provided outstanding 360 degree views. All of Arrans big hills could be seen with some great jagged profiles. Looking north the arrochar Alps and the bulk of Ben Lomond. In the hazy distance Ben more.

Nearer by views into glen Catacol up to Loch Tanna, Arrans largest inland water.

And over the water to Argyll and further on the Paps of Jura. Very impressive and time to enjoy a snack and take it all in.

The hill is named after deer or ox but I suspect deer. On the top there were fresh droppings.

To make it a circular we headed down to a larger unmarked lochan. Not quite as steep as the ascent but care still required as many hidden holes. Skirting the lochan it was a bit boggier as we headed up the side of Meall Bhig when a hind appeared on the skyline being followed by possibly the smallest calf I have seen, possibly only days old. But as quick as the appeared they were gone but a lovely sight.

We headed over the top of Meall Bhig and descended back to the lochan where some wild swimmers had been ‘enjoying’ the cold waters.

Paps of Jura much clearer on the descent

A leisurely walk back to the car. No time issues to worry about catching a bus. But after all that the Ferry was late!!

Dark Green Fritallary

A cracking ramble but definitely a hill to leave for a good viewing day. Probably better as a winter/spring ramble to avoid all those biting beasties.

Ascent: 672m

Distance: 10.07km

Time: 5.22

Wildlife: Golden Eagle; White tailed Eagle; Red deer; Raven; Common frog; Fritillary; Orange tip; Small White; Meadow Pipit; Porpoise

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