Caledonia Hilltreks Scottish Sub 2000 feet Hills

Creag a'Chliabhain, Strathnairn.

2012-01-10T08:04:00.000-08:00

Creag a'Chliabhain

Creag a’Chliabhain, Strathnairn. Section 9B.
Height – 513 metres. Map – OS Landranger 26.
Climbed - 8 January 2012. Time taken – 4.5 hours.
Distance – 13.25 kilometres. Ascent – 350 metres.
Trip Report Details:

In 2004 when I first ascended the Corbett, Carn na Saobhaidhe, from Dunmaglass, I thought Conagleann would make for an interesting walk. The ascent of Creag a’Chliabhain gave me this opportunity. Although not the shortest route to this Sub 2000 Marilyn I was in no rush.

As I parked beside the telephone kiosk, west of the bridge over the River Farigaig, on the B851 Daviot to Fort Augustus Road it started to rain. This was a bit disappointing as having studied the weather forecast I wasn’t expecting the rain until around noon.

A short walk west along the B851took me to the road heading south through Dunmaglass Estate. I followed this route, passing several habitations, and the diversion along the north side of the River Farigaig, to avoid the Lodges. On previous visits the area had lots of game birds so I was surprised how few I saw. Maybe they ended up on the dinner plates at Christmas. I later spotted three red kites circling above, so the game birds were possibly in hiding. By this time the rained had cleared.

The vehicle track crossed the River Farigaig but I followed the well signposted route to Loch Conagleann, although the first sign was lying on the ground and wasn’t obvious from the track. The route took me along a grassy embankment, across a deer fence via a stile, along the edge of a eroded embankment to a foot bridge over the outflow from the loch, and eventually to a vehicle track east of the loch.

A large duck pond was reached but it wasn’t solely for the benefit of wildlife. From evidence lying around it was also for the pleasure of shooters. This duck pond was separated from Loch Conagleann by a dam topped with a vehicle track which led to a large deer gate and the new Dunmaglass Lodge. A ‘private’ sign instructed the use of the signposted route. It was here I had an access problem as just inside the ‘private area’ a large fenced enclosure for breeding game birds was surrounded by three electric wires. I therefore climbed the deer fence on the south side of the gate, walked a few metres, through some rough ground strewn with dead timber, to a second deer fence where I squeezed through a hole.

Once beyond these obstacles I commenced the ascent of Creag a’Chliabhain, through long heather, and onto its north-east ridge. The vegetation wasn’t any shorter here but I thought the ridge looked like a miniature version of the Little Buachaille. Progress was gradual and I reached some wet snow patches, crossed a couple of knolls and a stock fence, before the final ascent to the summit cairn. Low cloud had been floating around on the latter stages of the ascent but I was fortunate that when I arrived, the summit was still clear.

Due to the cloud the views weren’t terrific but it had been an interesting ascent. However rather than return by the upward route I descended south-west until clear of the rocks and cliffs of Creag a’Chiabhain’s east face. A steep descent through heather, following deer tracks at times, took me to another deer fence where the posts were a bit unstable and the wires slack, so it was an awkward crossing. I joined the track in Conagleann, which was in reasonable condition, and ran between Dunmaglass and Easter Aberchalder.

The track was followed to the north end of Loch Conagleann where I stopped for lunch overlooking the duck pond. Afterwards I returned to my car by the approach route. En-route I met and had an interesting conversation with the friendly gamekeeper. The forecasted rain did not arrive until I was driving back towards Inverness.

Slide show from photographs taken on walk.

Torlum, Crieff.

2011-12-24T03:55:00.000-08:00

Torlum

Torlum, Crieff. Section 1B
Height – 393 metres. Map – OS Landranger 57.
Climbed - 18 December 2011. Time taken – 1.75 hours.
Distance – 5 kilometres. Ascent – 305 metres.
Trip Report Details:

Earlier in the day I climbed Ben Clach so it was only a short drive east, along some frosty and icy side roads, to the start of the Sub 2000 Marilyn, Torlum. I left my car in the bellmouth of the forest track directly opposite a cottage located north of the road leading to The Balloch. It may have been possible to commence the ascent from opposite the road to The Balloch but I never checked to ascertain if there were any suitable parking facilities here.

I entered Torlum Wood and almost immediately took a left turn along another forest track passing an unusually styled picnic table. Its location at the side of the track, which seemed infrequently used, appeared rather odd to me. Further on I joined the track from the alternative starting point and here there were signs for forest operations, although none mentioned no access. I followed this track as it gradually climbed through the forest with piles of cut timber at the side. It looked like they were thinning the trees rather than clearing areas of the forest.

A large metal deer gate was reached but the track beyond wasn’t shown on my map so I continued along the mapped track which made a slight descent and led to another junction where I took the left fork. The tracks here were a bit churned up but I could now see the hillside ahead so I followed an old track along the edge of the forest. When this came to an end I was confronted by a steep climb through dead bracken, which was rather hard work. I was aware from reading a report on Scottish Hills that there was a path leading to the top but I was close to the summit before I located and followed it to the summit trig point.

I had my lunch sheltering behind the trig point from a cool breeze. Afterwards I followed the path back down the hill and into the forest. Here I was confronted by several fallen trees which blocked the route. I heard the barking of roe deer but couldn’t see them for the low sun. A large metal gate in the deer fence was reached and passed through before I continued along the track, which took me to the metal gate mentioned on the ascent. I then returned to my car by the upward route.

Photos taken on walk.

Ben Clach, Comrie.

2011-12-22T14:13:00.000-08:00

Ben Clach

Ben Clach, Comrie. Section 1B.
Height - 533 metres. Map – OS Landranger 57.
Climbed - 18 December 2011. Time taken – 2.25 hours.
Distance – 6 kilometres. Ascent – 310 metres.
Trip Report Details:

Several times I’ve thought about climbing Ben Clach but was put off because it was used by the military. However I read recently they were only there infrequently and as it was a Sunday I thought it might be okay.

The B827 Braco to Comrie Road was white with frost as I headed to my planned starting point, Tig-na-Blair Farm. There were no red flags flying which was a good start but on reaching the road leading to the farm I couldn’t locate a suitable parking place. I had thought about asking the farmer but read that a walker had upset him so I suspected he might not be pro-walker. I eventually parked my vehicle on the verge about 500 metres to the south of the farm, although I wouldn’t really recommend this location.

Once geared up for a frosty start I walked along the main road before heading up the icy farm road to Tigh-na-Blair, through between the farm buildings and to beyond a cottage. Here the track headed through a gate but I opted to follow an old vehicle track that ran along the north side of an unnamed stream. At a junction of streams I easily forded the burn, crossed a field of rough pasture and headed for a gate I had spotted.

Beyond this gate the ground would normally be boggy but fortunately it was frozen with some snow cover. This made for steady progress but higher up the snow covering the heather was softer and this slowed me down as it wouldn’t hold my weight. The summit area was reached but there was no cairn unless it was concealed under the snow. I wandered around the summit before selecting a clump of heather which I decided was the highest point.

There were good views of the snow covered Ben Vorlich, Stuc a’Chroin and adjoining hills. A cold breeze was blowing here but I found a small dip, where I had a quick cuppa while looking towards the Ochils, the Forth Valley, and what I thought was Arthur’s Seat and the Pentland Hills. My return was by the upward route.

Photos taken on walk.

Meall an Tarsaid, Invernessshire.

2011-12-16T03:27:00.000-08:00

Meall an Tarsaid

Meall an Tarsaid, Stratherrick, Inverness-shire. Section 9B.
Height – 492 metres. Map – OS Landranger 34.
Climbed - 11 December 2011. Time taken – 1.25 hours.
Distance – 2.25 kilometres. Ascent – 210 metres.
Trip Report Details:

The Sub 2000 Marilyn, Meall an Tarsaid is located to the south of the hamlet of Whitebridge and east of the B862, the main route to the east of Loch Ness. Examining the map I couldn’t see an obvious ascent route so I drove along the unclassified road to the west of Meall an Tarsaid and as far as the road end at Ardochy. However I failed to locate a suitable route, mainly due to a new deer fence which had been constructed along the east side of this road.

My next option was the road to Garragie, to the north of Meall an Tarsaid. Here again a new deer fence had been constructed but just before the end of the woods and the Allt Glaic Breabaig I spotted a gate in the deer fence and decided to use it to access the hill.

I parked at the edge of a nearby passing place and on returning to the gate found the surrounding ground to be wet and marshy. There was a wicket gate at the side which I used before following traces of a marshy vehicle track through the birch woods. These tracks soon led to open ground and to a small transmission line which probably fed electricity the houses in the glen. The tracks and marshy ground ended here to be replaced by long heather and a few boulders.

There were a few crags ahead so I aimed for the obvious gully to the south of the summit. This ascent was quite steep with a few snow patches but once up the gully I headed over to the summit cairn with views of the snow covered Monadhliath Mountains. Although this was supposedly Meall an Tarsaid’s highest point the knoll to the north looked higher so I strolled over there. However I still couldn’t decide. I found shelter from a cold breeze behind the cairn for lunch while looking down on Whitebridge and towards Glen Albyn. The return was by the ascent route.

I later ascertained that until a few years ago the north top was the highest point but the south top is now decreed to be the summit.

Photos taken on walk.

Beinn a'Bhacaidh, Glen Albyn.

2011-12-15T10:10:00.000-08:00

Beinn a'Bhacaidh

Beinn a’Bhacaidh, Glen Albyn. Section 9B.
Height - 555 metres. Map – OS Landranger 34.
Climbed - 11 December 2011. Time taken - 3 hours.
Distance – 5.5 kilometres. Ascent – 390 metres.
Trip Report Details:

I travelled south on the B862 which is located on the east side of Loch Ness. Once beyond the hamlet of Whitebridge I drove along the tarred road that led to Knockie Lodge. At the south end of Loch Knockie I located the forest track which would take me to the foot of Beinn a’Bhacaidh. There was even space to park a couple of cars.

At the start of the track there was a locked gate with a stile at the side, but it was just as easy to walk round the small section of wooden fencing. The track, which had recently been improved, was followed passed a small hut, to the south end of Loch nan Lann. Here a new deer gate had been installed with a wicket gate at the side. Not far from this point I spotted another deer gate, which was unlocked, with a grassy track beyond. This track was not shown on my map but it headed in my intended direction so I decided to use it to reach Beinn a’Bhacaidh.

The grass was soon replaced by rock and stone as the track headed, steeply in places, up the side of the forest, an old stone dyke and the Allt na Ceardaich. A couple of short sharp barks were heard and I spotted roe deer disappearing into the forest. I was undecided at what point to leave the track as it made for reasonable walking. Red deer spotted me and were off up the hill but I stuck to the track. It passed an old gate in the deer fence and at this point degenerated into bog and became rather intermittent. However I continued the short distance to the bealach before commencing the ascent of Beinn a’Bhacaidh through long heather and some snow patches. There were a few crags to avoid as well as rocks, some of which had a covering of ice.

I had encountered some light rain on the ascent but as I approached the summit the cloud lowered and engulfed me. The summit cairn was located and I found some shelter from a cold wind to await the cloud lifting. Despite spending some time there the cloud did not clear which was disappointing as I think it would have been a good location for views up and down Loch Ness. I took a bearing east and descended over rough ground to rejoin the track then followed the upward route back to the car. On the descent I spotted a couple of feral goats but they ran off as I closed in on them.

Photos taken on walk.

Beinn Lunndaidh, Golspie.

2011-12-13T12:26:00.000-08:00

Beinn Lunndaidh

Beinn Lunndaidh, Golspie. Section 16D.
Height – 446 metres. Map - OS Landranger 17.
Climbed - 10 December 2011. Time taken – 5.25 hours.
Distance – 13 kilometres. Ascent - 550 metres.
Trip Report Details:

There was an odd snow flurry as I headed north from Inverness on the A9, which had a slight covering of snow in places. Fortunately I wasn’t using any of the minor roads today as my starting point was the small town of Golspie, where I parked in the free car park in Fountain Road, just off Main Street. I discovered walkers were discriminated against as they were expected to pay. I decided to ignore this request and headed along Fountain Road, passed an ornate fountain, over Back Road and to the unnamed road leading to Rhives Farm, signposted Ben Bharggie. This took me under the railway line and to a pay and display car park, which was empty and rather icy. There were signs for Ben Bhraggie and mountain bike trails so I opted to use these routes rather than pass through the farm.

The mountain bike trails were on a very easy gradient with long zigzags so I regretted not using the route through the farm. I did cut out a few corners but it was a bit awkward due old tree stumps and soft snow.

My plan was to ascend Beinn Lunndaidh from Loch nan Caorach so once beyond the electric transmission lines I located the forest track and followed it to a junction of tracks. A sign indicated the track round the east side of Ben Bhraggie was closed for timber operations so I remained on the existing track which headed north-west well above the Golspie Burn and Dunrobin Glen. On hindsight I should have just ignored the sign.

I emerged from the forest via a deer gate and entered a small clearing where I crossed a deer fence, using some wooden slats. The forest edge was initially followed before I left it and made my way across snow covered long heather towards the path shown on the map as leading to Loch nan Caorach. I could see the snow covered track running round Ben Bhraggie but I never located the loch path which either no longer existed or was concealed by snow.

Underfoot conditions became a bit more awkward as I headed towards the loch and it appeared easier to be slightly higher. This took me above the east side of Loch nan Caorach and onto the North Top before making the short walk to the trig point on Beinn Lunndaidh. Here there were views of the snow covered surrounding terrain and mountains.

Having read that the direct route between Beinn Lunndaidh and Ben Bhraggie was one of the worst bogs to cross I was a bit apprehensive especially as most of the time the snow and ice wasn’t holding my weight. Although progress was slow and awkward I only sunk into bog on a couple of occasions. On the ascent of Ben Bhraggie a fence was followed before a snow covered, and in places icy, vehicle track was reached and led to the statue of the Duke of Sutherland. I did take a slight diversion to locate what I thought was the hill’s highest point.

There was a telescope beside the statue but due to ice it was of little use on this occasion. I had views of Golspie and across the Moray Firth to Aberdeenshire and Moray. Earlier I saw the Cairngorms which appeared to be in brighter conditions than the high cloud I was experiencing. There was a cold breeze so I obtained shelter behind the statue for lunch before descending steeply through deep snow to locate the path. I followed it to a wooden construction that contained a gate and what appeared to be a mountain bike jump. From there I continued down the path meeting four young local teenagers ascending the hill. The route was followed this time through Rhives Farm and back to the car park in Golspie.

Photos taken on walk.

Hill of the Wangie, Dallas, Moray.

2011-12-05T14:43:00.000-08:00

Hill of the Wangie

Hill of the Wangie, Dallas, Moray. Section 9A.
Height - 319 metres. Map – OS Landranger 28.
Climbed - 2 December 2011. Time taken – 1 hour.
Distance – 3 kilometres. Ascent – 155 metres.
Trip Report Details:

The Sub 2000 Marilyn, Hill of the Wangie, is located south-west of Elgin in Morayshire. I had read that locating the summit was difficult and that some folks spent a considerable time looking for the trig point, as the hill was covered in trees. I had also read on the Scottish Hills forums that ‘foggieclimber’ had ascended the hill last winter, in the snow, and had recorded significant grid references. Prior to setting out for Moray I entered these points into my GPS.

The start of the walk was the B9010, east of the road leading to Tombreck Farm, where I parked on the wide verge on the south side. I crossed the road where a locked gate prevented vehicular access to the forest track. I followed this track the short distance to the clearance where the forum author had climbed through snow covered vegetation to reach the track above. However, due to the dead bracken this route didn’t appeal to me, so I continued along the track. I soon came to a forestry sign indicating that an unofficial mountain bike trail had been closed. I was tempted to explore it but decided to continue to the junction of tracks where I took a right, re-crossed the mountain bike trail, and arrived at the third grid reference.

Here I had no option but climb through the rough ground, which included some old tree stumps, and led to another vehicle track. This point could have been reached by taking a much longer route following forest tracks to the west.

I was aware of the limitations of my GPS, especially in forests, but knowing the exact distance between the grid references was useful as I paced each section. The firebreak mentioned in the forum was easily located and I made a gradual ascent through this gap loosing the GPS signal as expected. At the end of the measured distance I turned left and found the second firebreak which was partially obscured by trees.

It wasn’t obvious that I was gaining any height and I could now understand why folks had difficulty locating the trig point. However I continued along the firebreak keeping an eye out for it. I briefly received a GPS signal and I was therefore able to pace the remainder of the distance along the firebreak before I spotted the trig point set amongst the trees.

On reaching the trig point I about turned and re-traced the route back to my car without the need for pacing.

Photos taken on walk.

Brown Muir, Moray.

2011-12-03T08:56:00.000-08:00

Brown Muir

Brown Muir, Teindland, Moray. Section 9A.
Height - 339 metres. Map – OS Landranger 28.
Climbed - 2 December 2011. Time taken 1.75 hours.
Distance – 6 kilometres. Ascent – 175 metres.

I was keen to get back out onto the hills as I had nearly three weeks away due to a head cold and some poor weather conditions. Unfortunately the weekend forecast was for more stormy weather. With Friday morning looking promising, at least in the North-East of Scotland, I decided to climb a couple of Sub 2000 Marilyns south of Elgin.

The start for the ascent of Brown Muir was the end of the public, single track, unclassified road at Teindland, reached from the B9123. I parked on the verge at this crossroads, with tracks leading to Teindland Mains, Burnside and Moniemouies Farms.

My ascent of Brown Muir was via the latter farm so I crossed the gate and walked along the track, which was icy in places, to its ruined farm buildings. The information on my Ordnance Survey map was incorrect as the vehicle track continued along the edge of a field and across the moorland. There were at least three gates to cross. The map showed a vehicle track coming up from Humbreck Farm but there was no evidence of it. The only vehicular access to the telecommunication tower, located on the summit of Brown Muir, was by the route I walked.

It was an easy stroll along this track but it was cloudier and windier than I expected. On looking north beyond Lhanbryde and Elgin was the Moray Firth and briefly I saw the snow capped mountains of Sutherland.

The summit area was reached where the trig point had an unusual cover. However apparently the highest point was further south-east so I sought out an area of heather which I thought might be the summit although there was nothing there to confirm this.

I returned to the telecommunications tower where I managed to get a bit of shelter from the cold wind for a cup of coffee before returning to my car by the upward route.

Photos taken on walk.

Carn na Loine, Grantown.

2011-11-19T08:16:00.000-08:00

Carn na Loine

Carn na Loine, Grantown. Section 9A.
Height – 549 metres. Map – OS Landramger 27.
Climbed - 7 November 2011. Time taken – 2 hours.
Distance 7 kilometres. Ascent – 310 metres.
Trip Report Details:

Once again the forecast was for a fine day but unfortunately I had developed a head cold and decided to head home. However I wanted to make use of the sunny weather so en-route back to Aberdeen I planned to climb the Sub 2000 Marilyn, Carn na Loine.

From the B9102 Grantown on Spey to Knockando road I drove along the unclassified single track road to Auchnahannet where I parked on the grass outside the house there. Maybe not the best of locations but the house appeared unoccupied that morning. I then walked up the track, signposted Knock of Auchnahannet, to a junction where I followed the grassy left fork.

I soon reached a gate where there was a sign requesting dogs be kept on leads. Beyond, the grassy track I headed across the hillside on a gentle gradient where sheep were grazing. The gate at the top fence was missing and not long after passing through this gap the track swung round and headed for Tom Mor, where a telecommunication tower was located.

On leaving the track the ground was rather marshy with tussocky vegetation making walking slow and awkward. Once across this section the ground was drier with long heather and grasses to cross with the odd section of bog. I wandered up the hill trying to find the easiest route, passing several white poles which I presumed were related to the shooting of grouse.

The summit trig point was eventually reached where I had views of the distant Cairngorms, the Knock of Braemoray, which I had climbed earlier this year, and Ben Rinnes. After sitting at the summit for a while I made a more direct descent to the missing gate but underfoot conditions weren’t any easier. I then followed the track, used on the approach, back to my car.

Photos taken on walk.

Breac-Bheinn and Meall Dheirgidh, Strathcarron.

2011-11-18T00:30:00.000-08:00

Meall Dheirgidh

Breac-Bheinn, Meall Dheirgidh and An Cabagach (HuMP), Strathcarron. Section 15A.

Height – 462 metres: 506 metres: 421 metres.

Map – OS Landranger 20.

Climbed - 6 November 2011. Time taken – 5.5 hours.

Distance – 14 kilometres. Ascent – 750 metres.

Trip Report Details:

Fine weather was forecasted for the North of Scotland so I decided to head for Starthcarron, reached from the village of Ardgay on the A836, with the intention of climbing the Sub 2000 Marilyns, Breac-Bheinn and Meall Dheirgidh. I also had in mind the HuMP, An Cabagach, which would give me a circuit of Meall nan Eun and Loch Meall Dheirgidh.

It was a frosty morning as I drove west along the glen on the north side of the River Carron. Just beyond Braelangwell Wood I parked at the side of the road, directly opposite a gate in the deer fence. Once geared up I set off through this unlocked gate and along a wet and overgrown track. The track was slightly drier once away from the road and it later crossed a small stream before reaching the derelict Whale Cottage, where the roof had collapsed although the stairs were still standing.

I was expecting the track to end here but it continued north to a gate in a stock fence and then towards the Allt nan Eun. I followed the track, which was wet in places, as it headed up the glen avoiding some marshy ground close to the stream. When the track began to swing away from Breac-Bheinn and towards the north side of Meall nan Eun, I left it and dropped to the Allt nan Eun, which was easily crossed.

I made an angled ascent of the south-west side of Breac-Bheinn trying to avoid the worst of the long vegetation. Higher up the gradient eased and I headed over some peat hags to the trig point, which I was aware wasn’t the highest point. Here I had views down Strathcarron to the Dornoch Firth. I then walked over some rough ground to the highest point where I took a break with views of the hills and glens to the north.

After my break I descended west over heathery ground aiming for the col beside the edge of the Birchfield Wood which was surrounded by a deer fence. Initially I followed this fence before making a more direct approach, over some wet ground, to the foot of Meall Dheirgidh’s East Ridge, where I rejoined the fence which continued up the ridge. It was a steady climb and on arrival at the summit area I saw the cairn on the other side of the fence. I therefore clambered over the fence, visited the cairn and the area which was supposedly the highest point.

I returned to the other side of the fence and descended west then south as I made my way towards the head of the Allt Coire Ruchain gully. A few deer spotted me and quickly disappeared. An easy climb of the north ridge led to the summit area of An Cabagach. Here peat hags had to be worked round before I reached the highest point which appeared to be a clump of heather mixed with mosses. Despite a cool breeze I had lunch here with views of the hills around the Alladale Estate and the distant mountains of Assynt.

After lunch I crossed to the south-east knoll then followed All Terrain vehicle tracks to the house at Sgodachail and a pleasant stroll down the glen back to my car.

Photos taken on walk.

Tom Bailgeann, Inverness.

2011-11-16T03:40:00.000-08:00

Tom Bailgeann

Tom Bailgeann, Inverness-shire. Section 9B.
Height – 464 metres. Map – OS Landranger 26.
Climbed - 5 November 2011. Time taken – 1.25 hours.
Distance – 2.75 kilometres. Ascent – 220 metres.
Trip Report Details:

Tom Bailgeann was the last of the four hills I intended climbing that day as it would be the easiest with a vehicle track leading to the telecommunications tower on the summit.

