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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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 1st 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.
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| Heading left of lochan |
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| Heading through the middle of the trees on the high ridge line |
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| 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.
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| Buzzard |
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| 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.
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| 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