The start of this walk was the B862 just south of Loch Duntelchaig where parking was a bit tight on a bend. A locked gate prevents vehicles from proceeding but the ‘Police Sign’ hung on the gate and stating access is restricted is misleading in terms of the Land Reform Scotland Act 2003.

Once beyond the gate I followed the track as it passed below electric transmission lines and wound its way uphill, steeply in places. The track was also quite rough and there were a few daisies in bloom, well that’s what they appeared to be, which I thought unusual for November. As height was gained the track deteriorated and became very wet and boggy. Pieces of wood had been laid to assist progress through these sections as well as another track off to the north making the area a bit of a mess.

I managed to avoid most of the bog and on approaching the telecommunications tower the rain commenced. I reached the summit trig point and sought shelter behind one of the nearby buildings while I ate my lunch. Once the rain had ceased and I had finished eating I strolled over to the west top where I had views of Inverness, Loch Ness and the hills to the west.

The return was by the upward route although I avoided sections of the track by descending through the vegetation.

Photos taken on walk.

Creag nan Clag, Inverness.

2011-11-15T09:11:00.000-08:00

Creag nan Clag

Creag nan Clag, Inverness-shire. Section 9B.
Height – 430 metres. Map – OS Landranger 26.
Climbed - 5 November 2011. Time taken – 1 hour.
Distance – 2.5 kilometres. Ascent – 165 metres.
Trip Report Details:

Earlier in the day I was at the east end of Loch Ruthven to climb the Sub 2000 Marilyn, Stac Gorm. All I required to do to reach the starting point for my next Sub 2000 Marilyn, Creag nan Clag, was to drive to the opposite end of the loch where I parked on some rough ground, below the crags. Here there was a sign for ‘The Trail of the Seven Lochs’.

There was a gully in the rock face directly above me but I opted to follow the marked trail north to a small gate which I passed through. However I discovered that the path wasn’t going in my intended direction so I left it, walked up through the trees, and crossed a fence. A second fence, which ended on the cliff face, was followed until I approached the rock. It was then a steep climb through knee deep heather and was hard work.

I came to the top of the gully and on inspecting it an ascent by this route would have been difficult, if not impossible. The gradient began to ease and I passed a cairn which obviously wasn’t the summit. A slight dip across marshy ground led to the summit area where I visited several points which I considered to be the top, although in the end I wasn’t sure which one was the highest.

The return was by the ascent route although on reaching the fence I descended directly back to my car.

Photos taken on walk.

Stac Gorm, Inverness.

2011-11-14T08:32:00.000-08:00

Stac Gorm

Stac Gorm, Inverness. Section 9B.
Height – 446 metres. Map – OS Landranger 26.
Climbed - 5 November 2011. Time taken – 1.25 hours.
Distance – 2.5 kilometres. Ascent – 210 metres.
Trip Report Details:

After an earlier ascent of the nearby Sub 2000 Marilyn, Stac na Cathaig, it was only a short drive to the Loch Ruthven Nature Reserve at the east end of the loch. Here I planned to leave my vehicle but on arrival discovered the gate had been hung to prevent it opening. I was therefore forced to park on the verge opposite.

I crossed the road and a single strand of barbed wire fencing to reach an area of long grass. A few marks in the grass led to a path which headed towards the large boulder below Stac Gorm. The path was wet and muddy in places but the vegetation soon changed to long heather which partially obscured the path as it wound its way uphill.

The boulder was passed and I continued on my ascent through the heather and onto the north-east ridge of Stac Gorm where I had views down Strath Nairn. A heather and rocky ridge was climbed to reach the cairn on Stac Gorm. A nearby rock appeared slightly higher than the base of the cairn.

After a coffee break taking in the views of Loch Ruthven and the surrounding hills I returned by the ascent route.

Photos taken on walk.

Stac na Cathaig, Inverness.

2011-11-13T09:26:00.000-08:00

Stac na Cathaig

Stac na Cathaig, Inverness. Section 9B.
Height – 446 metres. Map – OS Landranger 26.
Climbed - 5 November 2011. Time taken – 1.5 hours.
Distance – 5.5 kilometres. Ascent – 255 metres.
Trip Report Details:

I initially thought of climbing this Sub 2000 Marilyn, located south of Inverness and east of Loch Ness, from the north as it was surrounded by woods on the other sides. However on searching the Scottish Hills web site I discovered a southerly approach which suited my other hill plans. I drove along the narrow single track road on the north side of Loch Ruthven and parked at the entrance to the forest track east of Balvoulin. The gate leading into the forest was locked, apparently due to illegal vehicle use, but there was space at the side for those on foot.

The forest track was followed north with a slight diversion to the idyllic Loch a’Choire and its reflections of the nearby trees and vegetation. It was a beautiful scene and I took several photographs, which can be viewed from the link at the end of this trip report. I dragged myself away from the loch to rejoin the track which came to a junction where I took the right fork.

Here there was another locked gate but as before there was a gap at the side. The track gradually climbed through the forest as I searched for a firebreak to gain access to the open hillside. I eventually located a suitable firebreak which was covered in various grasses, heather and moss but it was relatively easy to walk over, unlike the next section.

Once clear of the forest the ground was rough with a few dips and some sections of wet and tussocky ground. I spotted a stag and even he found it hard going running off in the awkward terrain. However as I neared the summit the ground steepened and the walking was easier. The summit cairn was reached with views of the City of Inverness and the surrounding hills.

I visited the South-West Top before returning to my car by the ascent route. There was now a slight breeze so the reflections in the loch had disappeared.

Photos taken on walk.

The Bochel, Glenlivet.

2011-11-13T03:50:00.000-08:00

The Bochel

The Bochel, Glenlivet. Section 21A.
Height – 491 metres. Map – OS Landranger 36.
Climbed - 4 November 2011. Time taken – 50 minutes.
Distance – 3 kilometres. Ascent – 200 metres.
Trip Report Details:

The Bochel was the only Sub 2000 Marilyn that I hadn’t climbed in Section 21 of the Relative Hills of Britain list and as I was heading to Inverness I decided to leave early and make a slight diversion to climb this hill.

At Tomintoul I headed for Knockandhu then along the road to Chapeltown of Glenlivet. Just east of the passing place beside the access road to Bochel Farm I managed to get my car off the carriageway.

It was a mild afternoon as I set off on a decline along the tarred road towards Bochel Farm. Once over the Crombie Water the road was quite rough as it climbed out of the dip and towards the farm. Just before the buildings I followed a right fork and almost immediately turned left up another track, passing a storage shed. This led to a set of gates which were open. Beyond them I passed through a wide gap in the trees and onto the open hillside.

I stayed well east of the trees as the ground was a bit marshy with a several small holes which made for awkward walking. Higher up the hill was heather clad and the lanky heather slowed me down slightly. However with a bit of effort I was soon at the summit cairn where I had good views of the surrounding countryside, including the Braes of Glenlivet and the Ladder Hills.

After a few minutes at the summit I returned to my car by the ascent route.

Photos taken on walk.

Beinn Domhnaill, Bonar Bridge.

2011-11-11T07:48:00.000-08:00

Beinn Domhnaill

Beinn Domhnaill, Achormlarie. Section 16D.
Height - 347 metres. Map – OS Landranger 21.
Climbed - 23 October 2011. Time taken – 2.5 hours.
Distance – 8.5 kilometres. Ascent – 230 metres.
Trip Report Details:

The Sub 2000 Marilyn, Beinn Domhnaill, was located around 3 miles, as the crow flies, from Creag a’Ghobhair, which I had climbed earlier that day. I could have combined them together if the path through the forest surrounding Beinn Domhnaill existed but this would have involved a long walk back to the start. I therefore opted for a northerly approach where I knew a vehicle track ran through the forest.

I parked at the south side of Loch Buidhe, accessed from Bonar Bridge along a single track road, the latter stages of which get no winter maintenance. There was insufficient space to leave my vehicle beside the gate leading to the forest track so I parked around 300 metres further east and walked back along the road.

The large metal gate was locked but a small wicket gate gave access to the vehicle track which was followed below electric transmission lines and into the forest. The track was initially a bit muddy in places as some forestry operations had been taking place. However it was an easy stroll on a gradual gradient as the track led me onto the west ridge of Beinn Domhnaill.

Once I reached a clearance on the east side I left the track and commenced the ascent of Beinn Domhnaill crossing some rough ground and a mixture of vegetation. The summit cairn was reached and once again I had views from the Dornoch Firth up to the hills of Caithness and round towards the mountains of Assynt. I continued further east for better views of the Dornoch Firth and also to find a suitable location for lunch.

After my snack I returned to the south shore of Loch Buidhe by the ascent route.

Photos taken on walk.

Creag a'Ghobhair, Bonar Bridge.

2011-11-10T01:33:00.000-08:00

Creag a'Ghobhair

Creag a’Ghobhair, Bonar Bridge. Section 16D.
Height – 346 metres. Map – OS Landranger 21.
Climbed - 23 October 2011. Time taken – 1.75 hours.
Distance – 5.5 kilometres. Ascent – 280 metres.
Trip Report Details:

On this day trip I was planning to climb some of the Marilyns north of Bonar Bridge. The first one on my agenda was Creag a’Ghobhar which I considered ascending from Clashcoig to the west as the only tracks or paths my map showed involved long approach routes from the east. A check on the Scottish Hills web site revealed that a poster had successfully used a vehicle track (not shown on my map) to the south-east of the hamlet of Ardens.

I drove to the start of this vehicle track at NH636927 and parked beside the sheep pens before setting off up the track, which initially ran along the side of the Allt na h-Atha through a field of sheep. A second gate was passed through as the vehicle track headed away from the stream. Improvements had been made to the track and various rodent traps had been set above the drainage channels.

On approaching Loch a’Ghobhair I left the track and crossed Blar Lon Lochan a’Ghobhair, an area of swampy ground. From here I commenced the ascent of Creag a’Ghobhair, over heather clad slopes initially on an easy gradient. The hill-side was a bit steeper as I gained the west ridge but then it was an easy walk to the summit cairn where I had some good views from the mountains in the North-West round to the Dornoch Firth in the east.

The return was by the ascent route.

Photos taken on walk.

Beinn Mhor, Glen Beg.

2011-11-09T09:26:00.000-08:00

Beinn Mhor

Beinn Mhor, Glen Beg. Section 9A.
Height – 471 metres. Map – OS Landranger 36.
Climbed - 22 October 2011. Time taken 1.25 hours.
Distance – 5 kilometres. Ascent – 265 metres.
Trip Report Details:

The start of this walk was the end of the public road in Glen Beg, west of Grantown on Spey, where an area of ground was capable of taking several cars. On setting off across the bridge over the Glenbeg Burn, I spoke to a runner who was out for a two hour circular route from his home.

The vehicle track was followed as it gained height before passing Glenbeg Farm. A junction of tracks was reached and I took the left fork, which entered the woods. I quickly came to second junction where on this occasion I went right. This route took me through the forest and to a locked gate in a deer fence. I climbed over this gate and was now on the open hillside.

I continued to follow the track as it swung round and over the east ridge of Beinn Mhor before re-entering the forest. At its high point I left the track and followed a muddy trail towards Beinn Mhor. The trail soon disappeared in the heather as I continued across the grouse moor, disturbing the odd bird. On reaching the summit trig point I had views of Strathspey and Grantown.

I returned across the moorland and on reaching the vehicle track took the south route back into the woods. This took me passed numerous bird feeders before I re-joined the upward route just north of Glenbeg Farm and followed the track back to my car.

Photos taken on walk.

Ord Ban, Aviemore.

2011-11-09T02:54:00.000-08:00

Ord Ban

Ord Ban, Aviemore. Section 8.
Height – 428 metres. Map – OS Landranger 36.
Climbed - 22 October 2011. Time taken – 1.25 hours.
Distance – 3.5 kilometres. Ascent – 210 metres.
Trip Report Deatils:

I parked near the monument at the junction of the B970 with the access road leading to Loch an Eilein, just south of Aviemore, before walking the short distance along the access road to a field on its south side. I clambered over a tied down gate, crossed the field, a couple other gates and onto an old vehicle track.

This track wound its way up through some trees and to a fenced enclosure. The edge of this enclosure was followed, as the gradient increased, to some more trees with their magnificent autumnal colours. Beyond the trees, long heather was waded through and here it was rather windy. The gradient eased as I headed to the summit boulder and trig point.

Due to the cloudy conditions the views from the summit were rather disappointing so once I had taken a few photographs I descended towards Loch an Eilein. It was quite steep in places but lower down I located another old vehicle track which zigzagged downhill to just north of the car park, where the attendant was doing good business collecting parking fees. It was then a short walk along the tarred road back to my car.

That completed the Marilyns in Section 8, The Cairngorms.

Photos taken on walk.

Conic Hill, Balmaha.

2011-11-01T02:05:00.000-07:00

Conic Hill

Conic Hill, Balmaha. Section 1C.
Height – 361 metres. Map – OS Landranger 56.
Climbed - 16 October 2011. Time taken – 1.75 hours.
Distance – 4.5 kilometres. Ascent – 390 metres.
Trip Report Details:

In 1995 I walked the West Highland Way from Glasgow to Fort William and according to my records the route took me over Conic Hill. With some uncertainty in my mind about whether I actually went to the highest point on this Sub 2000 Marilyn, I decided that I needed make a second visit.

I parked in the car park at Balmaha, on the east side of Loch Lomond, and was surprised that this facility was actually free. At the rear of the car park I located the path and took the right fork, the route of the West Highland Way. This path took me through the Queen Elizabeth Forest on a gentle gradient but soon steepened as it left the forest where the path’s condition deteriorated.

The path led to the Bealach Ard then along the north-west side of Conic Hill just below the ridge. I was surprised at the number of folks climbing this hill as I didn’t realise it was so popular. No wonder the path was well worn and in places muddy. Some grazing Highland cows and their calves were passed before the path climbed onto the ridge at the 358 metre knoll, which the majority of walkers seemed to think was the summit. However I was aware that the highest point was some four hundred metres to the north-east over a small knoll.

On reaching the true summit I found some shelter from the wind for a late lunch. My return route was along the ridge before descending steeply to the south side of the Bealach Ard and returning to the car park by the approach route.

I’m still not sure if I climbed this hill in 1995 as the summit was just off the route of the West Highland Way and would have involved a short climb.

Photos taken on walk.

Binnean nan Gobhar, Loch Lomond.

2011-10-31T05:27:00.000-07:00

Binnean nan Gobhar

Binnean nan Gobhar, Loch Lomond. Section 1C.

Height – 586 metres. Map – OS Landranger 56.

Climbed – 16 October 2011. Time taken – 3.5 hours.

Distance – 11 kilometres. Ascent – 595 metres.

Trip Report Details:

The Sub 2000 Marilyn, Binnean nan Gobhar is located to the north of Balmaha on the east side of Loch Lomond. I parked in the car park at the Native Forest Centre, Cashel, where there was an honesty box for the £2 parking fee.

I set off along a grassy path which soon joined a vehicle track that zigzagged uphill through the woodland. As height was gained there were ever improving views back to Loch Lomond. The ‘Queen’s View’, named after the Queen of the Netherlands who visited the area in the 1970’s, was eventually reached and just beyond that a large metal padlocked gate. At this time cloud covered Binnean nan Gobhar, Beinn Bhreac and Stob a’Choin Duibh.

The gate was crossed and the track followed as it descended slightly to a ‘T’ junction where I took the right fork. This led to, and along the top of the forest to a gap in the deer fence where a gate once existed. Beyond, underfoot conditions quickly deteriorated. Initially I followed All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) tracks but the ground was very soft and wet. I therefore opted to climb the rough hillside through long heather and reeds where hidden holes full of water and young trees added to my problems. One consolation was the cloud was lifting from the tops so at least I could see where I was headed.

Conditions were slightly better higher up although the gully I followed was still wet and had been used by an ATV. Once through this gully I headed for higher ground and the cairn marking the summit of Binnean nan Gobhar. From this summit I had views of Beinn Uird, another Sub 2000 Marilyn, the Munro, Ben Lomond and Beinn Dubh, a Sub 2000 Marilyn which I climbed in September.

I found some shelter from the wind for a coffee break before heading for the trig point on Beinn Bhreac. However the ground between these two tops was a massive peat bog so I had to work my way round this area before climbing to the summit of Beinn Bhreac. From here I headed for the gap in the deer fence searching out the driest and easiest route initially with some success but lower down I encountered the awkward vegetation and terrain experienced on the ascent route. In fact at times I thought it was even worse.

Near the gap I met a chap obviously out taking photographs and we discussed the wet and boggy terrain before parting company. I followed my ascent route back through the forest to the car park, passing several couples and family groups who were out for a stroll in the woods.

Photos taken on walk.

Dumglow, Cleish Hills.

2011-10-29T08:43:00.000-07:00

Dumglow

Dumglow, Cleish Hills. Section 26.

Height – 379 metres. Map – OS Landranger 58.

Climbed - 15 October 2011. Time taken – 2 hours.

Distance – 7.5 kilometres. Ascent – 175 metres.

Trip Report Details:

Earlier in the day I climbed the Sub 2000 Marilyn, Benarty Hill from near Ballingry, in Fife. My next hill was Dumglow, a few miles to the west, and just north of the county boundary between Fife and Kinross-shire. Again I had decided on a northerly approach but at my planned starting point the area was awash with mud due to ongoing building work. There was also a large crane working in the area.

I therefore drove round to the east side of the hill where I discovered there wasn’t a parking space left at the vehicle track leading to Loch Glow. However I managed to park on the verge at a passing place further north before walking back to the track. I then followed it through the trees and descended to Loch Glow where there were a few folks fishing.

A path, which was wet and muddy in places, was followed round the north side of the loch to the end of the forest where a less distinct path, or animal track, ran along the west edge of the forest towards Black Loch. On approaching this loch the ground was marshy but once through this area it was a steep climb, following a fence, to a small knoll. An easy walk then led to the summit trig point and cairn where I had hazy views of Loch Leven and the Firth of Forth. There were limited views to the west as the forecasted rain was approaching.

After some lunch, sheltering from the wind, I returned towards the forest where I had observed a more obvious path. This led to a narrow firebreak, not initially obvious. I entered the forest and followed this firebreak, which was wet and boggy in sections, east. Nearly a kilometre later I emerged from the trees, just west of the 336 metre knoll, descended to the east side of Loch Glow and followed the forest track back to the start.

Photos taken on walk.

Benarty Hill, Fife.

2011-10-28T04:26:00.000-07:00

Benarty Hill

Benarty Hill, Fife. Section 26.

Height – 356 metres. Map – OS Landranger 58.

Climbed - 15 October 2011. Time taken – 1.25 hours.

Distance – 3.5 kilometres. Ascent – 185 metres.

Trip Report Details:

The plan was to check out a northerly approach to this hill but ongoing excavation work on the south side of the B9097 put paid to that idea. I therefore drove round to the unclassified single track road to the west of the village of Ballingry, but here the limited number of parking spaces were already occupied. With difficulty I managed to locate a bit of verge parking, although I wasn’t particular happy with the position.

I walked back to the start and noticed signs stating that the path was closed. However a number of runners were doing hill reps up the steps and as it was a Saturday I presumed work was on hold for the weekend.

The stepped path zigzagged uphill and the reason for the closure was obvious as some of the steps were being replaced and a new top surface laid. Fortunately, as I predicted, the workmen had the day off. Higher up the path joined a forestry vehicle track which I followed to its end. This was replaced by another path, or two, which wound its way through Benarty Wood to the open hillside.

A peaty path through heather led to the large boulder marking the top of the knoll, Seamark. Here there were views back to Loch Ore, Firth of Forth and in the distance, Edinburgh. It was then an easy stroll to the trig point which marked the summit of Benarty Hill. To the north I could see the Lomond Hills, which I had climbed the previous month, and Loch Leven.

I took a short coffee break in a hollow sheltering from the strong wind before returning by the ascent route.

Photos taken on walk.

Knockan, Moray.

2011-10-11T08:22:00.000-07:00

Knockan

Knockan, Moray. Section 21A.
Height – 372 metres. Map – OS Landranger 28.
Climbed - 9 October 2011. Time taken – 1.5 hours.
Distance – 5 kilometres. Ascent 180 metres.
Trip Report Details:

The sub 2000 Marilyn, Knockan, was located to the south-east of Ben Aigan, which I had climbed earlier that day. My plan was also to ascend Knockan from the A95 but I wasn’t sure of the exact route. While on the summit of Ben Aigan I studied possible routes to Knockan and decided to climb it along the field edges just south of the Braes of Auchlunkart forest.

I drove south on the A95 and noted that the ground to the east appeared rather wet and marshy so I dismissed my original plan and parked on the grass verge just south of the access road to Knockan Farm. I walked up the farm road and passed the south side of this property with the intention of continuing along the track shown on my map. However I noticed cattle were obstructing the route so I decided to use the adjoining field.

At that point the local farmer approached so I stopped and spoke to him. He had no problem with me accessing the hill and when I mentioned the cattle he also suggested using the adjoining field. We spoke about the windfarm which he was in favour of although they weren’t being constructed on his land. He headed off along the track on his quad bike with his border collie perched on the rear.

The suggested route along the edge of the field was followed as the cows, their calves and the bull went a bit wild. I wasn’t sure if this was due to my presence or the farm dog so I was pleased to be on the other side of the fence, although I didn’t think it would stop a stampede. As the farmer rounded up his sheep I continued along the edge of a second field, still bounding the field of cattle.

I walked across a third field where a crop had been harvested and beyond there was a set of fences to cross, both topped with barbed wire. Once on the other side I was in long heather with a brief respite when I crossed a vehicle track. However the awkwardness of the long heather was short lived as I soon came to areas where the heather appeared to have been cut which made for easier walking as I meandered towards the top, avoiding the wind turbines. Two had already been constructed while a third was in the process of being put together. Sections of others were lying across the hillside. Apparently 21 turbines are to be erected here.

A small cairn was reached but apparently the highest point was 30 metres to the north so I paced out this distance and came to a tuft of heather that could possibly be described as being slightly higher than the surrounding ground. I then headed back to the cairn where I sat and ate my lunch with views of the turbines. The return was by the ascent route with the cattle still showing an interest, probably protecting their calves.

Photos taken on walk.

Ben Aigan, Moray.

2011-10-11T00:35:00.000-07:00

Ben Aigan

Ben Aigan, Moary. Section 21A.
Height – 471 metres. Map - OS Landranger 28.
Climbed - 9 October 2011. Time taken – 2.25 hours.
Distance – 7.5 kilometres. Ascent – 280 metres.
Trip Report Details:

I still had a couple of hills to climb in the Keith area so with the forecast of improving weather I set off up the A96. However as I passed through the Glens of Foudland the cloud lowered and it started to drizzle so I briefly wondered if I should continue. At Keith I left the A96 and headed along the A95 through Mulben as the cloud lifted off Ben Aigan and I soon reached the Forestry Commission sign for its car park.

The parking area was actually further into the forest than I expected and here there were notices and pamphlets about the various mountain bike trails within Forestry Commission property in Moray. On leaving my car I followed the vehicle track and mountain bike trail as it headed south-west. The track later swung round to the north as it gradual gained height.

I had read on Scottish Hills that there was a firebreak, which could be used to cut a couple of kilometres off the approach route, and located it beside a vehicle passing place. I followed the short cut, which was a bit wet and boggy with a couple of fallen trees obstructing the route. I came to a firebreak crossroads where I possibly could have gone left but decided to continue straight ahead. There was evidence of a shod horse having been along this route.

The vehicle track and cycle route was soon rejoined and I followed it until clear of the forest. A sign erected by Arndilly Estate asked for respect of rare wildlife and no noise. I wondered if they abided by their request when shooting grouse. Paths were followed to the summit trig point where it was quite windy. I had views to the nearby village of Rothes and in the distance the Moray Firth. I also observed my next hill, Knockan, with its wind turbines under construction.

After a cup of coffee sheltering behind the trig point I returned to the car park by the ascent route.

Photos taken on walk.

Birnam Hill, Dunkeld.

2011-10-10T09:25:00.000-07:00

King's Seat, Birnam Hill

Birnam Hill, Dunkeld. Section 1A.
Height – 404 metres. Map – OS Landranger 52.
Climbed - 19 September 2011. Time taken – 2 hours.
Distance – 4 kilometres. Ascent – 335 metres.
Trip Report Details:

My final Sub 2000 Marilyn before heading home was Birnam Hill with its highest point shown as King’s Seat. There were several routes to choose from but I decided to take what appeared to be the shortest although possibly not the easiest route.

I parked in the car park at Birnam Railway Station just off the A9, walked to the end of the car park, and joined the road that ran under the railway line. This led to a signposted route for Birnam Hill with the initial ascent being quite steep and warm work. Higher up the walking was easier as the path zigzagged. It then entered an area of bracken which had been flattened by walkers and was wet and slippery. There was an alternative route but I missed it.

It was surprisingly busy for a Monday but one group I passed mentioned that it was a holiday, probably a local one. The gradient eased and a short section of the path had been drained and resurfaced before the final climb led to the large summit cairn. Here a female was operating a radio tracker.

I sheltered behind the cairn while I ate my lunch before crossing to the south knoll to see if the views were any clearer as the trees restricted my photography. Afterwards I returned to the station car park by the ascent route.

Photos taken on walk.

Creag na Criche, Perthshire.

2011-10-08T09:23:00.000-07:00

Creag na Criche

Creag na Criche, Perthshire. Section 1A.
Height – 457 metres. Map – OS Landranger 52.
Climbed - 19 September 2011. Time taken – 1.5 hours.
Distance – 4 kilometres. Ascent – 245 metres.
Trip Report Details:

My second hill of the day was Creag na Criche, above Little Glen Shee. I had hoped to access its starting point from the B8063 in Glen Almond but the road was closed for repairs. I followed the diversionary signs until near Tullybelton House where the signs indicated that the road was closed 5.5 miles ahead. I drove along this single track road, crossed the Shochie Burn via a ford, and parked in the small car park on the south side of the stream. Fortunately the road was only closed from this point to the junction with the B8063.

I re-crossed the burn by a wooden footbridge followed by the section of road I had just driven along before passing through a new deer gate, which had an adjacent stile. A vehicle track headed north then east and I followed it until a junction of tracks where I took the left fork. This track climbed north-west to reach a new deer fence and at this point the track changed direction and headed north-east.

Unfortunately Creag na Criche was on the opposite side of this fence and there was no sign of a crossing point. I therefore had no option but clamber over the fence before climbing through long heather onto the summit area. I crossed a few knolls before reaching the summit cairn where I took a coffee break with views of surrounding heather clad hills and in the distance a large windfarm which was still under construction.

Rather than re-crossing the deer fence I headed along Creag na Criche’s undulating south-west ridge before changing direction and descending steeply towards the car park. Low down, and after crossing some marshy ground, I located another gate in the deer fence which I used to enter the enclosure. I then followed my original route the short distance back to the car.

Photos taken on walk.

Knock of Crieff, Perthshire.

2011-10-08T00:53:00.000-07:00

Knock of Crieff

Knock of Crieff, Perthshire. Section 1A.
Height – 279 metres. Map – OS Landranger 52.
Climbed - 19 September 2011. Time taken – 45 minutes.
Distance 3 kilometres. Ascent – 175 metres.
Trip Report Details:

There were three Sub 2000 Marilyns located between Crieff and Dunkeld and my idea was to climb them before heading home. The weather forecast indicated that it would be dry until later in the day.

I parked at the top of Knock Road in Crieff, followed a signposted route along the side of a field, and passed houses which appeared part of the Crieff Hydro complex. It was then I discovered I could have parked beyond the hotel, but it was only a short walk to the summit so made little difference.

The path through mixed woodland, which had a few very old trees, was followed as spots of rain fell. I didn’t carry my pack, containing my waterproofs, as I thought it was a bit over the top for this short climb.

There were a few dog walkers around and on approaching the viewpoint a female runner overtook me. From the top of this knoll the views were slightly restricted due to the height of the surrounding trees. The toposcope wasn’t of great benefit especially as it was cloudy towards the west.

This wasn’t the summit as it was further north-east so I followed the path, which descended slightly until it reached a small fenced off area, where the trees had been cleared. Unusual stiles were crossed at either end although I think there was an alternative route round the north side of the enclosure.

Beyond I entered the forest and soon reached a small cairn below a large fir tree, this marking the highest point on the Knock of Crieff. With no views I returned to my car by the ascent route. Again I was passed by the runner who told me that she was now off for a swim. Well she wouldn’t have been bothered by the rain which was now a bit heavier.

Photos taken on walk.

Beinn Dubh, Trossachs.

2011-09-25T08:15:00.000-07:00

Beinn Dubh

Beinn Dubh, Trossachs. Section 1C.
Height – 511 metres. Map – OS Landranger 56.
Climbed - 18 September 2011. Time taken – 5 hours.
Distance – 14 kilometres. Ascent – 740 metres.
Trip Report Details:

I had considered combining this Sub 2000 Marilyn with an ascent of Beinn Uamha but when I climbed the latter hill back in the summer I found the underfoot conditions difficult so decided on separate excursions.

The single track B829 road north of Aberfoyle was followed until I came to the private road leading to Loch Dhu House and Comer. Just beyond this junction I managed to get my car onto the grass verge at the edge of a passing place. It was a lovely sunny, although chilly, morning as I left the car, returned to the private road, and followed it passed Loch Dhu to the house and cottage of the same name. Here I took the left fork then soon afterwards a right fork, both signposted Comer. The track climbed through the forest and over the col between Mulan an t-Sagairt and Tom Dubh nan Caorach. Areas of the woodland had been cut down which allowed for some views, including the pylons running through Gleann Dubh.

On reaching the Gleann Dubh forest track there was another sign for Comer, which was at the head of the glen still around four kilometres away. I wasn’t going that far as after walking up the glen for around a kilometre and a half the track passed below the pylons. I read on the Scottish Hills forum that there was a track here which headed part way through the forest towards Beinn Dubh.

The track was easily spotted and rose steeply through an area where the trees had been removed but with lots of debris left lying around. In fact higher up some of the debris had been used to reinforce the track which later levelled out with several gaps for water channels. I headed up a narrower debris covered track which became quite difficult to walk on so I left it and headed directly uphill. Despite the area being cleared of trees and lots of dead branches covering the ground this part of the ascent wasn’t as bad as expected.

I eventually reached and crossed a fence at the point where a small area of the forest remained intact, as it was above the fence line. Around a hundred metres or so beyond, the gradient eased and I then crossed some wet and tussocky ground to reach an old deer fence, which in sections had collapsed. Thereafter an easy ascent took me to the cairn marking the summit of Beinn Dubh.

The views were worthwhile, including Ben Lomond, the Arrochar Alps and Ben Venue. After a coffee break I returned by the ascent route.

Photos taken on walk.

The Lomond Hills.

2011-09-24T10:04:00.000-07:00

East Lomond

East Lomond, West Lomond and Bishop Hill. Section 26.
Height – 448metres: 522 metres: 461 metres:
Map – OS Landranger 58 and 59.
Climbed - 17 September 2011. Time taken – 5.5 hours.
Distance – 17.5 kilometres. Ascent – 710 metres.
Trip Report Details:

Falkland in Fife was my destination as it would give me access to the hill road which crosses between East and West Lomond. I don’t recall being in Falkland before but a few years ago I sent a letter to a resident of the village and didn’t receive a reply for several weeks as it went via the Falkland Islands.

From the village I drove to the large car park at Craigmead, where several vehicles were parked. I decided to tackle East Lomond first as the summit of West Lomond was in cloud. I crossed the road and followed the path which initially rose steadily, but soon levelled out and was quite wet in sections as it ran between fields of sheep. I was passed by mountain bikers and hill runners.

Beyond a gate the ground was marshy before it steepened considerably. The path was rather slippery caused by earlier rain and I reached the viewpoint at the same time as the hill runners who had approached from a different direction. They were planning on returning to West Lomond as they had another hour to run. I visited the viewpoint and the summit, which was five metres south of the viewpoint, then took a break sheltering from the wind with views of the villages of Falkland and Auchtermuchty. After my coffee I returned to the car park by the upward route and despite West Lomond being clear of cloud I encountered a short rain shower.

I left the car park by the rear exit which led to an easy angled grassy track before it joined a hardcore surface. Further west the track became rather muddy but I left it and climbed steeply to the summit of West Lomond, marked by a trig point and cairn. The cloud base was now a lot higher and I had views across the Fife and Kinross-shire countryside.

My plan was to return to the car park and drive round to Scotlandwell or Easter Balgedie and climb Bishop Hill. However on the ascent of West Lomond I thought I might as well include it in this walk so I headed south following some trails but once across a fence they seemed to disappear. The going was quite rough and around Glen Vale wet and marshy. I crossed a path, passed through a gate, and followed a wet muddy vehicle track, still heading in a southerly direction.

This led to an opening in the dyke and a track going west which I used but it began to turn away from my destination so I left it and headed directly towards Bishop Hill. Initially this involved some grassy undulations before a fence was reached and crossed. Beyond the ground was wet, boggy and churned up by cattle but eventually I made the final ascent to the summit cairn of Bishop Hill.

Here I found some shelter from the wind for a late lunch but was wary that at any moment the cattle I had spotted near the summit would head my way. Fortunately they didn’t. After lunch I crossed a nearby stone dyke and fence then followed a vehicle track east but it soon disappeared and I encountered more marshy ground. At a junction of fences I headed north and picked up the route I used earlier on my ascent of Bishop Hill and followed it back to Glen Vale.

The decision I now had to make was how to return to the car park. I decided, rather than going over the shoulder of West Lomond, to follow the path east along Glen Vale to Harperleas Reservoir. The path was used by mountain bikers and was muddy in places. At the Reservoir the path went round the south side of the water and thereafter, according to my map, headed off in a south-easterly direction. I therefore continued along the north edge of the Reservoir but the going was very difficult through rushes and round fallen timber. I had to get away from the water’s edge so headed north-west across fields before continuing east to the track beside the ruin above the Reservoir dam. Here I observed the route through the forest also crossed the dam and came out near the ruin, which would have been a lot easier.

It was here that I read the sign about livestock which stated “don’t stare at bulls, they don’t like it and might become aggressive”. Although it may be true it’s the first time I’ve heard that and I thought it rather funny.

I followed the track east where according to another sign thousands of trees had been planted. The track passed above Little Ballo Farm before joining the public road and a short walk to the car park.

Photos taken on walk.

Normans Law, Fife.

2011-09-23T10:13:00.000-07:00

Norman's Law

Norman’s Law, Fife. Section 26.
Height – 285 metres. Map – OS Landranger 59.
Climbed - 10 September 2011. Time taken – 2 hours.
Distance – 6.5 kilometres. Ascent – 320 metres.
Trip Report Details:

My third Sub 2000 Marilyn, before heading home, was Norman’s Law. There appeared to be several approach routes but I decided to start from near the village of Luthrie as it was close to the A92, the road north. However on entering Luthrie a sign indicated there was no suitable parking beyond Lower Luthrie Farm, so I left my car in the village near the school.

I could hear the constant bellowing of cattle and on passing the farm I saw some agitated cows in an adjoining field and their calves in a nearby steading, obviously being weaned. I continued along the farm road to a crossroads junction and took a right turn as indicated by a sign. This route took me below Emily Hill and onto Carphin Farm, which appeared vacant. Here another sign directed me through a gate and along another vehicle track.

A junction of tracks was soon reached but without any signage I opted to take the left fork and crossed a tied down gate. I followed a muddy track to the col below Black Craig where I got my first view of Norman’s Law. There were various paths, some were animal trails, heading towards this hill and I opted for one that led to a forested area, not knowing that further north there was a gap and path through the trees. I crossed a fence, worked my way through the trees, and crossed a second fence before dropping from a stone dyke onto a vehicle track.

I followed this track north and spotted the route I should have used to avoid the trees. The vehicle track headed into a field but I followed a path that climbed steadily beside its fence then to the summit viewpoint, trig point and large cairn. Highland Cattle were feeding nearby. I took a break here with views of the hills I had climbed earlier that day, the River Tay, its bridges and Dundee.

The descent was by the south ridge to the gap in the trees that I had missed earlier. This took me to the col beside Black Craig and I followed the ascent route back to the village of Luthrie.

Photos taken on walk.

Mount Hill, Fife.

2011-09-23T00:36:00.000-07:00

Mount Hill

Mount Hill, Fife. Section 26.
Height – 221 metres. Map – OS Landranger 59.
Climbed - 10 August 2011. Time taken – 1 hour.
Distance – 3.5 kilometres. Ascent – 140 metres.
Trip Report Details:

The start of this walk was the unclassified road to the east of Mount Hill, accessed from the A913 Newburgh to Cupar Road. Parking was at a premium here but I managed to get my vehicle onto the verge. A ‘Right of Way’ sign indicated the route to the hill, which initially ran between two fields before heading along the top of the westerly field, passing through a couple of gates en-route.

There were several signs, I counted at least five, but with the summit topped by a large monument the direction of travel was obvious. The route followed the edge of the forest with game birds in the adjoining field. It then entered the woodland and the track ran below the east side of the monument before swinging round to the north. I left the track here and followed a path through long, wet grass to the Hopetoun Monument, which marks the summit. There was also a trig point a few metres to the south but it was lower.

The trees obstructed any decent views so after a few minutes at the top I commenced the descent following the upward route, encountering a light shower as I headed for my car.

A Google search revealed that the Hopetoun Monument was a single giant Roman Doric column, with internal stair and balcony above, erected in 1826, by the inhabitants of Fife in memory of John 4th, Earl of Hopetoun. Pity the door was locked as at least there would have been views from the balcony.

Photos taken on walk.

Cairnie Hill, Fife.

2011-09-22T13:25:00.000-07:00

Cairnie Hill

Cairnie Hill, Lindores, Fife. Section 26.
Height – 228 metres. Map – OS Landranger 59.
Climbed - 10 September 2011. Time taken – 1.5 hours.
Distance – 4 kilometres. Ascent – 175 metres.
Trip Report Details:

The earlier rain had ceased as I drove along the B937 on the east side of Lindores Loch where a couple of fishermen were setting up their rods beside a small pier. The width of verge parking here was restricted due to a chain link fence but several vehicles could be left there. A couple of the swans frequenting the loch were having a go at each other.

I walked back along the road for several metres before crossing it and heading up a vehicle track keeping to the right at a junction as the other track led to a nearby house. I passed a few game bird enclosures as the track ran below the north side of Cairnie Hill before swinging round to its east side on a gradual gradient. At the point where the track descended slightly I passed through an open gate and climbed steadily across a field.

This route led to the crossing of two barbed wire fences and into some long vegetation where vehicle wheels had flattened the grass which made progress a little easier. Near the highest point I crossed an old fence and walked the short distance to a large beech tree and rock which was the actual summit. I found a Geocache box concealed at the foot of the tree where I sat and had my lunch.

The descent was to the west but initially through some gorse bushes before another track was reached and followed. Unfortunately it led to a game bird enclosure so I had to retrace my steps for a few metres, before working my way between a line of trees and over another barbed wire fence. I then crossed a field to a grassy walkway that led to the track near the cottage not far from the start.

Photos taken on walk.

Craigowl Hill, Angus.

2011-09-22T07:15:00.000-07:00

Craigowl Hill

Craigowl Hill, Angus. Section 26.
Height 455 metres. Map – OS Landranger 54.
Climbed - 9 September 2011. Time taken – 2 hours.
Distance – 4 kilometres. Ascent – 215 metres.
Trip Report Details:

I reached the start of this Sub 2000 Marilyn by leaving the A90, north of Dundee, passing through the village of Tealing, and driving to the road end at Hillside of Prieston. I parked my vehicle here as the road was wide enough without obstructing the nearby private roads.

My map showed a path heading north and I planned to use it rather than the vehicle track which was the direct route to Craigowl Hill. I stuck to this plan as there were lots of cows and calves surrounding the direct route, which was actually a tarred road.

The earlier rain had ceased as I crossed a cattle grid and walked round the east side of the derelict buildings expecting to find the path. However there was no trace of its existence, just wet and muddy ground churned up by cattle. There were also a few cows in the area so I headed towards the stock fence to try and locate the path, as well as having an escape route if required.

As I walked parallel to the fence I could see evidence of old tracks so I continued heading north until I came to a junction of fences. Here there were marks in the vegetation, on the south side of the fence heading towards Prieston Hill, so I followed this fence until there was a slight dip. I crossed the fence and followed a third fence as it descended to the road leading to Craigowl Hill.

I continued to avoid the road and climbed steeply towards the masts on Craigowl Hill which occasionally appeared out of the low cloud. There were more cattle in this area but they were far enough away not to cause a problem. I headed to and then walked below the perimeter fence of one the communication towers before crossing a rusty fence and walking the short distance to the summit trig point.

There were a few breaks in the cloud but insufficient to allow me a 360 degree view, so I returned to the tarred road and followed it back to the start. This did entail a few minor diversions to avoid cattle feeding close to the road.

Photos taken on walk.

Meikle Balloch Hill, Keith.

2011-09-21T00:54:00.000-07:00

Meikle Balloch Hill

Meikle Balloch Hill, Keith. Section 21A.
Height – 366 metres. Map – OS Landranger 29.
Climbed - 4 September 2011. Time taken – 1.25 hours.
Height climbed – 3.5 kilometres. Ascent – 165 metres.
Trip Report Details:

My final Sub 2000 Marilyn on Sunday 4 September 2011 was Meikle Balloch Hill, which was accessed from Keith town centre along a minor road to just beyond the Water Works near Wester Herricks. Here there was a small car parking area with a map showing routes around Balloch Wood.

I followed the blue route, a new path which climbed through the woods, crossed a forest track, and continued uphill. It deteriorated as it passed through an area of felled timber, but improved again when I re-entered the mature forest. The path steepened considerably, but the hard work constructing the path had in places been undone as some of the edges had been washed away and formed a deep ditch.

The gradient eased and I cleared the forest where the improvement to the path ended. It was then a wet and boggy stroll to Meikle Balloch Hill’s summit cairn which was a metre higher than the nearby trig point. I had a late lunch beside the trig point, with views of the hills I had climbed earlier that day, before returning to the car park by the ascent route. The end of a fairly successful day in the North-East, with four Sub 2000 Marilyns climbed.

Photos taken on walk.

Bin of Cullen, Banffshire.

2011-09-20T01:03:00.000-07:00

Bin of Cullen

Bin of Cullen, Banffshire. Section 21A.
Height – 320 metres. Map – OS Landranger 29.
Climbed - 4 September 2011. Time taken – 1.25 hours.
Distance – 5 kilometres. Ascent – 215 metres.
Trip Report Details:

The third Sub 2000 Marilyn on my wee tour around the North-East of Scotland was the Bin of Cullen, located to the south-west of the Moray Firth coastal village of Cullen. To access the starting point at the south end of Shirralds Wood, I drove to Deskford, then Braidbog Farm, where the single track public road entered the woods. There was limited parking at the start of the forest track so I found some verge parking further east.

I walked back to the start of the forest track and followed it as it descended to and crossed the Glen Burn. Immediately thereafter I took a left fork and this track wound its way through the woodland towards the col between Little Bin and Bin of Cullen. The hill was obviously a popular walk for family groups and dog walkers, as I passed several.

Higher up the trees thinned and I was able to get some views of the surrounding countryside. There was a rather rocky looking shortcut heading towards the summit but I opted to remain on the track which eventually cleared the forest before it reached the summit viewpoint and trig point.

I was fortunate to have the summit area to myself as there were quite a few folks ascending and descending the track. I had good views of the Morayshire and Banffshire coasts and across the Moray Firth to Ben Wyvis and the Sutherland and Caithness coastlines. After a few minutes at the summit I returned by the ascent route.

Photos taken on walk.

Knock Hill, Banffshire.

2011-09-16T00:45:00.000-07:00

Knock Hill

Knock Hill, Glen Barry, Banffshire. Section 21A.

Height – 430 metres. Map – OS Landranger 29.

Climbed - 4 September 2011. Time taken – 1.25 hours.

Distance – 2.5 kilometres. Ascent – 235 metres.

Trip Report Details:

The second Sub 2000 Marilyn on my wee tour of the North-East of Scotland was Knock Hill, located to the west of the A95 Keith to Banff road at Glenbarry. A narrow single track road led passed the house at Swilebog where there was parking for two or three cars.

On approaching the parking spot I could see the route up the heather clad hillside of Knock Hill. Firstly I had to negotiate the woodland below so I walked north for a few metres before locating a track through the forest and along the edge of a small field, where the grass had recently been cut. A path then led to a gate with the open hillside beyond.

The path through the heather was quite badly eroded and was like a small trench in sections. It was a tougher ascent than I expected so I was happy when I reached the top gate. Beyond was the summit cairn and trig point. On exploring the area there was a memorial cairn to Martin, apparently the founder of the stone race, and a stone circle created by runners bringing stones to the summit.

I had been in two minds whether to take my rucksack, containing my flask, with me on this short ascent but was pleased I had as I sat at the summit in the sun drinking coffee and taking in the views of the surrounding countryside.

The return was by the ascent route.

Photos taken on walk.

Fourman Hill, Banffshire.

2011-09-15T10:13:00.000-07:00

Fourman Hill

Fourman Hill, Banffshire. Section 21A.

Height – 344 metres. Map – OS Landranger 29.

Climbed - 4 September 2011. Time taken – 1 hour.

Distance – 3.5 kilometres. Ascent – 165 metres.

Trip Report Details:

The forecast was good so I planned a tour round the Huntly, Cullen and Keith areas of the North-East of Scotland to allow me to climb a few of the Sub 2000 Marilyns. The first hill on my list was Fourman Hill, which appeared easier to ascend from the east. However a westerly approach meant a shorter drive to my next hill.

I drove from Huntly to the village of Milltown and onto the public road that ended at Redhill Farm. There were no parking facilities here but I spotted and spoke to the farmer, in fact we chatted for well over twenty minutes, before with his permission I parked at the side of an outbuilding.

Once booted up I set off for the track that ran below the north side of Fourman Hill. I soon crossed a gate, but what was shown on the map as a track was more like a path with over grown bushes at the side. The path was also used by cattle, as an extension to their field on the north side, and was muddy and churned up in sections.

A second gate was reached with a sign indicating the route to the summit. I opted to pass through the gate before heading uphill following the fence line to avoid grazing sheep. I was pleased to note that I had selected the correct side of the fence as higher up there were lots of cows and calves on the other side.

I reached a boundary stone and fence junction where there was a hole in the fence. I crawled through this gap and made the short climb to the summit trig point and cairn, which were surrounded by gorse bushes. It was still a lovely sunny morning so I had good views across the Banffshire countryside towards the Moray Firth and my target hills. After taking a few photographs I returned by my ascent route.

Photos taken on walk.

Creag Dhubh, Affric.

2011-09-15T03:40:00.000-07:00

Creag Dhubh

Creag Dhubh, Affric, Inverness-shire. Section 11B.

Height – 539 metres. Map – OS Landranger 25.

Climbed - 27 August 2011. Time taken – 1.75 hours.

Distance – 3.5 kilometres. Ascent – 225 metres.

Trip Report Details:

Earlier in the day I climbed the Sub 2000 Marilyn, Carn nam Bad, near Cannich, so it wasn’t far to drive to the start for the ascent of Creag Dhubh. However I wasn’t exactly sure where my starting point was going to be as it depended on vehicular access.

I drove through the hamlet of Tomich and beyond reached a vehicle track with several water filled pot holes. I knew public access was permitted as far as the Plodda Falls, where there was a small car park, and from previous visits usually as far as the riding centre at Cougie. However on reaching Cougie there were still no signs or gates so I continued to drive along the track on the north side of the Feith na Leitreach until the track split and deteriorated (NH227210). I parked up on a large area of levelled ground.

Trees to the south of the track had been cleared but direct access to Creag Dhubh to the north wasn’t possible due to mature fir trees so I walked west to the end of the woodland. Here the track rose slightly so I continued for a few more metres before leaving it and heading towards Creag Dhubh’s west ridge. Initially the ascent was through bracken but then it was over some very rough ground including a few old cut or fallen trees, old drainage channels, old vehicle tracks and holes containing water, all concealed by long vegetation.

Underfoot conditions improved as I waded though the lanky heather to reach the west ridge which was followed over a couple of knolls before a slightly rocky ascent led to the summit cairn of Creag Dhubh. Lunch was had at the summit with views of the Glen Affric mountains.

On my return I took a more direct route to the edge of the tress but it wasn’t any easier with some steeper sections to descend. The track was then followed back to my car. I never met anyone from Cougie or from the estate so I cannot say if driving to the starting point would be tolerated.

Photos taken on walk.

Carn nam Bad, Cannich.

2011-09-14T00:56:00.000-07:00

Carn nam Bad

Carn nam Bad, Cannich. Section 12B.

Height – 457 metres. Map – OS Landranger 26.

Climbed - 27 August 2011. Time taken – 2.5 hours.

Distance – 8.5 kilometres. Ascent – 345 metres.

Trip Report Details:

Staying in Inverness it was only a short drive to just north of Millness, on the A831 Drumnadrochit to Cannich Road. Numerous barriers prevented me parking at the start of the forest track but I found a small tarred area slightly further north on the opposite side of the road.

I walked back to the start of the track and read notices on the double gates referring to the Beauly to Denny power line upgrade. At that time I thought the signage was directed at vehicle access as there was nothing pinned to the nearby stile, which I crossed to access the track. I also wasn’t aware that the Beauly to Denny transmission line upgrade included the Cannich to Beauly section.

As I walked along the forest track, passed a house concealed within the forest, I noted that forest operations had taken place as areas of tress had been cleared and piles of timber were stored nearby. The track soon became wider with a new hard core base which was quite rough to walk on. This led to an open gate with a Health and Safety sign and no entry signs for pedestrians.

I decided to investigate further and soon came to a storage area where huge diggers were parked up. With no human activity around I continued on my approach to Carn nam Bad with a plan to reassess the situation if I came across any work in progress. The widened track was followed through a new deer gate and on-towards Loch Carn nam Badan. I have to admit that I wasn’t enjoying the walk due the track upgrade and the state of the adjoining vegetation which had been churned up or drained leaving an unsightly mess. I was also thinking that if this was the beginning of the upgrade a lot of the Scottish countryside between Beauly and Denny was going to be left in a similar state.

On approaching Loch Carn nam Bad I observed two diggers on the track ahead. Fortunately they were parked up but a short section of the old vehicle track was rather muddy. Before reaching the loch I left the track and commenced the ascent of Carn nam Bad through deep heather with some boggy sections lower down. Areas of the hillside were roped off which made me rather inquisitive but I couldn’t figure out why as there were no pylons in this area. I reached a deer fence and followed it towards the summit cairn which was slightly off the fence line. At the cairn I took a break with views of the mountains between Affric and Strathconon.

The return was by the ascent route and again there was no human activity. I later learned that a new power line was being constructed over Carn nam Bad rather than upgrading those that already exist in nearby Strathglass. Well at least I saw and visited Carn nam Bad before the area was ruined forever.

Photos taken on walk.

Earl's Seat, Campsie Fells.

2011-09-13T01:04:00.000-07:00

Earl's Seat

Earl’s Seat, Campsie Fells. Section 26.

Height - 578 metres. Map – OS Landranger 57.

Climbed - 21 August 2011. Time taken – 3.75 hours.

Distance – 11 kilometres. Ascent – 760 metres.

The Sub 2000 Marilyn, Earl’s Seat, in the Campsie Fells, didn’t appear to be an easy hill to access, despite being close to the Glasgow conurbation. On studying the map I decided to approach it from the A81, the Glasgow to Aberfoyle road, and take in the wee steep sided hill, Dumgoyne.

I enquired about parking at the Glengoyne Distillery but was politely told that they were expecting lots of visitors and it was suggested that I park on the verge, opposite the lay-by which was closed for repair. Apparently it is common practice for walkers to park on the verge as the access road to the hill is private. However with traffic busy on the A81 getting on and off the verge required some care.

Once parked up I set off up the private road, passed a few houses, to Blairgar, where the track passed along the front of this house and to a field where the gate was open. I followed the walker’s path across the field to a double stile and the crossing of a small stream. Beyond was a steep climb of the west face of Dumgoyne where higher up the path was quite eroded. The summit, marked by a large stone, was reached, where a young couple were taking in the views but they had no plan to continue to Earl’s Seat.

The descent of the east face of Dumgoyne was equally steep with a few rocky sections to traverse. The path joined a vehicle track as it made its way through the Canny Tops to the summit cairn of Garloch Hill. Here I had views of Killearn and in the distance, Loch Lomond.

Earl’s Seat was still some way off. I followed the undulating ridge to Bell Cairn before crossing a fence, and a short stretch of marshy ground, to reach another knoll. Eventually the path swung round to the south where again there was some marshy ground to cross. Then it was an easy climb onto Earl’s Seat. Well it would have been but firstly a fence had to be crossed to reach the summit trig point which was separated from the summit cairn by a second stock fence.

After lunch, sheltering behind the cairn from the wind, I returned by the approach route to the col between Garloch Hill and Dumgoyne then followed a path round its north and west side. This led to the route used earlier in the day which I followed back to the A81.

Photos taken on walk.

Innerdouny Hill, Kinross.

2011-09-12T01:05:00.000-07:00

Innerdouny Hill

Innerdouny Hill, Kinross. Section 26.

Height - 497 metres. Map – OS Landranger 58.

Climbed - 20 August 2011. Time taken – 2.5 hours.

Distance – 8.5 kilometres. Ascent – 275 metres.

Trip Report Details:

Earlier in the day I climbed Lendrick Hill so it was only a short drive north on the B934 to the starting point for Innerdouny Hill. Again there was no suitable parking at the side of the road but the entrance to the forest track, immediately north of the house at Littlerig, was wide enough to take several cars without obstructing the gate.

There were various notices regarding forest operations but none restricting access, although one sign indicated that this may occur on occasions. I headed up the forest track where there were piles of cut tress awaiting removal. A car was parked beside this timber and I could hear the noise of a chainsaw nearby. Vast areas of the forest had been cut down leaving a fairly unsightly mess but at least it allowed me to see the route ahead. The summit of Innerdouny Hill was just visible above the remaining tree tops, although my map showed the top to be covered in trees.

I kept to the right at a couple of track junctions and higher up entered an area of uncut mature trees. On a couple of occasions I was tempted to leave the track and use what appeared to be narrow firebreaks to access the summit area, especially when the track made a slight descent. However I persevered with the track as it took me round to the east side of the hill where I came to an old fence and a rather wide firebreak.

The fence was followed towards the summit over some rough ground and trails through the vegetation, possibly animal marks. I passed an old stone dyke before reaching the summit trig point and with improving weather conditions had views of the Lomonds, Ochils and the Forth Valley.

After lunch, sheltering from the wind behind the trig point, I walked back to the stone dyke and decided to follow it. Initially there was little difference in the terrain but when the dyke ended I entered a firebreak where the underfoot conditions were pretty awful, wet and marshy with a few fallen trees. It was too late but I should have returned by the ascent route. Eventually I reached the vehicle track and followed it back to the start. A couple of runners and their border collies, who were headed uphill, were the only folks I met.

Photos taken on walk.

Lendrick Hill, Clackmannanshire.

2011-09-11T03:37:00.000-07:00

Lendrick Hill

Lendrick Hill, Clackmannanshire. Region 26.
Height – 456 metres. Map – OS Landranger 58.
Climbed - 20 August 2011. Time taken – 1.25 hours.
Distance – 4.5 kilometres. Ascent – 235 metres.
Trip Report Details:

My plan was to climb Lendrick Hill from the B934 north of the Yetts o’Muckart but I was undecided whether to make a direct ascent of its west ridge or use the forest track slightly further north. On the drive along the B934 the vegetation on the west ridge didn’t look inviting as it appeared very rough and wild so I opted for the route through the forest.

There wasn’t any parking in the vicinity of the track so I left my car in the bell mouth, without obstructing the entrance, and headed off through the forest. The walking was easy as the track wound its way uphill and I had ever improving views of the Ochils. I didn’t have a plan to access the hill but was pleasantly surprised to find a fire break heading in the correct direction. I then noticed a small cairn at the edge of the track and guessed this was one of the standard routes onto Lendrick Hill.

It was a steady climb through the fire break where the ground was wet and in places very slippery. The top end of the fire break took me clear of the forest and to a stock fence, which I crossed. A worn mark in the grass led to the summit cairn which was three metres higher than the nearby trig point.

There were views, not very clear due to the cloudy conditions, of East and West Lomond, Loch Leven and from the trig point the Forth Valley. I found some shelter from the wind for a cup of coffee before returning by the ascent route. Near the end, a mountain biker past me heading uphill.

Photos taken on walk.

An Socach, Cape Wrath Peninsula.

2011-08-30T09:21:00.000-07:00

An Socach

An Socach, Cape Wrath Peninsula. Section 16A.

Height – 362 metres. Map – OS Landranger 9.

Climbed - 7 August 2011. Time taken – 4 hours.

Distance – 9.5 kilometres. Ascent – 410 metres.

Trip Report Details:

The forecast wasn’t great so my plan to access some of the remoter Sub 2000 Marilyns on the Cape Wrath peninsula was put on hold. Instead I headed for one of its easier hills, An Socach. I left my vehicle in a parking area on the B801 at Badcall, east of Kinlochbervie, and walked east to the vehicle track that headed north from this hamlet.

The vehicle track was initially in reasonable condition and I passed a few abandoned and rusting implements lying at the side. The track appeared little used and soon deteriorated but it was still suitable for walking along and went as far as the Allt nan Lub Bana, further than my map showed. There was no problem crossing this stream but beyond I was confronted by some marshy ground, which I was expecting as here the contours on the map were wide apart.

I worked my way round some pools of water as I made for higher ground east of Poll Buidhe. This took me onto An Socach’s south-west ridge where the going was a bit rough with more areas of water to avoid. A slight dip in the ridge was followed by a steep and rocky ascent of An Socach’s South-West Top arriving at its large cairn just as the cloud lowered and engulfed the hill. I took a couple of bearings and headed for the 358 metre Top before doing a dogleg to reach the true summit further north-west, which was marked by a small cairn.

Earlier I had some views, including Sandwood Bay and Loch, but I was hoping that the cloud would lift so that I could get more views of the area. I had a snack at the summit during some light rain and waited for around forty minutes for the cloud to lift which it did. Once I had taken a few more photographs I returned by the ascent route. The cloud continued to lift and I even managed a view east to Arkle.

Photos taken on walk.

Beinn Sgeireach, Sutherland.

2011-08-10T22:29:00.000-07:00

Beinn Sgeireach

Beinn Sgeireach, Glen Sgeireach, Sutherland. Section 16E.

Height – 476 metres. Map – OS Landranger 16.

Climbed – 5 August 2011. Time taken – 2.25 hours.

Distance – 6.5 kilometres. Ascent – 410 metres.

Trip Report Details:

My second Sub 2000 Marilyn of the day, before heading for a weekend in the North-West, was Beinn Sgeireach, which is located between Glen Cassley and Loch Shin. The Glen Cassley road, the nearest public road to this hill, was reached from Rosehall on the A837. It was a pleasant drive up the single track road which ran along the east side of the River Cassley. At Badintagairt Farm I parked directly opposite the farm house, which appeared to be unoccupied.

To the north of the farm I located the vehicle track shown on my map which headed east to a small forested area and apparently up the side of the Allt Bad na t-Sagairt to Coire Buidhe. However the track was in poor condition being rutted in places, difficult to walk on and even find. A more direct route, slightly to the north, appeared easier so I abandoned my initial plan to follow the track and made a more direct ascent towards Beinn Sgeireach, which I couldn’t actually see at this time.

The ground was a bit stonier and the vegetation shorter but as I gained some height the grasses became longer and the walking more awkward, although climbing these less popular hills I’m quite used to pathless terrain. The summit area of Beinn Sgeireach became visible while underfoot it was a bit wet with lots of bog pools to avoid so there was a some meandering required to keep my feet dry.

A slight dip, which was wet and boggy, was crossed before the gradient increased with a few rocks to walk round as I climbed to the summit trig point. Here I had good views towards Bens Hope, Loyal and Klibreck as well as several other smaller hills.

After a late lunch I returned to my car slightly to the south of the ascent route to avoid the wetter areas of the hillside but I’m not sure I gained much benefit.

Photos taken on walk.

Meall Dola, Lairg.

2011-08-09T09:31:00.000-07:00

Meall Dola

Meall Dola, Lairg. Section 16D.

Height - 323 metres. Map – OS Landranger 16.

Climbed - 5 August 2011. Time taken – 1.5 hours.

Distance – 5 kilometres. Ascent – 160 metres.

I was headed for a weekend in the North-West Highlands of Scotland with a plan to climb a couple of Sub 2000 Marilyn en-route. Meall Dola fitted into this plan as it wasn’t far off my route to some of the best landscapes in Scotland.

The slight diversion took me to the village of Lairg where I drove along the A839 towards Rogart. Just beyond Lairg I located the road to Balcharn and after an uphill section of single carriageway road parked on the verge north-east of the farm.

Once geared up I passed through a gate and followed a vehicle track which headed east. Beyond a second gate and a field of sheep that seemed attracted by my presence, the track swung right but my plan was to follow the path shown on the map, if it existed. I located the path which passed close to a small copse of fir trees. Sections were overgrown, wet and occasionally difficult to locate although the line of the path was fairly obvious.

Just beyond the col between Cnoc Moine na Cailinn and Meall Dola the path became difficult to locate but I continued to near the edge of the forest which was surrounded by a deer fence. I crossed a standard fence followed by a short section of boggy ground, before making my way over heather to the summit of Meall Dola, which was marked by a few stones.

I took a short break here with views of the East Sutherland Hills and in the distance the tops of the Caithness Hills were visible. I noted the proliferation of wind farms which have now spread to this area spoiling its natural beauty. The return was by a more direct route to the col then the path back to the starting point.

Photos taken on walk.

Tap O'Noth, Rhynie.

2011-07-19T13:43:00.000-07:00

Tap O'Noth

Tap O’Noth, Rhynie. Section 21A.
Height – 563 metres. Map – OS Landranger 37.

Climbed - 14 July 2011. Time taken – 1.5 hours.

Distance – 5 kilometres. Ascent – 300 metres.

Trip Report Details:

Earlier in the day I was in Duftown climbing The Convals with a plan to return via Rynie to add the Sub 2000 Marilyn, Tap O’Noth, to my day’s tally.

As I approached Rhynie, on the A941 Dufftown Road, an obvious sign indicated the route to the car park, which was up a narrow road. On leaving my vehicle I continued along this track which soon came to an end just beyond a stile. A short section of grassy path, which was a bit overgrown, was followed before I reached a new deer fence with appropriate gates. Beyond, the hillside was a bit of a mess as the gorse had been cut down but I later realised the reason for this was that tree planting was in progress and this accounted for the new fencing and gates.

I walked along the hard packed muddy vehicle track, which ran alongside this new fence, until I came to a second set of gates where I changed direction and followed another vehicle track uphill, still within the confines of the fenced off area. This led to a further set of gates and beyond the open hillside.

The ground steepened but a vehicle track, which had been improved in sections, led up the hillside then round the south side of the hill, just below the summit. From here I could see Rhynie and across the Aberdeenshire farmland to Bennachie. As the track swung round to the east side of Tap O’Noth I had views of the Hill of Noth and the town of Huntly. It was at this point that I entered the summit area, an old fort. I followed a path to the trig point and onto the actual summit, located beside a concrete plinth.

I returned to the trig point to eat my lunch. While seated there, looking out over the surrounding countryside, I was contemplating what an ideal location it was for a fort with its extensive views in all directions.

After my contemplations and lunch I returned to my car by the ascent route.

Photos taken on walk.

Little and Meikle Conval, Dufftown.

2011-07-17T08:37:00.000-07:00

Meikle Conval

Little Conval and Meikle Conval, Dufftown. Section 21A.

Height – 552 and 571 metres. Map – OS Landranger 28.

Climbed - 14 July 2011. Time taken – 2.75 hours.

Distance – 9.5 kilometres. Ascent – 515 metres.

Trip Report Details:

The plan had been to go out at the weekend, but with a forecast of wind and rain, this was abandoned for better midweek conditions. It was a sunny morning when I set off for Dufftown and on arrival parked in their Golf Club car park on the B9009 Tomintoul road. Parking here may not always be possible, especially in the evenings and at weekends, but on my arrival the car park was almost empty.

I walked south along the B9009 for around 300 metres before following a vehicle track up the side of the forest and a field, passing a game bird enclosure. The track improved when it joined the one coming in from Home Farm, that section of track not showing on my map. Work had obviously been carried out in the area with new fencing, gates and an upgrading of the track which left a bit of a scar but once the vegetation grows some of the disturbance should be concealed.

The improvement in the track came to a halt at the bealach beside Glach-en-ronack, where I had intended climbing Little Conval from. A path led up the south side of this hill on a direct route crossing a vehicle track several times as it took on an easier gradient. The path skirted the summit so I climbed to the top, marked by a few stones. Thereafter I returned to the path and followed it to the trig point on the north side of the hill where I sat in the sun taking in the views towards Rothes, Ben Aigan and below me to the village of Dufftown.

After my break I returned to the bealach and commenced the ascent of Meikle Conval. The path, and in places vehicle track, were a bit wet and churned up compared to the dry conditions on its little brother. However the ascent was similar with a slightly steeper section before the gradient eased. The summit area was reached and it was a pleasant stroll to the cairn, located at its south end. Ben Rinnes was now very close being just across Glack Harnes, with its fellow Corbett, Corryhabbie Hill, on the opposite side of Glen Rinnes. In the distance the Cairngorms were visible.

Once again I returned to Glach-en-ronack before following the vehicle track back to the main road.
Photos taken on walk.

Beinn Uamha, Trossachs.

2011-07-10T03:32:00.000-07:00

Beinn Uamha

Beinn Uamha, Trossachs. Section 1C.
Height – 598 metres. Map – OS Landranger 56.
Climbed - 3 July 2011. Time taken – 4.75 hours.
Distance – 12 kilometres. Ascent – 610 metres.
Trip Report Details:

Beinn Uamha is located to the west of Loch Ard Forest in the Trossachs and Loch Lomond National Park with the only road access being through the village of Aberfoyle. On studying the map I thought the best route would be from the north end of Loch Chon as there was a track and a path that would afford me access through part of the forest.

I managed to park on the verge opposite the milepost just north of the forest track and walked the few metres back to the start of this hike. A new path was being constructed here heading north and set back from the public road. The forest track descended to near the farm at Frenich and to the path up the side of a stream.

The path was overgrown with a ditch to cross so I decided to walk further south along the forest track to ascertain if there was a better route through the forest to the foot of Beinn Uamha. The only evidence of any paths were those leading to some old aqueducts so after around a kilometre I gave up and returned to the path beside the stream. This added around forty minutes to my walk, which is included in the above time.

On returning to the stream I crossed the ditch and followed an old vehicle track up the north side of the burn. Initially this was along the edge of a deer fence but it soon came to an end. Further on there was evidence that water had been extracted from the burn although it appeared to me that this practice had ceased. Beyond the water extraction equipment there was little evidence of any path. The conditions underfoot were pretty awful with tussocky ground, bracken, bog and fallen timber to contend with. I did cross the stream a couple of times looking for a better route but here new tress had been planted and lots of old timber lay around, some hidden by the vegetation.

At grid reference NN402064 I reached another vehicle track but it was of no benefit as it headed in the wrong direction. I therefore continued up the side of the stream where several mature trees blocked my way. This meant wandering into the forest as I worked my way round them. I then came to an area where the trees had been forested so there was lots of old cut timber and branches to contend with.

I was pleased to see and reach the fence at the top end of the forest as once across it I was onto the open hillside, with Beinn Uamha ahead of me. The underfoot conditions were slightly improved as there was no cut or fallen timber to contend with but the ground was tussoky with some long heather. Pylons supporting electric cable crossed the hillside and I passed below them before reaching the foot of the hill.

The hillside was quite steep with several crags but they were easily avoided as I climbed through bracken and heather. As height was gained the walking became easier although the flies were a nuisance. I eventually reached the summit cairn with some good views including Ben Lomond and Loch Katrine. I was in the need of rest and some food so sat at the cairn eating my lunch and contemplating the return route which I wasn’t looking forward to.

There was another Sub 2000 Marilyn to the south-east but I had had enough of the underfoot conditions so I returned by the ascent route, missing out the extra section along the forest track.

Photos taken on walk.

Beinn a'Chaoinich, Glenelg.

2011-06-29T12:01:00.000-07:00

Beinn a'Chaoinich

Beinn a’Chaoinich, Glenelg. Section 10A.
Height – 410 metres. Map – OS Landranger 33.
Date - 12 June 2011. Time taken – 3.25 hours.
Distance – 6 kilometres. Ascent 405 metres.
Trip Report Details:

The previous day I was on Beinn Sgritheall and thereafter the Kintail Lodge Hotel celebrating a couple’s final Munro. Prior to heading home I decided to climb this Sub 2000 Marilyn, which meant re-crossing the Bealach Ratagan, not a hardship as I enjoy the drive and the views of the Five Sisters and Loch Duich.

On the descent towards Glenelg I took the road signposted Moyle, and drove into Glen More where I parked on the grass verge just west of the bridge leading to Braeside Farm. Once geared up I crossed this bridge and followed the south bank of the Glenmore River upstream. The path shown on the map was initially indistinct but soon became obvious as it was wet and muddy with cattle use.

The state of the path caused me to abandon my plan to climb Beinn a’Chaoinich via Sron Mhor. Opposite the camp site at Cnoc Fhionn, I crossed the fence and commenced the ascent of the north face of Beinn a’Chaoinich. This was through long wet grassy vegetation which seemed to cover most of the hillside. On the plus side I had improving views towards The Saddle.

The east ridge was reached and I now looked across to the previous day’s Munro. A few animal trails were followed and this led to a dip in the ridge, which was wet and boggy. A fence came in from the south and headed west across the summit area. On arriving in this area I was pleased that the weather was fine with high broken cloud as it was going to be difficult to work out the highest point in an area of bog and knolls.

At the first cairned knoll I stopped for a coffee break, to allow me to study the map and switch on my GPS to check heights. The midges were out, my first encounter with them this year. I figured that I was on the 410 knoll shown on my map but other knolls appeared higher and there were three different areas shown with a 400 metre contour line.

I did a circuit of the summit area, crossing and re-crossing the fence and wandering round the bog taking in the knolls. As well as ensuring I had been at the highest point I had better views of Beinn Sgritheall, Skye and the distant Island of Rum. The GPS showed a few knolls at 410 metres and one knoll to the north at 413 metres. I know this isn’t reliable but I thought the northerly knolls were higher. I later checked another map which showed two 410 knolls on the south side of the summit area. Well at least I satisfied myself that I had been at the highest point. On my wanderings I came across a red deer fawn lying in a dip but by the time I got my camera out it had taken fright and ran off.

The descent was in a north-easterly direction, steep in places and through bracken where I disturbed a couple of red deer hinds. Some rocky outcrops had to be avoided as I headed for Braeside Farm, which was just a few farm buildings with no house. Lower down the ground was wet and boggy and a couple of electric fences had to be crossed. Once beyond the farm it was a short walk back to my car.

Photos taken on walk.

Triuirebheinn and Beinn Ruigh Choinnich, South Uist.

2011-06-24T10:38:00.000-07:00

Beinn Ruigh Choinnich

Triuirebheinn and Beinn Ruigh Choinnich, South Uist. Section 24C.
Height 357 metres/276 metres. Map – OS Landranger 31.
Climbed - 9 June 2011. Time taken – 4 hours.
Distance – 9 kilometres. Ascent – 570 metres.
Trip Report Deatails:

It was my final day on South Uist and I had to decide which of the five remaining Marilyns to climb. I settled for Triuirebheinn and Beinn Ruigh Choinnich, as the starting point, Lochboisdale, was only a few miles east of Dalabrog, where I was staying. On studying the map the main obstacle appeared to be the crossing of the outflow of Loch a’Bharp, but the map showed three different crossing points, if they still existed.

At Lasgair, part of the village of Lochboisdale, I looked for the access road to the bridge at Oratobht. However it appeared a house had been built there so rather than wander through a garden I opted to check out the route further north. It led passed a couple of houses to a fishing hut on the south side of the river. A concrete foot causeway gave access to the opposite bank where I followed a muddy track downstream to Oratobht where I found the bridge there still in position.

I continued along the riverside, following some animal tracks, until I reached the outflow from Loch nan Smalag. I walked up the side of this outflow but it was hard going through some deep heather. Some ponies were feeding nearby. An old water treatment works was reached and thereafter the underfoot conditions improved slightly as I headed to and along the north side of Loch nan Smalag.

Beyond the loch the ground steepened as I worked my way uphill through grass and heather, avoiding several rocky outcrops. There was a strong cold north-westerly wind blowing so I opted to stay on the south and east sides of Triuirebheinn before climbing to the summit cairn. It was surprisingly cold and windy there so after taking a few photographs I found some shelter for a coffee break and put on my down gilet.

The descent of the south face of Triuirebheinn to the Bealach an Easain was also quite rocky with heather and bracken to contend with. There was similar terrain and vegetation on the ascent of Beinn Ruigh Choinnich. The summit of this Marilyn had several cairns so I visited the higher ones. There were excellent views out over Loch Boisdale to the Sea of the Hebrides and to the ferry port of Lochboisdale and the many lochs and lochans stretching as far as the west coast of South Uist.

I descended the west ridge of Beinn Ruigh Choinnich, which was initially a bit rocky. Lower down the terrain was rather awkward to cross so progress was slow but I now had close up views of Lochboisdale, just across its loch. Eventually I reached the outflow from Loch nan Smalag and returned to the start by the outward route.

Photos taken on walk.

Beinn Mhor, Ben Corodale and Hecla, South Uist.

2011-06-22T07:18:00.000-07:00

Hecla and Ben Corodale

Beinn Mhor, Ben Corodale and Hecla, South Uist. Section 24C.

Height 620metres, 527 metres and 606 metres.
Map – OS Landranger 22.
Climbed - 8 June 2011. Time taken – 8.75 hours.
Distance – 21 kilometres. Ascent – 1210 metres.
Trip Report Details:

I climbed the Graham, Beinn Mhor a few years ago on a day trip from Harris but due to ferry timings it wasn’t possible to include the Sub 2000 Marilyns, Ben Corodale and Hecla, one of Ralph Storer’s 100 Best Routes on Scottish Mountains. On this second visit I was hoping to rectify the matter.

The proposed starting point was just north of Loch Dobhrain on the A865, the road through the Uists and Benbecula. It was single track at this point making parking difficult so we left the car on the access road to Tobha Beag, after consulting the owner of the house opposite. We walked back along the main road and up the vehicle track which by-passed a croft where large polytunnels had been constructed.

Initially good progress was made but it was short lived. When we reached the end of the track the route became a faint, wet and boggy path and was no longer heading in the correct direction. We left it and made our way across more wet and boggy ground, and around some small lochans, searching for the driest areas to place our boots. A couple of Golden Plovers were perturbed by our presence. Once we gained a bit of height, the ground steepened and the underfoot conditions improved. Occasionally we would follow some paths until they were lost in the vegetation.

On reaching the Bealach Carra Dhomhnuill Ghuirm we took a break with views to the west coast of South Uist and north towards Benbecula. Five guys who had been following us passed nearby. After our break we continued the ascent of Beinn Mhor as the cloud lowered and engulfed the ridge, which was rather disappointing. Steady progress was made and we reached the North Top where the ridge narrowed considerably. However there was no problem as paths ran along the top of the ridge or on either side.

The cloud began to break up and we could now see the five guys on the summit. We stopped and spoke to them as they returned along the north ridge. The path passed below the west face of the top before swinging round to the summit trig point, which was surrounded by boulders, and where we had broken views of Loch Aineort.

We took a stroll out to the cairn on Beinn Mhor’s south-east ridge, which appeared higher although the map showed it at least ten metres lower. From the cairn we had more views of Loch Aineort and the hills to the south. We returned to the north ridge where we met an older couple who weren’t sure of their location or if they were on the right hill.

At a suitable point on the north ridge we commenced the rather steep and initially grassy descent towards the Bealach Sheiliosdail. Lower down minor diversions were made to avoid rocky drops. Once at the bealach we had a late lunch and studied the next section of the route to Ben Corodale.

The direct route was rather steep and rocky so we headed right and made a not too difficult ascent by zig zagging our way through the rocks and onto the grassy slopes of the south-east ridge of Ben Corodale where we disturbed more Golden Plovers. It was then an easy ascent to the summit cairn where we had views of the east coast of South Uist and out to the Sea of the Hebrides.

The north face of Ben Corodale was a rock face so we opted to return south for a hundred metres or so until we located a suitable route round its west face before making an easy descent to the bealach with Hecla where the ground was rougher with several dips. Next was the ascent of Hecla. It was a steady climb with lots of exposed rock to walk round to gain the west ridge where the walking was easier. The ridge did narrow and the final section was rocky but again there were no problems except the low cloud which obstructed our view. While at the summit cairn the cloud broke briefly and we saw out towards the Sea of the Hebrides.

It was now time to return to the car. Initially this was back along the west ridge until it started to change direction. We continued west, left the ridge, and descended across a mixture of vegetation with the intention of keeping to the south of Loch Airigh Amhlaidh and the Abhainn Rog. Some red deer were spotted here. The gradient eased and the walking became awkward as we crossed rough ground with a mixture of wet and boggy vegetation. This entailed a few diversions and stream crossings but we made progress, albeit slow, until near the croft we passed earlier in the morning. It became almost impossible, due to the long vegetation and areas of water, to continue so we cut across to the croft and returned to the car by the track used earlier that day. We reached the car just as the rain started and set in for the evening.

Photos taken on walk.

Easaval, South Uist.

2011-06-19T04:08:00.000-07:00

Easaval

Easaval, South Uist. Section 24C.
Height – 243 metres. Map – OS Landranger 31.
Climbed - 7 June 2011. Time taken – 2.25 hours.
Distance – 6 kilometres. Ascent – 260 metres.
Trip Report Details:

After climbing Ben Scrien, on the Island of Eriskay, we drove across the causeway and into South Uist before heading for the hamlet of Cille Bhrighde where we had planned to commence the ascent of Easaval.

East of Cille Bhrighde, at NF758141, we parked on the grass, west of the historical walled kitchen garden, An Garradh Mor and walked up the tarred road which later became a grassy track and led to a gate in the fence. Beyond this gate we followed animal tracks east through a mixture of bracken, rocks and heather. There were also some old metal fence posts but we soon left this route and commenced the ascent of Easaval.

The brief drier spell of weather had changed to some light showers as we made our way onto Coire Bheinn and the south west ridge of Easaval. There were lots of areas of rock, some we used to our advantage and others we avoided. The rain became heavier and we were engulfed in low cloud but fortunately both were short lived and the cloud lifted above our hill.

The summit area was a mass of peat hags and some rocks so we did some meandering to reach the summit cairn which the map showed was to the north. We had views of Lochboisdale and the masses of inland and sea lochs that are part of South Uist. The summit area had numerous cairns so to satisfy myself that I had been at the top we took in the higher ones. The southerly cairn gave views of the Islands of Eriskay and Barra where we had travelled from earlier that day.

Once we had completed a circuit of the cairns we returned by the ascent route.

The Gaelic name for this hill and what is shown on the map is Easabhal.

Photos taken on walk.

Ben Scrien, Island of Eriskay.

2011-06-18T03:24:00.000-07:00

Ben Scrien

Ben Scrien, Island of Eriskay. Section 24C.
Height – 185 metres. Map – OS Landranger 31.
Climbed - 7 June 2011. Time taken – 1 hour.
Distance – 2.5 kilometres. Ascent – 165 metres.
Trip Report Details:

It was wet in Castlebay and the plan to get the early morning ferry to Eriskay was abandoned for a more relaxed and later start. On arrival at the ferry terminal in Ardmhor it appeared that the rain was clearing with brighter skies to the north, across the Uists. The crossing, which took forty minutes, was followed by a short drive uphill to Coilleag where we located a parking area.

We crossed the road and clambered through some rocks before heading onto Ben Scrien’s south-west ridge. There were lots of dips in the ridge some containing small pools of water or bog so there was a bit of meandering required to avoid them. Three walkers were spotted approaching from the south and there appeared to be a chap on the summit.

A gate in the fence was reached before grassy rakes were followed through the rocks taking us close to the trig point. On reaching the summit we had reasonable views of the Island of Eriskay and the causeway leading to South Uist, our next destination.

The return was by the ascent route although lower down we avoided some of the dips and joined the road through Eriskay slightly north of the starting point followed by a brief road walk back to the car.

The map shows the Gaelic name for this hill which is Beinn Sciathan.

Photos taken on walk.

Heaval, Island of Barra.

2011-06-17T09:28:00.000-07:00

Heaval

Heaval, Island of Barra. Section 24D.
Height – 383 metres. Map – OS Landranger 31.
Climbed - 6 June 2011. Time taken – 1.25 hours.
Distance – 3.5 kilometres. Ascent – 300 metres.
Trip Report Details:

The sunny morning had been replaced by some light rain with cloud engulfing the summit of Heaval. I was dropped off at the high point on the A888, between Breibhig and Castlebay, where a new car park and picnic area had been constructed.

I crossed the main road and passed through a small gate but the area beyond was rather wet and boggy so I walked along the edge of a fence until the conditions improved. On crossing the fence I commenced the ascent of Heaval following several grassy rakes.

The cloud continued to lower and as height was gained I found traces of muddy paths some of which I followed. The ground steepened before I reached the south-west ridge of Heaval then an easy walk took me to the summit trig point. It appeared that a rock to the north-west was slightly higher than the base of the trig point so I decreed the rock was the highest point of Heaval.

Due to the low cloud there was little point in hanging around at the summit so initially I descended by my ascent route before, once out of the cloud, aiming for the area of Gleann in Castlebay. The ground was fairly steep in sections with a few rocky outcrops. Lower down there were some tussocky ground to cross before I reached the old track that led from my starting point to Gleann. It was then only a short walk to my accommodation in Castlebay.

The map shows the Gaelic name for this hill which is Sheabhal.

Photos taken on walk.

Ben Cliad, Island of Barra.

2011-06-17T01:14:00.000-07:00

Ben Cliad

Ben Cliad, Island of Barra. Section 24D.
Height 206 metres. Map – OS Landranger 31.
Climbed - 6 June 2011. Time taken – 1 hour.
Distance – 2.25 kilometres. Ascent – 175 metres.

We headed to the north-west corner of the Island of Barra for our next Sub 2000 Marilyn, Ben Cliad. Ascent options were either from the south or west with the southerly approach having the advantage of a higher starting point. However we opted to climb the west face.

A parking spot was found south of the telephone kiosk and cattle grid between Grein and Cliaid before we made a slight descent across grassy pastures towards the foot of the hill. We hadn’t gone far when we came to an area of smelly bog which I had no intention of trying to cross. The decision was to head north which involved crossing a fence topped with barbed wire and walking along the edge of a field containing sheep and lambs. Once beyond the worst of the bog we re-crossed the fence and commenced the ascent of Ben Cliad.

The earlier fine and sunny weather was replaced by cloud but it was still quite warm as we ascended the gully to the north passing a couple of ponies and their foals. Higher up the heathery terrain had been burnt in places and I spotted a couple of golf balls, which had been singed by the fire. The local golf course was away to the west so I presumed the balls had been picked up by birds and dropped on the hillside.

On approaching the top there was a couple of spots of rain and a rabbit disappeared down its summit burrow. The top was marked by a few stones and while there we spotted a plane taking off from the nearby airport, the runway being part of the local beach.

The return was by the ascent route although once over the fence and to avoid the bog we crossed the field and passed through a couple of gates to reach the road north of the telephone kiosk and cattle grid.

The map shows the Gaelic name for this hill which is Beinn Chliaid.

Photos taken on walk.

Ben Tangaval, Island of Barra.

2011-06-16T02:52:00.000-07:00

Ben Tangaval

Ben Tangaval, Island of Barra. Section 24D.
Height – 332 metres. Map – OS Landranger 31.
Climbed - 6 June 2011. Time taken – 1.5 hours.
Distance – 4 kilometres, Ascent – 325 metres.
Trip Report Details:

On returning from the Island of Vatersay we left the car in the parking area beside the war memorial located on the high point between Castlebay and the Causeway to Vatersay, south of Nasg.

We crossed the road, a ditch and then a fence topped with barbed wire, which I never find easy. Thereafter some wet rough ground was crossed before we came to another fence with barbed wire. Once across it we were on the open hillside with views back to Castlebay and the surrounding sea, Bagh a’Chaisteill, the same name as the village in Gaelic.

The ground was a bit drier as height was gained and we reached the 244 knoll before a slight descent to the Bealach a’Mhaim. Climbing slightly to the east of the summit of Ben Tangaval gave us good views of the beach beside Tangasdal on the west coast of Barra. After a few photographs we climbed to the summit trig point where there were more great views of Barra, the islands to the south and to the Uists in the north.

The return was by the upward route.

Ben Tangaval is shown on several maps as Beinn Tangabhal, its Gaelic name.

Photos taken on walk.

Heishival Mor, Island of Vatersay.

2011-06-15T01:04:00.000-07:00

Heishival Mor

Heishival Mor, Island of Vatersay. Section 24D.
Height – 190 metres. Map – OS Landranger 31.
Climbed - 6 June 2011. Time taken – 1.75 hours.
Distance – 4 kilometres. Ascent – 230 metres.
Trip Report Details:

The previous afternoon we left Oban on the Cal Mac ferry for the four hour fifty minutes sail to Castlebay on the Island of Barra. Unfortunately there was some rain and low cloud so there was little in the way of any decent views on the crossing.

However the next morning was lovely and sunny as we made our way across the causeway linking Barra with the Island of Vatersay. Rather than just make a direct and quick ascent from near Caolas in the north we drove round to the east side of the hill and found a parking area just south of the Uidh junction.

The ascent of the east ridge of Heishival Beag was over a mixture of grass and heather, which was wet in places after some overnight rain. Boulders and slab rock made up the rest of the terrain. It was an easy climb and as height was gained, there were some superb views of the nearby islands including Sandray, Pabbay and Mingulay and the various blues of the sea and bays.

The cairn on Heishival Beag was reached followed by a slight dip in the ridge before the final short ascent to the trig point on Heishival Mor. To the west was the Atlantic Ocean with the next land mass being America. From these two tops we were able to view most of Vatersay.

It was too nice a day just to turn around and head back to the car so we took a break taking in these awesome views before returning by the ascent route.

Photos taken on walk.

Carn na Dubh Choille, Strathgarve.

2011-06-03T07:26:00.000-07:00

Carn na Dubh Choille

Carn na Dubh Choille, Strathgarve, Ross-shire. Section 14B.
Height – 479 metres. Map – OS Landranger – 20.
Climbed - 30 May 2011. Time taken – 3.75 hours.
Distance – 12 kilometres. Ascent – 500 metres.
Trip Report Details:

My plan was to climb the Sub 2000 Marilyn, Carn na Dubh Choille, from the bridge east of Inchbae Lodge, on the A835 Garve to Ullapool Road, but on my arrival I discovered the bridge no longer existed, although apparently it will be reinstated next year. On studying my map I noted a path, an old drover’s road, ran from Little Garve through to Aultguish, although it is not shown on all the maps I have examined.

I parked on the grass verge, at the western access road to Little Garve, and walked back along the main road. The starting point for the Drovers Road was closer than expected due to road alignment. This led to a grassy path which ran above the north embankment of the A835 to the track shown on my map. A couple of fallen trees blocked this track but were easily crossed before I reached a crossroads junction, which was signposted. My route, which was marked Drovers Path, crossed the vehicle track and continued through the forest, some sections of which had been harvested.

Again a couple of trees blocked the path before I emerged into a gap between forests where the track was rather wet with lots of running water. It improved when I entered the second forested area but this change was short lived. Beyond a track on the left, the route degenerated into large areas of water and marsh as it descended slightly to the northern edge of the forest.

On clearing the trees I followed the path as it past to the west of Lochan nam Breac and when the path changed direction I commenced the ascent of Carn na Duibh Choille. Initially it was over heather and grasses but higher up the ground was softer and wet with some tussoky grass. It was here that a Meadow Pipit flew its nest revealing four eggs.

The top section of the hill was a bit rocky but it made for easier walking. The trig point was reached with views up Loch Glascarnoch and across to Ben Wyvis. The weather was an improvement compared to the previous couple of days with only the odd shower so I had an early lunch taking in the surrounding views. I visited the north top before returning by the ascent route and heading home.

Photos taken on walk.

Beinn Eilideach, Wester Ross.

2011-06-01T09:40:00.000-07:00

Beinn Eilideach

Beinn Eilideach, Ullapool, Wester Ross. Section 15A.
Height – 559 metres. Map – OS Landranger 20.
Climbed - 29 May 2011. Time taken – 2.25 hours.
Distance – 6 kilometres. Ascent – 530 metres.
Trip Report Details:

The weather forecast was for heavy rain with strong winds but on rising, and during breakfast at Forest Way Bunkhouse, Braemore, there was little evidence of any wind although it was showery. I had planned to climb the HuMP, Meall Cruaidh in Srath Nimhe but with conditions better than forecasted I decided to climb this Sub 2000 Marilyn instead.

Parking facilities at the start of this walk, a double bend near Leckmelm Farm, on the A835 Ullapool Road was non existent so I parked on the verge at GR NH164908 although in hindsight it probably wasn’t the safest spot. Here there was a Walkers Welcome notice and a directional sign to a viewpoint 1 mile.

I passed through a gate and soon came to another one, again with a viewpoint sign. Just beyond this gate a caravan was partially concealed in the woods with a couple of bikes outside so I presumed it was occupied by someone who kept a low profile. The track led through a forest with rhododendron still in flower.

On emerging into a wide fire break the track, now lined with flowering gorse bushes, zig zagged uphill. Cattle had obviously grazed here but there was no sign of them. Above the tree line I reached a gate in the deer fence and a sign for the viewpoint which was marked by a large rock with views across Loch Broom to the western hills. A reasonable viewpoint on a fine day but today in rain and cloud it wasn’t very spectacular.

I passed through a wicket gate in the deer fence and followed the track for a few more metres before leaving it and heading for Beinn Eilideach over a mixture of heather, bracken and grasses. The ground was a bit wet in places as the frequent showers continued. The gradient eased and I could see the HuMP I had planned to climb and was wondering whether to include it in this outing when the cloud lowered and engulfed me for a few moments.

A band of rocks was reached and I followed it to what appeared to be the highest point, marked by a rock. I could see the outline of Loch Achall and Meall Liath Choire, a Sub 2000 Marilyn, I had climbed earlier that month. I then walked over to the cairn surrounding the trig point where I had a coffee waiting for the cloud to lift. It was rather windy and the rain became quite heavy. A Golden Plover was rather upset by my presence.

With no improvement in the weather I returned to my car by the upward route although the rain did ease and it was less windy once I lost a bit of height.

On returning home I studied the 1:25000 map and noted that the highest point of Beinn Eildeach, was as suspected, east of the cairn and trig point at 559 metres with the trig point a metre lower.

Photos taken on walk.

Meall Glac Tigh fail, Wester Ross.

2011-05-31T09:19:00.000-07:00

Meall Glac Tigh-fail

Meall Glac Tigh-fail, Inverbroom, Wester Ross. Section 14A.
Height – 521 metres. Map – OS Landranger 20.
Climbed - 28 May 2011. Time taken – 2.75 hours.
Distance – 7 kilometres. Ascent – 520 metres.
Trip Report Details:

I was staying at Forest Way Bunkhouse, Braemore, (near Ullapool) so it was only a short drive to Inverbroom, at the south end of Loch Broom. I obtained permission to park beside the houses at Croftown before walking south along the tarred road to Auchlunachan.

At this house I walked passed the north side of the property and its outbuildings onto an overgrown track which led to a rather fancy gate. Beyond this gate the now mainly stony track climbed steadily above the Alltan Odhar. The track split higher up and I guess the higher route led to Sron Sgaile. However I followed the track that continued above the stream until it reached and crossed this burn.

After the crossing I was expecting to locate a path heading north but there was no trace of it so I’m presuming it no longer exists. I therefore headed towards Meall Glac Tigh-fail crossing a couple of streams en-route. The ground was a bit wet with some pools of water, which wasn’t unexpected after the recent rainfall.

In the dip between the east top, Carn Lon nan Gobhar and Meall Glac Tigh-fail I disturbed a herd of deer who were probably sheltering there from the strong winds. Beyond this dip a short steeper climb took me to the summit cairn of Meall Glac Tigh-fail. I had some reasonable views despite the cloud floating around the higher summits with some fresh snow visible on An Tellach.

After a cup of coffee sheltering behind a rock I returned to my car by the upward route.

Photos taken on walk.

Hill of Tillymorgan, Aberdeenshire

2011-05-24T00:38:00.000-07:00

Hill of Tillymorgan

Hill of Tillymorgan, Aberdeenshire. Section 21B.
Height – 381 metres. Map – OS Landranger 29.
Climbed - 22 May 2011. Time taken – 1.25 hours.
Distance – 4.5 kilometres. Ascent – 195 metres.
Trip Report Details:

Earlier that morning I climbed the Sub 2000 Marilyn, Hill of Foudland, north of Colpy, so it was only a short drive across the A96 to Kirkton of Culsalmond.

I got permission to park beside the old church and kirkyard before heading north along the track that ran between fields of sheep and lambs. This route led to and through a forest where at the north end it changed direction and headed east. My map didn’t show this as it had the track continuing north. That is no longer the case as that part of the track was overgrown with heather.

It soon became obvious that this easterly track wasn’t going to take me towards the Hill of Tillymorgan. I therefore left this track and crossed some rough ground, where timber had been forested, to a double fence. One was easily crossed as it was old, rusty and partially collapsed while the newer barbed wire fence was a bit more difficult.

Once beyond the fences there appeared to be a trail that led along the edge of the forest and I followed it until the old quarry workings came into view. On reaching the stone, which was used for roofing slate, I walked over it to the summit trig point. The weather had brightened up and I had good views of the Aberdeenshire countryside.

On my descent, which was by the upward route, a small bird flew out of the grass and I spotted its nest which contained four eggs. I took a photograph and think it was a Wheatear’s nest.

Photos taken on walk.

Hill of Foudland, Aberdeenshire.

2011-05-22T13:38:00.000-07:00

Hill of Foudland

Hill of Foudland, Colpy, Aberdeenshire. Section 21B.
Height – 467 metres. Map – OS Landranger 29.
Climbed - 22 May 2011. Time taken – 1.25 hours.
Distance – 5 kilometres. Ascent – 215 metres.
Trip Report Details:

It was a sunny morning when I set off from Aberdeen but as I headed north towards Colpy it began to cloud over, although the base was well above the summits. From Colpy I drove along the tarred road to Jericho then a further kilometre on a rough track which deteriorated the further I went.

Just before an unlocked gate at NJ624336 I parked my car and continued on foot. The track skirted a field containing cows and calves but thankfully the animals kept their distance. It was an easy climb towards another gate where a ‘welcoming’ sign said ‘Foudland Hill Private.’ Beyond this second gate the track followed the edge of a small plantation onto open ground and a couple of telecommunication towers.

Beyond these towers the track was rougher as it continued west across the heather moorland. There was a slight dip before it regained the lost height and passed the summit trig point just to the north. From the summit I had views of Bennachie, Tap o’North, Ben Rinnes and Knock Hill. I also had a look at the nearby old quarry workings where the stone was used for roofing slate.

On my return, which was by the upward route, there were a few spots of rain and some of the cattle were now close to the track but they moved away as I approached.

Photos taken on walk.

Meall an Fhuarain, Cromalt Hills.

2011-05-11T08:18:00.000-07:00

Meall an Fhuarain

Meall an Fhuarain, Cromalt Hills, Sutherland. Section 15A.
Height – 578 metres. Map - OS Landranger 15.
Date climbed - 2 May 2011. Time taken – 5 hours.
Distance – 16 kilometres. Ascent – 570 metres.
Trip Report Details:

Earlier this year I made my first visit to the Cromalt Hills to climb the Sub 2000 Marilyn, Meall Coire an Lochain. Ignoring the snow cover it was fairly hard work with lots of bog and peat hags. I therefore wasn’t looking forward to my return to bag the other Marilyn, Meall an Fhuarain. However after a recent period of dry weather I thought this was my opportunity to avoid some of these problems.

On studying the map the shortest approach appeared to be from Lubcroy on the A837 Ledmore Junction to Oykel Bridge road so I decided this would be my starting point. There was no suitable parking at Lubcroy so I left my vehicle on the verge north of the road bridge where fortunately the single track road was wider.

There was a gate on the west side of the road so I passed through it and followed the north side of the Garbh Allt where there were some animal tracks. I reached an unstable deer fence and spotted a gate higher up. However on reaching this gate I saw that it had collapsed and the gap covered in wire fencing. It took me a while to locate a suitable crossing point but once over the fence I found an old path above the Garbh Allt, which took me through Coire a’Chonachair. A section of this path had collapsed into the stream.

The Garbh Allt and later the Allt Tarsuinn were easily crossed before following deer paths to the south-east corner of a small plantation. The deer obviously gather here as there was lots of exposed peat, which would normally be wet and gooey but today was mainly dry. As I climbed to and over the knoll, Ruith-chnoc, deer ran off but were back in the same area on my return.

On the west side of Ruith-chnoc the ground was tussocky and a bit wet but drier as I made my way onto the south-east ridge of Meall an Fhuarain. Here there were lots of peat hags but walking between them was easy in these dry conditions. There were traces of an ATV track, its route marked by the odd stone, which I occasionally used. As well as peat hags the summit area consisted of some stony areas.

The summit trig point was reached where I had some good views but those to the west were improved when I walked over to a cairn. I saw that the north side of Cul Mor was on fire. This raged for around three days. After lunch at the cairn the return was by the ascent route.

I was pleased to have climbed this Marilyn in these dry conditions as I suspect normally it would be rather wet and boggy.

Photos taken on walk also include some taken later that day on Meall Mor (Ullapool Hill) around sunset.

Meall Liath Choire, Wester Ross.

2011-05-10T07:25:00.000-07:00

Meall Liath Choire

Meall Liath Choire, Rhidorroch, Wester Ross. Section 15A.
Height – 549 metres. Map – OS Landranger – 19 & 20.
Climbed - 1 May 2011. Time taken – 6.5 hours.
Distance – 22.5 kilometres. Ascent – 685 metres.
Trip Report Details:

Firstly I should say that the approach to this hill is probably best done by bike as a large section of the route was on tarred road. It would then be possible to combine Meall Liath Choire with an ascent of the nearby Marilyn, Cnoc Damh. However I’m looking forward to climbing this hill from Duag Bridge.

The start was on the easterly outskirts of Ullapool on the south side of the Ullapool River on the road leading to Morefield Quarry. I parked beside a cattle grid, where a sign warned of authorised vehicles only beyond that point. Permission to park there was granted although I don’t think it was required. With my bike at home, I set off on foot along a dusty track that led to and round quarry workings. The track continued for around a mile to where stone was being extracted and it was near here that a female cyclist passed me going in the opposite direction. A car also passed me headed east but there was no offer of a lift.

Beyond the quarry the track became a tarred road and was in good condition. It crossed the Ullapool River via a bridge before passing below Glastullich, which is a holiday rent, before reaching Loch Achall. The loch stretched for around three kilometres but it was a pleasant walk in the sun with the birds singing. Around half way along the north side of the loch I passed Rhidorroch House, although it couldn’t be seen from the track. The tarred road ended here and from now on it was hardcore with a warning sign of potholes, but most of them had been filled.

After passing the east end of the loch a shepherd and his dog emerged from a Land Rover and went to inspect his sheep and lambs while his female companion drove passed me heading east. Shortly there afterwards a car with four occupants passed going in the opposite direction. They had either come from Cadubh or East Rhidorroch, which are both holiday rentals. The female driving the Land Rover had obviously only gone as far as Cadubh as she soon returned.

On reaching Cadubh I walked passed the west side of the cottage and began the ascent of Meall Liath Choire following the Allt Dail a’Bhraid. Initially there were some ATV tracks but they soon disappeared. Two unnamed lochans and an area of rock were passed where a grouse rose. The summit cairn of Meall Liath Choire was reached with good views in all directions. Away to the south-west the moorland was on fire.

I had my lunch at the summit before descending the west ridge. Here I disturbed some deer before heading towards the Eas a’Chraosain. To the north-east of this waterfall the ground was very soft but I would expect in normal conditions this area to be boggy. I then descended steeply to the east of the waterfall, which was completely dry as a result of the recent fine weather.

I strolled down to the track before making the long walk back to Ullapool.

Photos taken on walk.

An Cabar, Wester Ross.

2011-05-08T01:22:00.000-07:00

An Cabar

An Cabar, Wester Ross. Section 14B.
Height – 558 metres. Map – OS Landranger 20.
Climbed - 30 April 2011. Time taken – 4.5 hours.
Distance – 9 kilometres. Ascent – 485 metres.
Trip Report Details:

I parked in the lay-by, on the A832, Garve to Achnasheen Road around 300 metres west of Strathbran Lodge, and walked back towards the Lodge. The gate in the deer fence, just prior to the grounds of this property was padlocked as was the high westerly gate leading to the Lodge. The alternative was to continue along to the east gate and walk passed the front of the house which I didn’t consider appropriate. I therefore clambered over the wall, crossed a stream and found the track I was interested in.

The track climbed steadily through the forest and beyond a fire break the ground was more open. On leaving the forest the gradient eased and the track wound its way up the west side of the Allt Daraich. It was a pleasant stroll in the sun and a fox, which had been close to the burn, spotted me and ran off across the hillside.

I reached the south end of Loch na Curra, where there was a small boat shed, with views across the loch to the Fannaichs. I crossed the Allt Daraich and made my way onto the west ridge of An Cabar with ever improving views of Loch Fannich, Fionn Bheinn and Beinn nan Raimh as well as the Fannaichs. The undulating ridge was followed and on the final climb to the summit trig point a deer ran across the hill.

The summit trig point was reached although a nearby rock is apparently slightly higher than the base of the man made structure. I found shelter from a strong wind for a bite to eat and lay in the sun for around seventy five minutes. I may even have nodded off for a while.

The return was by the ascent route. There was no trace of the fox but once back in the forest roe deer saw me and continued their barking as they disappeared into the trees.

Photos taken on walk.

Knock of Braemoray, Moray.

2011-04-26T00:18:00.000-07:00

Knock of Braemoray

Knock of Braemoray, Moray. Section 9A.
Height – 456 metres. Map – OS Landranger 27.
Climbed - 18 April 2011. Time taken – 1.5 hours.
Distance – 4 kilometres. Ascent – 180 metres.
Trip Report Details:

It was a sunny morning and I was heading home from a weekend based in Inverness. I decided to stop en-route and climb this Sub 2000 Marilyn which I approached from the south. Just after the Dava junction I thought I could see a track going uphill so parked beside another car at NJ007401. I never saw the occupant of this vehicle on the hill and the car was still there on my return.

I walked through what may have been an old sheep pen and into long heather. This led to a vehicle track which was shown on my map. However it was obviously old and no longer in use as it was in poor condition with sections of moss, pools of water and bog. I spent more time walking along the edge than on the track itself. What I thought was a vehicle track heading uphill was just different coloured vegetation.

Following the track was abandoned for the heather clad hillside. Although there were some deep patches of heather to walk through the ascent wasn’t unpleasant. I crossed an old fence line before making my way towards the summit which was an area of rough ground south-east of and a metre higher than the trig point. I wandered around the summit area for a few minutes to satisfy myself that I had reached the highest point as it was unmarked.

I then made my way over to the trig point with views south to the Cairngorms and north across the Moray Firth to Caithness. It was well worth the effort and I enjoyed a cup of coffee taking in the views.

The descent was more direct but lower down the underfoot conditions were a bit awkward with tussocky grass and a few wet areas.

Photos taken on walk.

Meall na h-Eilrig, Inverness-shire.

2011-04-25T08:54:00.000-07:00

Meall na h-Eilrig

Meall na h-Eilrig, Inverness-shire. Section 12B.
Height – 465 metres. Map – OS Landranger – 26.
Climbed - 17 April 2011. Time taken – 2.25 hours.
Distance – 6.5 kilometres. Ascent – 250 metres.
Trip Report Details:

I had considered climbing this Sub 2000 Marilyn from near Drumnadrochit but as I had just completed an ascent of Carn a’Bhodaich from north of Abriachan I didn’t think it was worth the extra drive and expense. I therefore travelled the few miles to Abriachan Forest, just west of Abriachan and Loch Laide. The car park was busy as was the children’s play area within the forest.

It was sunny as I walked south following a forest vehicle track with piles of cut timber at the side. This route is part of the Great Glen Way and I passed several walkers on this stretch of track. Where the Great Glen Way commenced its descent towards Loch Ness I continued along the vehicle track, through a gate, to Achpopuli Farmhouse.

At the side of the farm building I crossed a gate and entered a field where there were traces of vehicle tracks but they soon disappeared. I descended to what looked like a gate but was in fact just some wood and fencing topped with barbed wire. Once across this obstacle the ground was wet as I followed several grassy rakes working my way through fir trees that seemed to have been planted haphazardly. I managed to avoid most of them and came out on top of a knoll with my first view of my destination.

A slight descent took me over boggy and tussocky grass until I reached some more trees where holes had been dug and were full of water. These holes were hidden by the heather so I was pleased when I was clear of this area and making my final climb to the summit trig point on Meall na h-Eilrig.

There were fine views from the summit and with the sun out it was a good location for lunch. Afterwards I returned roughly by the ascent route looking for easier terrain but to no avail.

Photos taken on walk.

Carn a'Bhodaich, Inverness-shire.

2011-04-22T08:35:00.000-07:00

Carn a'Bhodaich

Carn a’Bhodaich, Inverness-shire. Section 12B.
Height – 501 metres. Map – OS Landranger 26.
Climbed - 17 April 2011. Time taken – 1.75 hours.
Distance – 4.5 kilometres. Ascent – 220 metres.
Trip Report Details:

The day’s plan was to climb a couple of the Sub 2000 Marilyns on the west side of Loch Ness. The first was Carn a’Bhodaich which I decided to approach from the west as the main A82 road along the shore of the loch isn’t the safest place to walk or park. It also had the advantage of starting from around the 300 metres mark rather than near sea level.

I drove north from Abriachan to Ladycairn and parked opposite the farm as the banking there had been levelled. I doubt if it was for the benefit of hill walkers but no one came to object. Once geared up I walked the few metres north to the vehicle track that headed east towards my destination.

The track was obviously little used these days and consisted of several wet and boggy areas. After a few minutes of walking the track entered the forest and its condition deteriorated even further. Concentration was necessary so as not to loose the track as it wound its way through the trees. Despite these conditions it was an interesting stroll listening to all the bird noises.

I soon emerged from the forest and the track continued on a slight gradient up the side of the trees and narrowed. At an obvious bend in the track I left it and climbed through deep heather onto the Carn a’Bhodaich’s West Top where I had some good views on this sunny morning. I walked north-east descending slightly before climbing to Carn a’Bhodaich’s trig point. Here I sheltered from a slight breeze looking out over the Black Isle while I partook of a cuppa.

The return was more direct through some deep heather. I rejoined the track but decided to bypass the section through the forest but found the going rough in places as well as being waterlogged.

Photos taken on walk.

Meall Innis an Loichel, Glen Strathfarrar.

2011-04-21T04:43:00.000-07:00

Meall Innis an Loichel

Meall Innis an Loichel, Glen Strathfarrar, Wester Ross. Section 12B.
Height – 390 metres. Map – OS Landranger 25.
Climbed - 16 April 2011. Time taken – 35 minutes.
Distance – 1 kilometre. Ascent – 125 metres.
Trip Report Details:

Earlier in the day I climbed the Sub 2000 Marilyns, Meallan Odhar Doire nan Gillean and Beinn Dubh an Iaruinn from the Uisge Misgeach Power Station in Gleann Innis an Lochiel. The Sub 2000 Marilyn, Meall Innis an Loichel was on my return route and would involve less than an hour’s walking and wouldn’t justify a separate journey up Glen Strathfarrar.

I parked at the highest point on the road between Loichel Dam and Monar Dam where there was space for a couple of vehicles. From this point I had good views of Loch Monar and Gleann Innis an Loichel so I was looking forward to the views from the summit.

I set off up the west ridge of Meall Innis an Loichel over some wet ground and under a power line. Higher up I took a slight diversion to avoid crags and not long after that I arrived at the summit cairn. As predicted I had good views of the surrounding mountains although I had to walk further east to get a reasonable photograph of Glen Strathfarrar.

The return was by the ascent route and I was back at the car within thirty five minutes.

Photos taken on walk.

Gleann Innis an Loichel, Wester Ross.

2011-04-20T12:37:00.000-07:00

Meallan Odhar Doire nan Gillean

Meallan Odhar Doire nan Gillean and Beinn Dubh an Iaruinn, Gleann Innis an Loichel, Wester Ross. Section 12B.
Height - 601 metres/591 metres. Map – OS Landranger 25.
Climbed - 16 April 2011. Time taken – 4.5 hours.
Distance – 11 kilometres. Ascent – 750 metres.
Trip Report Details:

It was just after 9am when I arrived at the locked gate at Inchmore and on gaining access I had a pleasant drive up Glen Strathfarrar to Loch Monar. I crossed the Monar Dam and the narrower Loichel Dam before entering Gleann Innis an Loichel where I got the feeling of remoteness. At the end of this tarred road, beside the Uisge Misgeach Power Station, there was a large area of waste ground where I left my car. Nearby, water was being forced from a pipe causing an extensive area of spray.

I walked west up the glen following a vehicle track and after a kilometre came to a small dam and inlet where wooden slats aided the crossing of pools of water. I continued up the track on the north side of the Allt Doire nan Gillean passing a waterfall. When the track began to level out I commenced the ascent of Meallan Odhar Doire nan Gillean.

It was a steady but reasonable climb initially over some wet vegetation. Higher up a few rocks had to be avoided before I reached the east ridge where it was cold and windy. It was then an easy walk to the summit rock on Meallan Odhar Doire nan Gillean where I took a break sheltering behind the rock The hills to the north were cloud covered while those to the south just had a topping of cloud.

Afterwards I walked north to Meallan Odhar but had to stop to put on more gear due to the cold wind. On reaching this summit I descended its north-east ridge and thankfully out of the wind. Here some deer were sheltering but they quickly ran off. The descent was fairly steep with some rough walking and at the col with Beinn Dubh it was wet and boggy. Once across this area an easy climb took me to the top of Beinn Dubh. The mountains on the other side of Loch Monar were now more visible as the cloud base had lifted slightly.

From Beinn Dubh I followed the undulating ridge to the Weat Top of Beinn Dubh an Iaruinn where I was able to look down into Gleann Innis an Loichel and my starting point. The undulations continued as I walked north-east to the summit of Beinn Dubh an Iaruinn which is 3 metres higher than its West Top. Here I found some shelter for my lunch with views of the Monar Dam and Meall Innis an Loichel which I was to climb later that day.

After lunch I returned along the south west ridge before descending steeply, avoiding some crags, to my car.

Photos taken on walk.

Meikle Bin, Stirlingshire.

2011-04-15T10:12:00.000-07:00

Meikle Bin

Meikle Bin, Stirlingshire. Section 26.
Height – 570 metres. Map – OS Landranger 57.
Climbed - 9 April 2011. Time taken – 2.5 hours.
Distance – 10 kilometres. Ascent – 420 metres.
Trip Report Details:

I was looking for a short walk as later that day the plan was to spend the night under the stars in the Southern Highlands. This Sub 2000 Marilyn appeared to fit my criteria.

I arrived at the car park on the B818 Fintry to Denny Road opposite Todholes Farm to find several vehicles already parked there. It wasn’t something I expected as on most Sub 2000 hills I never meet or see anyone.

Once geared up I set off south along the vehicle track which took me to the west end of the Carron Water Reservoir. The track then headed through the forest before returning towards the reservoir and continuing to the bridge over the River Carron. Here I met the first group of walkers.

Beyond the river I came to a ‘T’ junction and followed the right track which took me away from the reservoir and I gradually gained some height. A staggered crossroads junction was next. It was cairned so I took the second right and commenced a steeper but easy climb through the forest. Here I passed more walkers and a couple who were on their descent.

I was on the lookout for a grassy firebreak and came to a muddy path, obviously mistakenly used by walkers, which quickly came to an end amongst the trees. I returned to the track and a short distance south found the firebreak. A muddy path led through the trees and the ground became rather wet and boggy as it emerged onto the open hillside. Here I passed another couple.

It was a steady climb up the grassy north-west ridge which led to Meikle Bin’s summit trig point. Some of the earlier low cloud had lifted from the north although the views were hazy. Unfortunately there were no distant views to the south.

After a cup of coffee I returned by the ascent route with a slight diversion at the summit to look at the remains of a crashed aircraft.

Photos taken on walk.

Carleatheran, Gargunnock Hills.

2011-04-13T12:35:00.000-07:00

Carleatheran

Carleatheran, Gargunnock Hills. Section 26.
Height - 485 metres. Map – OS Landranger 57.
Climbed - 3 April 2011. Time taken – 3 hours.
Distance – 8.5 kilometres. Ascent – 470 metres.
Trip Report Details:

The Sub 2000 Marilyn, Carleatheran, is part of the Gargunnock Hills, so for this ascent I parked in the village of Gargunnock, just south of the A811 Stirling to Drymen Road. Thereafter I walked to the east end of the village and followed a tarred road south to a gate, the first of several. Beyond this gate I passed a house with two male and several female peacocks wandering through the garden.

After passing through a further two gates I came to a water treatment works and beyond that a short area of forest. At the south edge of this forest and a fourth gate (if I have counted correctly) a ‘T’ junction was reached where I took a right turn. This led to the crossing of a burn below a small waterfall.

Beyond the burn I headed uphill following marker posts which led through a gap in a stone dyke and some gorse bushes. The path appeared to continue west but I left it to visit the waterfall, Downie’s Leap. Here a St Andrew’s cross flag had been tied to a nearby tree.

I took a couple of photographs then walked along the north side of a barbed wire fence until I saw a break in the crags. The fence was awkward to cross not just because of the barbed wire but the wooden fence posts weren’t very stable. Once over this fence and through a gap in an old stone dyke, I followed animal tracks as I worked my way through these crags.

I now had views north across the Carse of Stirling to Callander and east to the Wallace Monument. More animal tracks were followed over some wet ground until I reached a fence which led south to a gate. However vehicles had made the area around the gate a quagmire so I crossed the fence instead. Once clear of the bog an All Terrain Vehicle track, occasionally wet and boggy, was followed to the summit cairn and trig point of Carleatheran. As well as the views mentioned above I could see Stronend, which I climbed earlier in the year, and Earlsburn Reservoirs with its nearby wind turbines.

Once I had a coffee break I returned roughly by the same route. The occasional showers became more frequent some of hail.

Photos taken on walk.

Turin Hill, Angus.

2011-04-07T04:18:00.000-07:00

Turin Hill

Turin Hill, Angus. Section 26.

Height – 252 metres. Map – OS Landranger – 54.

Climbed - 27 March 2011. Time taken – 1 hour.

Distance – 4 kilometres. Ascent – 105 metres.

Trip Report Details:

I took a slight diversion on my return home from climbing the Sub 2000 Marilyns, Crock and Meall Mor to enable me to pop up Turin Hill. Instead of returning north on the A90 I drove through Forfar and took the B9134 towards Brechin before turning into the access road for Fordmouth Farm. The only parking I could find, on what appeared to be a public road, was on the verge.

I set off south along a track passed the farm and the property at Back of Turin Hill. After passing through a couple of gates I entered a field of cattle. As well as the usual barbed wire fences there were electric fences, some with twin wires and others set back making any crossing difficult.

A gate at the top of the field led to the west side of the March Wood, which also had an electric fence surrounding it. At the top end of this strip of tress I crossed a couple of gates and made my final ascent of Turin Hill. There was lots of evidence on the ground that cattle frequent this area.

I crossed a stone dyke via a wooden stile to reach the summit cairn where I had views of Forfar, Rescobie Loch and the Angus Hills. I re-crossed the dyke by another stile and visited the trig point before returning by the ascent route. I did consider a more direct descent but a barbed wire topped fence with electric wires on either side changed my mind.

Photos taken on walk.

Meall Mor, Perthshire.

2011-04-06T03:54:00.000-07:00

Meall Mor

Meall Mor, Perthshire.

Height – 551 metres. Map – OS Landranger 43.

Climbed - 27 March 2011. Time taken – 1 hour.

Distance – 3 kilometres. Ascent – 185 metres.

Trip Report Details:

Earlier in the day I was on the nearby Sub 2000 Marilyn, Crock, so it was only a short drive west to the single track Brewlands Bridge to Blacklunans Road. I parked at the high point on this road, the boundary between Angus and Perthshire, where a vehicle track headed south.

I set off along the track on a steady gradient but after around five minutes I was surprised to find a wide clearance between two areas of forest as this wasn't shown on my map. I didn't have a plan for escaping from the forest so I decided to use this heather covered clearance. Initially there were traces of animal tracks but higher up they were fainter as the ground steepened.

A couple of stone dykes and fences were crossed before the ground became a bit rocky. Beyond these rocks I crossed the county boundary marked by a stone dyke and followed it south-east round a few snow patches to the summit cairn. Here I had extensive views of the Perthshire and Angus countryside.

There was now a cool breeze so I sheltered behind the stone dyke for lunch before returning by the upward route.

The summit of Meall Mor is on the county boundary but I have shown it as in Perthshire as the majority of the walk was in this county.

That completes Region 7 (Braemar to Montrose) of The Relative Hills of Britain.

Photos taken on walk.

Crock, Angus.

2011-04-05T08:05:00.000-07:00

Crock

Crock, Angus. Section 7.

Height – 554 metres. Map – OS Landranger 44.

Climbed - 27 March 2011. Time taken – 2.75 hours.

Distance – 11.5 kilometres. Ascent – 335 metres.

Trip Report Details:

Looking at the map for this Sub 2000 Marilyn I noted that it was surrounded by forest and that none of the tracks shown led to the clearance above the tree line, where the summit was located. I observed Crock's east side when I climbed the nearby Hare Cairn but the felled timber would have made for some difficult walking. I decided to make a westerly approach but beforehand I checked out the 'Scottish Hills' forum where I found some valuable information.

I parked in the car park beside Freuchies, which is located just off the B951 east of Kirkton of Glenisla. It was a lovely sunny morning when I set off along the forest track which rose above the outflow from Loch Shandra. This track is part of the 'Right of Way' to Glens Prosen and Clova via the Kilbo Path. On reaching the loch the track opened out to the west with a view of Mount Blair and its surrounding hills. It then climbed steadily to the house at Tulloch where the occupants have grand westerly views. Just beyond this dwelling the main track re-entered the forest and after around a kilometre I reached an area where the trees had been harvested.

My map showed a path heading off east and I located a grassy track at the north end of the clearing. The track obviously wasn't in regular use but it made for an easy stroll to the col between Crock and Craigie Law where I had views of the Angus Munros, Driesh and Mayar.

It was here I expected to encounter problems getting through the forest but as mentioned on the Scottish Hills thread there were no difficulties. A track entered a dark tunnel of trees with a layer of pine needles covering the route. A fallen tree had been cleared and the shell from my first bird's egg of the year was lying on the track. The gradient increased slightly as I progressed through this tunnel. Daylight could be seen in the distance as the track became wet and marshy with some lying snow.

On emerging from the forest it was an easy walk over short heathery ground to the summit cairn where I had extensive views of the surrounding hills and countryside. Once I had a coffee break I returned to the start by the outward route.

Photos taken on walk.

Strathfinella Hill, Kincardineshire.

2011-03-31T04:10:00.000-07:00

Summit Strathfinella Hill

Strathfinella Hill, Kincardineshire. Section 7.
Height – 414 metres. Map – OS Landranger 45.
Climbed - 20 March 2011. Time taken – 2 hours.
Distance – 7.5 kilometres. Ascent – 310 metres.
Trip Report Details:

On looking at the map for this Sub 2000 Marilyn I discovered that the hill was covered in trees and getting to the summit wasn’t going to be easy despite various tracks. From experience of forest tracks they don’t always exist or new ones have been added. A GPS, well my one, will not work in forested areas.

I decided to start from Glen of Drumtochty, which runs between the Clattering Brig and Auchenblae. I managed to get my car off the road at the beginning of an old track on the south side of the road. I set off up this track which soon narrowed before it joined a wide forest track that I could have used if I had parked further east.

The track passed under an electricity transmission line and at a junction of tracks I took the left fork. On this stretch of track it was one the few occasions I had a view as the track ran close to some fields. Unfortunately it was misty but I could identify the village of Auchenblae.

At the next junction I took a right turn and soon afterwards came to a third junction where I headed left. (I later discovered this was where I went wrong. I should have gone right and after a few metres taken a left up a path not marked on my map but shown on a 1:25000 map.) I continued along this left hand track looking for the path marked on my map which would take me close to the summit of Black Hill. However I never found it.

I came to a wide new track that headed right and climbed steadily through the forest for well over a kilometre. Despite the mist I was aware that I was on the wrong side of Black Hill. The track came to an end but the forest was impossible to penetrate. I therefore retraced my steps for a hundred metres or so until I found a way through the mature fir trees and over some fallen timber.

This took me onto the path I had planned to use so I followed it west. There were some patches of snow and visibility was impaired by mist although that made little difference as I couldn’t see very far anyway for the trees. I found a small path that went off to my right and walked along it searching for the trig point. I was pleased to locate it off to my left and hidden under a fir tree.

I returned initially by the ascent route but where I emerged from the fir trees I continued down the path, which was wet and boggy in places and blocked by a fallen tree. As this path wasn’t on my map I was interested to discover where it led. It emerged as indicated above and I followed the outward route back to my car.

Photos taken on walk.

Hill of Garvock, Kincardineshire.

2011-03-29T10:13:00.000-07:00

Hill of Garvock

Hill of Garvock, Laurencekirk. Section 7.
Height -277 metres. Map – OS Landranger – 45.
Climbed - 20 March 2011. Time taken – 1 hour.
Distance – 4 kilometres. Ascent – 60 metres.
Trip Report Details:

The start for this walk was the B9120, east of Laurencekirk, at the highest point on the road. Here there was a large parking and picnic area looking across The Howe of Mearns to the west and the North Sea to the east. Unfortunately it was rather misty so I didn’t get the best of views.

I set off through a gate and headed south-west, on an easy gradient, across a field following the edge of a fence and a separate single strand electric fence. These fences later turned east but I continued in the same direction staying on the crest of the hill.

There were in fact four fields to cross but I got the impression that walkers weren’t welcome, at least on this route. I’ve already mentioned the electric fence but there was a second, which wasn’t in use, beside a cattle grid. Before that I came to a double fence where a couple of old gates were tidied down with barbed wire. There was also a strand of barbed wire along the top of the gate and fence. This meant for a slightly difficult fence crossing.

Once clear of these obstacles it was an easy stroll to the summit trig point and the Tower of Johnston. I was surprised to find the tower door open so I climbed the spiral stone steps to the top. There were a couple of steps missing or worn away which did make it awkward on the descent. Unfortunately as mentioned earlier the views were a bit hazy but it would be a grand viewpoint on a clear day.

I returned by the ascent route re-crossing the obstacles.

Photos taken on walk.

Meall Coire an Lochain, Cromalt Hills.

2011-03-28T14:20:00.000-07:00

Meall Coire an Lochain

Meall Coire an Lochain, Cromalt Hills. Section 15A.
Height – 517 metres. Map – OS Landranger – 15.
Climbed - 12 March 2011. Time taken – 4.5 hours.
Distance – 11 kilometres. Ascent – 575 metres.
Trip Report Details:

This was my last day in the North-West Highlands and with a reasonable forecast until later in the day I set off for the Cromalt Hills, an area I hadn’t walked in before. There are two Sub 2000 Marilyns on this range, one at either end but are around 8 kilometres apart so I settled for the westerly one.

I parked in the snow and ice covered car park at the Knockan Crag Visitor Centre just south of the hamlet of Elphin on the A835. From the car park I had fantastic views across Lochan an Ais to the snow covered Cul Beag and Cul Mor. There was a circular route round the crag so I took the south approach where there was a warning sign of ice, which was very appropriate. The snow covered path was well constructed and where it steepened there was quite a bit of ice to avoid.

The path levelled out and after several metres I left it and climbed over the snow covered heather to Cnoc an t-Sasunnaich before descending slightly to the Bealach a’Phuill and onto the 420 metre knoll. The going was rather rough with lots of bog and some peat hags. I wasn’t sure whether the snow was making progress easier or not but it did make the terrain more obvious while concealing the bog.

I had considered a direct approach to Meall Coire an Lochain but settled for staying high where possible. From the 420 knoll I descended to the east side of a frozen lochan and climbed Meall Odhar before continuing round the north-east side of Meall nan Dearcag Beag. Beyond some lochans the ground became rockier and steeper. I ascended the narrow gully splitting the north-west face of Meall Coire an Lochain and when the gully later opened up I climbed steeply onto the south-west ridge. It was then an easy walk to the summit cairn where I had lunch. The views south to Ben Wyvis and the Beinn Dearg mountains were now restricted as the cloud base began to lower.

My plan was to return by the ascent route but with all the undulations I decided to make a more direct descent and set off down the north ridge over Cnoc Donn a’Phris towards the Bealach na h-Imrich. Despite the snow cover this descent was relatively easy but it didn’t last. From around the bealach to the Abhainn a’Chnocain, the outflow from Loch Odhar, there was lots of peat hags and bog to negotiate. It didn’t improve either once I had crossed the stream with more peat hags to contend with until I climbed to and reached the north side of Meall Odhar. Here I located my bootprints and returned to the car park by the outward route before the snow started.

Photos taken on walk.

Farrmheall, Cape Wrath Peninsula.

2011-03-26T01:32:00.000-07:00

Farrmheall

Farrmheall, Cape Wrath Peninsula. Section 16A
Height - 521 metres. Map – OS Landranger 9.
Climbed - 11 March 2011. Time taken – 2 hours.
Distance – 4 kilometres. Ascent – 350 metres.
Trip Report Details:

Nearly a week of stormy weather in the North-West Highlands meant I never got above 357 metres. However the forecast was for the winds to die down by mid-morning so I was optimistic that today I could get a little higher. My walking companion had given up and returned home.

To avoid the morning winds it was a late start. I parked my car in the small parking area on the north side of the Allt na Gualainne just off the A838, beyond Gualin House which is one of the starting points for the Corbett, Foinaven. The area had a covering of snow from an overnight fall.

The initial ascent was wet and boggy and wasn’t improved by the wet snow but as height was gained the ground became firmer and the snow drier. From the parking area I worked my way onto the south ridge of Farrmheall where I thought there were traces of a vehicle track concealed by the snow.

It was then a gradual climb of the south ridge where I was surprised to see a few traffic cones positioned on the hillside. I wasn’t sure of their purpose until I later discovered a telecommunication tower to the north of my intended summit and thought that there might be a connection.

Higher up the gradient eased and the ridge became a bit stoney with some minor snowdrifts. I already had views of Foinaven, Beinn Spionnaidh and Cranstackie but I could now see the Kyle of Durness and out to the Atlantic. It was a gentle rise to the summit cairn where my views west were obscured by an approaching snow shower. However gone were the strong winds of earlier in the week.

I had lunch sheltering behind the cairn and once the shower had past I was able to see out towards Sandwood Bay and the hills of the Cape Wrath peninsula. A few photographs were taken before I returned to my car by the upward route.

Photos taken on walk.

Glas Bheinn, Glenelg.

2011-03-20T16:09:00.000-07:00

Glas Bheinn

Glas Bheinn, Glenelg. Section 10A.
Height – 397 metres. Map – OS Landranger 33.
Climbed - 4 March 2011. Time taken – 5.25 hours.
Distance – 12.5 kilometres. Ascent – 615 metres.
Trip Report Details:

A couple of the hill baggers had headed home so our numbers were down to three. I had mentioned that the previous weekend I had been on the south side of Loch Alsh to climb the Sub 2000 Marilyn, Beinn a’Chuirn but hadn’t been up the adjacent Glas Bheinn. Some years ago Shona had a family holiday staying at Bernera Farm to the south of Glas Bheinn and was keen on a return visit to the area.

We drove to Bernera Farm on the Glenelg peninsula and parked just beyond the farm. Once geared up we set off up Glen Bernera on a muddy vehicle track. It soon became apparent why the track was muddy. As well as being used by farm vehicles cattle had free range. This was a concern to Shona and things became worse when we discovered that they were eating cattle cake recently spread on the track by the farmer.

On passing the cattle we entered the forest and followed the track as it gradually gained height and swung round the head of the glen. We ignored an area of open ground but as the track began to head south-east we reached another clearing, not marked on the map, and here left the track. A steep climb through bracken and heather slowed progress and with the cloud down we couldn’t see the route ahead. We came to more trees but a narrow break in the forest led to the open hillside.

Sue wanted to practice her navigation so she led us onto the south ridge, avoiding the crags, and to the summit trig point where we had an early lunch. The map also showed the name Carn Cloinn Mhic Cruimein and a Google search revealed that “nine-nines” of MacCrimmons were buried there having been slain in battle.

Occasionally we thought the cloud may lift but it didn’t. It was decided to head north-east and descend, when suitable, to the beach at Camus nan Gall. On the descent of this rocky and undulating ridge we dropped below the cloud base and had views of Kyle of Lochalsh and the Skye Bridge. The trees below had been forested and would have made walking difficult so we continued along the ridge before descending steeply through some birch trees. This led us to the south shore of Loch Alsh, just west of Ardintoul, and the Right of Way that runs from the Glenelg Ferry to Totaig.

We followed the Right of Way west to the headland at Garbhan Cosach where the path rose above the west shore of the Kyle Rhea straits. This narrow band of water, which separates the Island of Skye from the mainland, looked more like a large river as the waters moved through the narrows.

The path ended at the slipway for the ferry, which is open from Spring until October, as an alternative route to The Misty Isle. A short walk along the road returned us to Bernera Farm.

Photos taken on walk.

Creag Mhor, Sallachy

2011-03-14T02:02:00.000-07:00

Creag Mhor

Creag Mhor, Sallachy, Dornie. Section 12A.
Height – 407 metres. Map – OS Landranger 25.
Climbed - 28 February 2011. Time taken – 2.75 hours.
Distance – 5 kilometres. Ascent – 455 metres.
Trip Report Dteails:

The hamlet of Sallachy, on the north-west shore of Loch Long, was the starting point for this Sub 2000 Marilyn. I don’t usually have company on these lower hills but today I was joined by a Munro bagger who thought she would have an ‘easy day’.

I parked on the grass verge near a narrow tarred road that wound its way uphill. We walked along this road, which passed a mixture of old and new houses, to a croft just above an area being cleared, possibly for another new house. The road terminated here so we crossed a fence into ground used by construction vehicles. A short walk through this area led to an unstable deer fence and once over it onto the open hillside.

It was a lovely sunny morning and warm work as we climbed through a mixture of heather and bracken. The ground steepened and became a bit rocky before levelling out. The summit area had two small cairns each perched on a band of rock and I’m uncertain as to which was the highest point.

We took shelter from a cool summit breeze looking across Loch Carron to Kishorn and the mountains of Applecross. We also spent time trying to identify some of the distant hills.

Rather than return by the upward route we walked over to the south top and descended steeply to a stream which we followed through heather and bracken to the local water treatment works. Here a track led to the road and a short walk back to my car.

Photos taken on walk.

Beinn a'Mheadhoin, Dornie

2011-03-10T12:37:00.000-08:00

Beinn a'Mheadhoin

Beinn a’Mheadhoin, Dornie. Section 11A.
Height – 414 metres. Map – OS Landranger 33.
Climbed - 27 February 2011. Time – 2.5 hours.
Distance – 5.5 kilometres. Ascent – 460 metres.
Trip Report Details:

Earlier in the day I climbed Beinn Conchra on the west side of Loch Long. The weather was reasonable despite a hail and sleet shower. On my descent I had good views across the loch to Beinn a’Mheadhoin so decided to add this Sub 2000 Marilyn to my days outing.

From Dornie I drove along the south-east shore of Loch Long, to the hamlet of Bundalloch and parked in the bellmouth at the end of the public road. I then walked across the bridge over the River Glennan and followed a muddy track along the north side of the river. The condition of this track deteriorated due to animals being fed nearby so on finding a section of fence collapsed I crossed it and commenced the ascent of Beinn a’Mheadhoin.

The ground was a mixture of rock and heather and I kept to the highest points where possible. This meant a slight descent to cross the outflow of Loch Dubhach before finally climbing to the summit of Beinn a’Mheadhoin where I had good views of the surrounding mountains.

After lunch I returned to Bundalloch this time avoiding re-ascending any rocky knolls where possible but this did involve crossing short sections of steep terrain.

Photos taken on walk.

Beinn Conchra, Loch Long

2011-03-09T13:09:00.000-08:00

Beinn Conchra

Beinn Conchra, Loch Long. Section 12A.
Height – 453 metres. Map – OS Landranger 33.
Climbed - 27 February 2011. Time – 2.25 hours.
Distance – 3 kilometres. Ascent – 430 metres.
Trip Report Details:

It was a bright and calm morning as I drove along the single track road on the north-west side of Loch Long having left the A87 just east of Ardelve. I passed through the hamlet of Conchra before looking for a suitable parking spot. However there was nothing suitable until the farm building at NG892279.

Once booted up I walked back along the road for a few metres before passing through a gate on the opposite side of the road. It was a steady climb, following a fence, and higher up I crossed another gate. This took me onto the open hillside where the vegetation included some dead bracken which wasn’t very thick and didn’t cause me any problems. Beyond the bracken the ground became a bit steeper with some heather and rocks.

The trig point was reached with views of Loch Alsh, Loch Long, Dornie and Eilean Donan Castle. This wasn’t the summit though. It was over 500 metres to the north and 38 metres higher. An easy walk took me to the summit with views of Sguman Coinntich and the Applecross Hills.

I found some shelter from a cool breeze for morning coffee and later encountered a hail and sleet shower. After the short break I made a more direct return to my car missing out the trig point.

Photos taken on walk.

Beinn a'Chuirn, Kintail.

2011-03-07T14:06:00.000-08:00

Beinn a'Chuirn

Beinn a’Chuirn, Kintail. Section 10A.
Height – 603 metres. Map – OS Landranger 33.
Climbed - 26 February 2011. Time – 3.25 hours.
Distance – 8 kilometres. Ascent – 705 metres.
Trip Report Details:

I was staying in Plockton so it was a reasonably short journey to Letterfearn, on the south shore of Loch Duich, reached along the single track road from Sheil Bridge, on the A87, to Ratagan and then an even narrower road to Letterfearn. Just beyond the fish farm I managed to get my car off the road adjacent to a passing place.

The start of the walk was across some wet and boggy ground followed by a short steep ascent before the gradient eased. However the underfoot conditions were rather difficult due to large areas of dead bracken.

A fence was followed and this took me to the local water treatment works where I located an old overgrown vehicle track. It soon disappeared in the bracken so I headed for and crossed the Allt an Inbhir, which was my initial plan. Immediately on the opposite bank a deer fence marked the boundary of a forest.

The deer fence soon changed direction and I climbed steadily south-west through heather and rocks as I worked my way round Coire Inbhir. Higher up the gradient eased as I walked round numerous knolls before arriving at the summit trig point.

It was rather cloudy to the south but to the west I had views of Kyle of Lochalsh and the Skye Bridge, to the north, Dornie Bridge, Loch Long and Eilean Donan Castle, and to the east The Five Sisters and with a break in the cloud The Saddle.

After a while I returned to the start by a slightly more direct route which involved a steep descent through heather and rocks into Coire Inbhir. However lower down I still had the dead bracken to walk through.

Photos taken on walk.

Kerloch, Kincardineshire.

2011-02-11T10:09:00.000-08:00

Kerloch

Kerloch, Kincardineshire. Section 7.
Height – 534 metres. Map – OS Landranger 45.
Climbed - 6 February 2011. Time taken – 2.5 hours.
Distance – 10 kilometres. Ascent – 415 metres.
Trip Report Details:

This was my third and final Sub 2000 Marilyn for the day having already climbed Ben Newe in Glenbuckat and Craiglich near Tarland. The drive to the start took me along the South Deeside Road to Strachan and the signed unclassified road towards Stonehaven. Around four kilometres from Strachan I came to the start of my walk the ‘Right of Way’ to Auchenblae, called the Stock Mounth, also known as Foggy Road.

There were a few cars parked in the area so I had to drive slightly further east to get my car off the road before returning to the start of the ‘Right of Way’ where I took note of several signs. One warned of cattle but there weren’t any around when I set of but they were nearby on my return.

The vehicle track, which was in good condition headed south, passed a small quarry, and after around two kilometres reached the forest where there was another warning sign, this time regarding stalking. However this wasn’t a problem as it was Sunday, although the end of the hind stalking season was only a few days away.

The route through the trees continued to follow the vehicle track but the surface was a bit eroded as the gradient increased. I passed a but and ben before reaching the east edge of the forest where muirburning was in progress. Not far beyond this point I came to a junction of tracks with further ‘Right of Way’ signs. Here my route left the ‘Right of Way’ and headed west where the vehicle track became steeper and more eroded. Looking back through the trees I could see Banchory and the Hill of Fare.

The track eventually emerged from the forest and I continued to near the summit of Kerloch. Just before it levelled out a worn path headed to the summit cairn and trig point. It was now brighter than it had been all day and I had views of Glen Dye, Clachnaben and Mount Keen. However the smoke from the burning heather made the views of the Durris TV mast and Cairn-mon-earn less clear.

After several minutes at the top taking a few photographs I returned to the start by the upward route.

Photos taken on walk.

Craiglich, Aberdeenshire.

2011-02-09T09:33:00.000-08:00

Craiglich

Craiglich, Aberdeenshire. Section 21B.
Height – 476 metres. Map – OS Landranger 37.
Date climbed - 6 February 2011. Time taken – 1.25 hours.
Distance – 4.5 kilometres. Ascent – 190 metres.
Trip Report Details:

I drove from Glenbuckat, where I had climbed Ben Newe, to Tarland and onto the B9119 where east of the Coull junction I located a large parking area on the north side of the road. Here there was a picnic area but my sights were set on the opposite side of the road where a track headed south towards the forest.

The main road and the locked gate were crossed before I walked along the track, which swung west before reaching another gate, this time with a stile. Once over the stile I was into the forest where recently trees and bushes at the side of the track had been cut down. It was a bit unsightly with the track covered in small cuttings. However it gave me clearer views westwards to Pressendye, Morven and Lochnagar.

Despite the cuttings and small areas of ice it was an easy walk through the forest gradually gaining some height. At the second junction on my left, marked by a cairn, I took a left turn and followed the track through the forest onto the open hillside. The track continued over the heather to the summit trig point and a partially collapsed beehive cairn.

In addition to the hills already mentioned I could now see Bennachie, Benaquhallie, Hill of Fare, Kerloch, which I planned to climb later that day, Clachnaben and Mount Battock. I found some shelter behind the cairn from a cool breeze for lunch before returning by the ascent route.

Photos taken on walk.

Ben Newe, Aberdeenshire.

2011-02-08T08:01:00.000-08:00

Ben Newe

Ben Newe, Aberdeenshire. Section 21A.
Height – 565 metres. Map – OS Landranger 37.
Climbed - 6 February 2011. Time taken – 2 hours.
Distance – 5.5 kilometres. Ascent – 365 metres.
Trip Report Details:

I parked in the car park at Buchaam, just off the A944, south of Mains of Glenbuchat, and followed the ‘yellow route’ through the trees. There were several marker posts to assist in route finding and the track eventually emerged from the trees on the north side of the forest. A couple of roe deer were spotted crossing the track.

The summit of Ben Newe was now in view above the end of the track which had a light covering of frozen snow. The ‘yellow route’ soon re-entered the forest and as the path through the fir trees was snow free I followed it, which turned out to be a mistake. Beyond the fir trees there was no obvious route to Ben Newe so I left the ‘yellow trail’ and followed a track through an area of cut timber.

This route was still taking me away from the summit so I left the track and climbed through the well spaced trees where there was some fallen timber. I eventually came to a ‘blue route’ which took me between some fir trees, onto the heather hillside. The path continued to the summit cairn and trig point where I found some shelter for a coffee break looking down on Glenbuchat and across the Ladder Hills to the top of the snow covered cliffs of Beinn a’Bhuird.

On my descent I planned to follow the fence east to join the track on the north side of the forest. This involved walking through the heather but I soon came to an area of hard packed snow. I attempted to avoid it by heading north but eventually fitted my microspikes, although not a fan of them on gradients, crossed the snow and cut back to the track. I rejoined the route used earlier in the day and followed it back to the start.

Photos taken on walk.

Stronend, Fintry Hills.

2011-02-07T13:36:00.000-08:00

Stronend

Stronend, Fintry Hills. Section 26.
Height – 511 metres. Map – OS Landranger 57.
Climbed - 30 January 2011. Time taken – 2.75 hours.
Distance – 9.5 kilometres. Ascent – 490 metres.
Trip Report Details:

With a poor forecast for later in the day I decided to climb this Sub 2000 Scottish Marilyn. My map indicated a track part of the way up the west side of Stronend and beyond that some broken contours between the cliffs.

I parked in the village of Fintry, crossed the bridge over the Endrick Water, and walked along the icy tarred private road to Culcreuch Castle Hotel. On reaching the Hotel I followed the signposted vehicle track to the farm. There was no movement here other than a few dogs in their kennels. At the rear of the property I located the track that would give me access to the hill.

Beyond the farm I came across an open gate with a polite sign requesting no dogs due to grazing cattle and sheep. Not a problem for me as I was on my own. The track zig zagged uphill until it came to second gate which this time was closed. At the side was a stile constructed from a ladder.

The track now levelled out but as I considered leaving it I came across another track, not shown on my map, that headed uphill and led to a third gate, again with a stile. The field beyond had loads of sheep and I followed various paths, some probably animal trails, as I aimed for a fourth gate I had observed at the top of the field.

This gate required clambering over as there was no stile. The ground here had a light covering of snow and became quite steep but there were paths to follow which took me onto the summit plateau without any difficulty. It was now cold and windy so I put on my down jacket before following the path, for over a kilometre, to the large summit cairn and trig point.

I was still below the cloud base but the views weren’t good although I could make out the Lake of Menteith and to the east some wind turbines. After a coffee break in the shelter of the cairn I returned to the village of Fintry by the upward route.

Photos taken on walk.

Craigendarroch, Aberdeenshire.

2011-01-26T08:13:00.000-08:00

Craigendarroch

Craigendarroch, Aberdeenshire. Section 21A.
Height – 402 metres. Map – OS Landranger 37 or 44.
Climbed - 22 January 2011. Time taken – 50 minutes.
Distance – 2.5 kilometres. Ascent – 195 metres.
Trip Report Details:

Craigendarroch is located between the village of Ballater and the Pass of Ballater. I have driven through the village and along its bypass on numerous occasions over the years but wasn’t aware this hillock was a Marilyn or even of its name. Climbing it doesn’t justify a specific journey unless you are staying locally, or in my case returning from other hills.

I parked in the village and located the street Craigendarroch Walk with its signposted route to the hill. An alternative circular walk was also indicated. A few metres along this road the marked route led through a gate and into oak woodland.

Here I took the left path which gradually gained a little height as it made its way round the hill in a clockwise direction. At a junction of paths I took the uphill route which continued through the oak trees. Higher up the gradient increased and the oaks were replaced by Scots Pine and Silver Birch. It is obviously a popular hill with the locals as on arriving at the large cairn and summit indicator there were quite a few folks around, including some children.

I took a few photographs before returning to Ballater by the upward route.

Photos taken on walk.

Creag Ghiubhais, Aberdeenshire.

2011-01-25T09:47:00.000-08:00

Creag Ghiubhais

Creag Ghiubhais, Aberdeenshire. Section 7.
Height – 486 metres. Map – OS Landranger 37 or 44.
Climbed - 22 January 2011. Time taken – 2.25 hours.
Distance – 3.5 kilometres. Ascent – 250 metres.
Trip Report Details:

The start of this walk was Littlemill, a hamlet on the South Deeside Road, west of Ballater. There was some off road parking west of the bridge over the Girnock Burn.

I set off along the track on the west side of this burn and once beyond a few houses I left it and headed through the trees. I soon came to a deer fence which was a bit more difficult to cross than normal as it included a couple of strands of barbed wire. However if I had gone further along the track I could have used a wicket gate in the deer fence.

Beyond the deer fence there was lots of deep heather, interspersed with boulders, to work my way through but with a bit of effort I was soon on the east ridge of Creag Ghiubhais. The summit didn’t appear far away and there was a faint trace of a path or animal trail. I came to some rocks many covered in ice which gave me a few problems as I searched out some dry stone.

There were several small areas of rock to cross as well as patches of hard packed snow before the tree covered summit was reached. I found a cairn but wasn’t sure if it was the true summit so continued further west and found a second but smaller cairn set amongst the trees. Due to the trees it wasn’t possible to tell the highest point so I returned to the large cairn where I had some lunch. I found a couple of plastic containers concealed in the cairn, one contained a signed piece of paper from members of the 47th Culter BBs (Aberdeen).

To avoid the icy rock the return was slightly to the south of the ascent route but this descent became rather steep so I cut back and rejoined the east ridge at the lowest section of rock. Lower down I used the wicket gate to negotiate the deer fence.

Photos taken on walk.

Meall Alvie, Aberdeenshire

2011-01-23T09:38:00.000-08:00

Meall Alvie

Meall Alvie, Aberdeenshire. Section 8.
Height – 560 metres. Map – OS Landranger 43 & 44
Climbed - 22 January 2011. Time taken -1.5 hours.
Distance – 4.5 kilometres. Ascent – 255 metres.
Trip Report Details:

There are a few Sub 2000 Marilyns in and around the Deeeside area of Aberdeenshire, albeit not in the same sections as referred to in the Relative Hills of Britain book, which only take an hour or so to climb and aren’t worth a specific journey.

I made a list of a few of them including Meall Alvie, the most westerly one, before setting off for Invercauld, just east of Braemar. When I left home it was +6C but on arriving in the car park at Keiloch it was -1C with the sun appearing over Lochnagar. The parking charge of £2.50 was a bit on the steep side for such a short walk and the toilet was frozen and therefore closed. I could have found somewhere at the side of the A93 to park for free but the monies accrued from the car park are supposed to be utilised for path maintenance in Upper Deeside.

It was only a few steps from the car park to the buildings at Keiloch where a directional sign indicated the ‘Right of Way’ to Inver vie Felagie. This took me between the buildings and onto a vehicle track which was icy in places, and as the sign indicated to Felagie, an unoccupied white washed house with red corrugated roof.

Here an old stone dyke ran up the west side of Meall Alvie. (Avoid the old vehicle track which led into a wired game bird pen with no exit.) I kept to the south side of the dyke passing through well spaced Scots Pine trees, over heather and round some fallen timber. It was a steady but easy climb and after fifty minutes from leaving the car park I arrived at the summit cairn which was set amongst the trees.

There were views of Beinn a’Bhuird and Ben Avon but the glare of a low sun prevented a clear view of Lochngar. I took a short break here before returning to the car park by the upward route.

Photos taken on walk.

Millstone Hill, Aberdeenshire

2011-01-17T14:17:00.000-08:00

Millstone Hill

Millstone Hill, Aberdeenshire.
Height – 409 metres. Map – OS Landranger 38.
Climbed - 16 January 2011. Time taken 3.5 hours.
Distance – 11 kilometres. Ascent – 730 metres.
Trip Report Details:

The start for this walk was the Donview Car Park on the Lord’s Throat Road that runs from Monymusk to Keig.

It was sunny, and a bit milder that of late, when I set off from the car park and followed the marked route for the Millstone Hill Trail. This took me into the forest, across an icy section of path, and onto a vehicle track.

I followed this track until another of several signposts directed me onto a path. Here the gradient soon increased and steps had been created to make for easier progress. Higher up there was a gap in the trees where I had views of the River Don and across to another Marilyn, Cairn William.

There was some more snow and ice to contend with as the trees became sparser and the path continued through the heathery hillside. Forty five minutes from leaving the car park the summit cairn of Millstone Hill suddenly came into view.

My initial plan was to return to the car park and drive to the Glens of Foudland and climb one or two Marilyns there but I was enjoying the outing, and the weather conditions, so I decided to continue across to the Mither Tap on Bennachie.

I descended the path on the north-east side of Millstone Hill, making a slight diversion to the summit of the 387 metre knoll. The path, which was still well signposted, led to Bennachie Forest where a sign indicated restrictive access due to forest operations. This was the first indication that the path was closed. From my vantage point there didn’t appear to be any work ongoing so I continued to a vehicle track where there were piles of logs and a parked piece of machinery.

The route along the forest track only lasted around hundred metres before I came to another path signposted Mither Tap. This path crossed the Gordon Way and was soon onto open ground where lower down there was more snow and ice. Once beyond the snow it was a steady climb towards the granite tor of Mither Tap.

It was now quite windy as I followed the path round to the more sheltered north side of the hill and through a gap in the old fort wall. A short easy scramble, made awkward by the strong wind, led to the summit trig point and indicator. It was quite difficult to stay upright here and several folks arrived from the trade mark north and east routes. The Mither Tap is not the highest point on Bennachie, Oxen Craig further to the west is and subsequently the Marilyn.

I descended towards the old fort wall and some shelter for a coffee break looking over the Garioch area of Aberdeenshire, before returning by the outward route.

Photos taken on walk.

Waughton Hill, Aberdeenshire.

2011-01-12T12:02:00.000-08:00

Waughton Hill

Waughton Hill, Aberdeenshire.Section 21B.
Height – 234 metres. Map – OS Landranger 30.
Climbed - 9 January 2011. Time taken 2.25 hours.
Distance – 8 kilometres. Ascent – 205 metres.
Trip Report Details:

I hadn’t been to the Buchan area for several years so on studying the Relative Hills of Britain book I decided to climb the Sub 2000 Marilyn, Waughton Hill, the most easterly Marilyn in Scotland.

I parked in the village of Strichen and walked up the snow and ice covered road to beyond Bransbeg Farm where a track, with evidence of recent snowdrifts, continued north and then east to the ruin at Pluckhill. A couple of gates and fields were crossed before I reached a barbed wire fence with gorse bushes beyond.

There was no obvious route through the bushes so I followed the fence north, crossing a couple of other fences en-route, before I found a suitable gap. Once over the barbed wire fence I climbed through clearings in the gorse to the edge of a quarry and onto an icy track that led passed a copse of firs.

Another track led to the ruin of Hunter’s Lodge where I took shelter, from a cold wind, for a coffee break looking across to Peterhead Power Station and the North Sea beyond. Once refreshed there was a slight dip, where disused electric fencing could trip the unwary, followed by a short climb to the summit of Waughton Hill. There was no cairn here but I considered somewhere close to a small triangle marked by three fence posts was the summit area.

I wondered around the top for a few minutes looking north to the fishing town of Fraserburgh and west to Banffshire before returning to Hunter’s Lodge and the trees beyond. I then made my way through gorse bushes to the snow covered stones laid out to look like a horse and known as the White Horse due to the stone colouring. From here a path led through the gorse to a wicket gate and a signposted route for Strichen.

The path followed the edge of a field before a track led to Bransfarm and the road back to Bransbeg Farm and Strichen.

Photos taken on walk.

Hare Cairn, Angus.

2011-01-05T08:56:00.000-08:00

Hare Cairn

Hare Cairn, Angus. Section 7.
Height – 516 metres. OS Landranger 44.
Climbed - 2 January 2011. Time taken – 3.5 hours.
Distance – 11.5 kilometres. Ascent – 310 metres.
Trip Report Details:

The start of this walk was the Backwater Reservoir reached from the B951 Kirriemuir to Kirkton of Glenisla Road. My choice was either to park in the car park at the east side of the Reservoir or at the dam to the south. As I was in no rush I settled for the dam car park. Here the conditions were quite icy so I fitted my microspikes before setting off.

I walked along the snow and ice covered vehicle track on the west side of the frozen Reservoir. On approaching the north end of the dam I stayed on the vehicle track as it headed uphill hoping that there was a path through the trees onto the summit of Hare Cairn. Unfortunately there wasn’t, but it was possible to walk through the forest working my way round some fallen timber.

I was making progress, albeit slowly, until I reached an area of conifers which were impossible to penetrate. I followed deer trails north along the edge of these conifers, crossing a few fallen trees, and eventually came to a deer fence.

This deer fence was crossed and followed uphill over a mixture of heather and hard packed snow where a few roe deer were feeding. The deer fence had to be re-crossed, where it turned and headed north, as well as an old fence, before I walked south over more heather and snow to the summit trig point. Here I had views of the Angus Hills and the Backwater Reservoir as I took a coffee break.

On my return I continued east down the deer fence until a gate with a signed route was reached. This route led to the Reservoir and the walk back along its west side arriving at my car as snow started to fall.

Photos taken on walk.

Beinn an t-Sidhein, Trossachs

2010-12-29T10:11:00.000-08:00

Beinn an t-Sidhein

Beinn an t-Sidhein, Trossachs. – Section 1C.
Height – 572 meters. Map – OS Landranger 57.
Climbed – 26 December 2010. Time taken – 3 hours.
Distance – 6 kilometers. Ascent – 525 meters.
Trip Report Details:

The forecast was for windy and deteriorating weather conditions later in the day so I settled for a morning ascent of the Sub 2000 Scottish Marilyn, Beinn an t-Sidhein.

I parked in the Forestry Commission car park just off the main street (A84) in the village of Strathyre. The surface was covered in hard packed snow so before leaving I fitted my microspikes. It was a short walk to the partially frozen River Balvag, which I crossed via a footbridge, and onto the single track road on its west side.

This road was followed north to beyond the school where a blue and green marked trail led through the trees. The path was closed off for forestry operations but as it was a Sunday and Boxing Day I thought work would be suspended for the holiday.

The path climbed steeply through the trees to a vehicle track where a large forestry vehicle was parked. It was frozen over so I concluded that work was on hold and walked north along this track for a few metres to where cut timber was stored. Here I took a left onto another vehicle track where I located the blue/ green marked trail.

It was again a steady climb before I emerged onto a third vehicle track where the blue and green routes split. On checking out the blue route it appeared to enter an area of recently cut timber so I decided on the green route which headed north through mature trees.

I was aware that at some point I would have to leave the forest trails and make my own way uphill and onto the open hillside. At the end of the area of mature trees I came to a small stream with some recently planted trees beyond, and decided that this was the point to leave the track. The lying snow was fairly firm and concealed most of the bracken and other obstacles, otherwise underfoot conditions would have been considerably more awkward. There were some deer prints and I spotted a few deer higher up.

On reaching the top of the forest there were two fences to cross. The deer fence was all but collapsed so I stepped over it and the second lower fence was newer but easily crossed. This took me onto the open hillside and I walked across patches of snow and bare heather to climb to the summit of Beinn an t-Sidhein, marked by a few stones and a stick.

I continued out to Beinn Luidh where I had better views across Balquhidder to Kirkton Glen and beyond Strathyre to Loch Earn. The higher tops were covered in cloud and it was forming around frozen Loch Lubnaig. Despite snow flurries I had a quick coffee break before returning by the ascent route.

Photos taken on walk.

Carn Fiaclach, Glen Affric.

2010-11-15T09:55:00.000-08:00

Carn Fiaclach

Carn Fiaclach, Glen Affric. - Section 11B

Height – 457 metres. Map – OS Landranger 25.
Climbed - 29 October 2010. Time taken – 3.75 hours.
Distance – 5.5 kilometres. Ascent – 330 metres.
Trip Report Details:

We had been staying for a few days in Tomch and as my walking friends were returning home on what was a very windy morning I decided to climb this nearby Sub 2000 Marilyn. It was a short drive to the Dog Falls Car Park in Glen Affric, where there were plenty of parking spaces.

I walked across the bridge over the River Affric and followed the vehicle track that headed south-west through the forest gradually gaining some height. At a junction of tracks I took the right fork and continued in the same direction searching for a suitable point to scramble through the forest onto this hill. I never found one and when the track started to loose height I decided that I had little option but wade my way through the forest undergrowth if I was going to reach the summit of this ‘little hill’. The map hadn’t helped as Carn Fiaclach was shown as surrounded by forest.

Firstly there was an area of watery ground to traverse before commencing a fairly steep climb through the trees. Underfoot the long vegetation, heather, mosses and some fallen timber made progress slow and awkward but eventually I appeared on the west ridge of Carn Fiaclach. It was then a short walk to the summit where a metal pole marked the top. I found some shelter from the wind for a coffee with views of Loch Affric and the cloud covered Affric Munros.

Maybe it was a mistake taking a coffee break, as while seated at the summit I decided to return by descending the north-east ridge which was initially quite pleasant. However lower down the vegetation and some rocks made the descent pretty awful so I wouldn’t recommend this route. Low down on the ridge I came to the vehicle track which I followed in a south-westerly direction until it joined the track used earlier that day. It was then a short walk back to the car park.

On checking Google the metal pole on the summit may be a trig point for the hydro electric station.

Photos taken on walk.

An Lean-Charn, Far North

2010-11-09T14:49:00.000-08:00

An Lean-charn

An Lean-charn, Far North. – Section 16B
Height 521 metres. Map – OS Landranger 9.
Climbed – 25 October 2010. Time taken – 3.5 hours.
Distance – 8.5 kilometres. Ascent – 550 metres.
Trip Report Details:

I was heading south to Cannich later in the day so this Sub 2000 foot Marilyn appeared to meet my requirement for a morning walk.

I drove west along the single track A838 Tongue to Durness Road to the head of the sea loch, Loch Eriboll. Despite being in some wild country there were few parking spaces. Once I managed to get my car off the road I headed south along a vehicle track to a couple of gates which were in poor condition. Here there was a sign giving advice during the stalking seasons, but no indication if stalking was taking place that day. However there was a contact number but I doubt if my mobile would have worked in such a remote location.

The vehicle track headed round the west side of the craggy, Creag na Faoilinn and along Srath Beag. However once beyond the crags I left the track and climbed east over some wet and rough vegetation as I made my way towards my target hill, An Lean-charn. The plan was to use the three lochans to the south-east of Creag na Faoilinn as navigation aids but the weather was clear enough for me to make a direct ascent. The ground did steepen in places but there was no real problem. A small dip containing a lochan was crossed before the final climb to the summit cairn of An Lean-charn.

Here I had a coffee break with views of Ben Hope and Lochs Hope and Eriboll.

My return was by the ascent route with views of the Corbetts, Foinaven, Cranstackie and Beinn Spionnaidh as the cloud lifted clear of their tops.

Wildlife spotted on this walk included deer, grouse and a vole.

Photos taken on walk.

Craig of Monievreckie, Trossachs.

2010-10-11T10:27:00.000-07:00

Menteith Hills

Craig of Monievreckie, Trossachs. Section 1C.
Height – 400 meters. Map – OS Landranger 57.
Climbed - 20 September 2010. Time taken – 4 hours.
Distance – 12.5 kilometres. Ascent – 550 metres.
Trip Report Details:

I was staying in the Trossachs and on advising my host I was planning climbing Craig of Monievreckie she offered me a lift to the start if I would take her dog with me. Not a problem as this would allow me to make the ascent of this Sub 2000 Marilyn a linear walk.

I was dropped off at the Braeval Forest car park on the A81 Port of Menteith to Aberfoyle Road and followed the ‘red route’ through the forest as indicated on the web site ‘Scottish Hills’. High up in the forest an unmarked path led along the side of a stream to a new gate in the mesh type fencing and this gave me access to the open hillside.

A walker’s path meandered through the bracken and onto the south west ridge of Craig of Monievreackie. The path was followed over a few knolls to the summit trig point where I had a coffee break with views of the Lake of Menteith and Ben Venue.

Afterwards I continued along the ridge to the Bealach Conasgach where I took the wrong option. Instead of continuing along the ridge I descended to the Rob Roy Way. This route was pretty awful as it was through long bracken and trees. I don’t think the dog enjoyed the experience either.

Eventually I came to the Rob Roy Way and made good progress through the forest until I reached a gate giving access to an open field. The gate was tied with wire which was impossible to undo. Even a gap in the gate was tied with barbed wire. There was a stile over the adjoining dyke and wire fence but it wasn’t suitable for dogs. I tried to entice the dog over the wall and through the fence, which also had a barbed wire strand, but without success. In the end I had to remove part of the wall then lift and push the now agitated dog through the gap and over the fence.

I rebuilt the wall and walked across the field, containing a few sheep, to the other side. Again I was confronted by a gate which this time was padlocked. Stones appeared to have been removed from the dyke and replaced so I did likewise.

We then walked through the forest, passed Lochan Allt a’Chip Dhuibh, and onto a forest track. This track was followed east before I came across signs restricting access due to forest operations. There was no obvious alternative route so I continued along the track but fortunately no one was working although a large area of the trees had been harvested.

The track took me to the East Lodge at Invertrossachs before the dog entered Loch Venachar for a swim and wash. We then continued along the road until we were picked up east of the Gobhain Bridge.

Photos taken on walk.

Benaquhallie, Aberdeenshire.

2010-10-08T13:11:00.000-07:00

Benaquhallie

Benaquhallie, Aberdeenshire. Section 21B.
Height – 494 metres. Map – OS Landranger 37.
Climbed - 12 September 2010. Time taken – 0.75 hours.
Distance – 3 kilometres. Ascent – 195 metres.
Trip Report Details:

This was my third and final Sub 2000 Aberdeenshire Marilyn for the day. I was en-route home along the B9119 Tarland to Aberdeen Road and west of Tornaveen drove up the single track road that led to Upper Broomhill Farm. At the end of the tarred road I parked at the side of the access road leading to Upper Dagie, where it appeared renovations were in progress.

I walked the short distance to Upper Broomhill Farm then along the west side of the farm buildings which led to a gate in an electric fence. Once through the gate I crossed a field, initially following grassy vehicle tracks, to a wall and a few trees, which led to the top fence. Here I found all four strands of the fence were electrified. I didn’t notice until the descent that slightly to the west there was a short section with rubber tubing round the wires to facilitate a crossing. In the process of climbing the fence I did discover that it was in fact live.

Beyond the fence there was deep heather to contend with as I continued the ascent. I reached a large cairn and a short distance further north the summit trig point, where I had views of Craigievar Castle, the Howe of Alford and Aberdeen.

The return was by the ascent route crossing the fence where the rubber tubing protected me from another electric shock.

Photos taken on walk.