Lorna’s Mountains 2014
Date:	Where:	Munro (M)		Notes:
		Corbett (C)
		Graham (G)
		No:	Total:
11^th January	Carn na Coinnich, Strathconon.	G1	G29	Cold, sunny day with snow underfoot. Ascended south from Bridgend and returned past Loch Gruamach to Balnacraig and the main Dalbreac track. Superb walk with excellent views of neighbouring snowy mountains.
25^th January	Meall Dubh, Inverlael.	G1	G30	Walked a short way up Gleann na Sguaib before heading north-east through the forest. Picked up the track which converges on Allt Badan Seasgach and continued north to the summit lochan and cairn. Descended south-west to return on same route. Met three deer-stalkers. Intermittent views of big surrounding hills. Sun, cloud, snow and hail on brisk wind.
8^th February	Beinn Mheadhoin, Strathconon.	G1	G31	Walked up Gleann Chorainn to the head of the glen and then turned north-east to follow the ridge to Beinn Mheadhoin. Interesting assortment of crags around Lochan Sgeireach. Descended north then east to pick up a track back to the road. Windy day with occasional snow. Snow underfoot higher up, patchy areas deep and solid. Surrounding hills mostly obscured by cloud.
15^th February	Beinn Ghobhlach.	G1	G32	Walked the coastal path west from Badrallach then followed a stream bed north-east to the lochans below the hill. Traversed round to the south-west ridge and climbed direct to the summit. Followed the main ridge anti-clockwise to the north-west top where visibility improved. Descended into Coire Dearg then south-west to the coastal path. Wet and windy but a superb walk.
8^th March	Carn Breac & Beinn na Feusaige.	G2	G34	Followed the stalker’s path west into Coire Crubaidh as far as house ruins where a path branched northwards. Climbed Carn Breac into increasingly fierce wind which eventually became very unpleasant and continued throughout the day. Returned to climb Meallan Mhic Iamhair and then Beinn na Feusaige via aircraft impact site at 0873354205. Superb mountain views from Carn Breac but far too windy to attempt photography. Aircraft: B-26C Martin Marauder 41-34707, crashed 3^rd June 1943, all 5 crew killed.
15^th March	Meall a’ Chaorainn, Achnasheen.	G1	G35	Nice short walk for a wet and windy day whilst recovering from flu. Followed the stalker’s path up the Allt Duchairidh then turned to climb the wide north-west ridge. Limited visibility once on the ridge. Returned on the outward route. Short length of stone revetment on the path and 2 or 3 small, stone recesses with no obvious function.
22^nd March	Beinn na Gainimh, Amulree.	G1	G36	Walked the road from Amulree to Croftmill then followed the track into Glen Lochan, past the lochans, to the top of the pass. Climbed the hill from here. Followed the high ground north and east to descend north from Meall Mor and re-join the outward route. Nice day with snow underfoot and occasional cloud on neighbouring hills.
29^th March	Geallaig, Ballater.	G1	G37	Pleasant walk on tracks and road. Started at Braenaloin cottage, climbed Geallaig then followed track east over Creag na Creiche and Carn Dearg. Descended from 590m cairn to Glen Gairn road near Torbeg. Misty high up with hazy views down to Deeside. Sunny later.
5^th April	Cnap Chaochan Aitinn, Glen Avon.	G1	G38	Parked south of Tomintoul and walked the private road up the glen. Visited the ruined township of Bailechnoic with two apparent corn-drying kilns. Excellent walk with awesome views south from the summit. Ben Avon and Beinn a’ Bhuird partially covered in cloud but still impressive with considerable snow cover. Returned via outward route with deviation to Queen’s View.
12^th April	Carn an Tionail, Sutherland.	G1	G39	Walked the track from West Merkland till it crossed the burn coming down from Ben Hee’s western coire. From here noticed a footbridge across the Allt na Ghlaise, accessed from a left turn off the track ahead. Climbed A’ Ghlaise in increasingly strong wind and continued to Carn an Tionail. Fine hill with good views of the neighbouring Corbetts. Descended to Bealach nan Rath and the coire seeking shelter from the wind which became even more fierce. Forded the Allt na Ghlaise to regain the track back.
26^th April	Ladylea Hill, Glen Buchat, Strathdon.	G1	G40	Climbed the Hill of Cummerton from near Eastertown then followed the high ground over Mid Hill and Clashenteple Hill. Thick mist obliterated visibility most of the way with sunshine emerging towards the final top. Much evidence of tree planting over entire route. Descended the Allt na Greine track to Netherton then walked the road back in fine sunshine. Several old lime kilns in the glen.
3^rd May	Carn an Tionail & Beinn Direach.	G2	G41	Second ascent of Carn an Tionail. Approached A’ Ghlaise on a traverse along its western slopes to view Creag na h-Uidhe and the vast coire opposite. Dull day but good visibility with slight haze on distant views. Superb walk with fine mountain scenery. Clockwise circuit which included Meall a’ Chleirich. Found the old milestone west of Loch an Tuim Bhuidhe.
10^th May	Cook’s Cairn, Glenlivet.	G1	G42	Followed the track along the River Livet from Allanreid to Suie then forked right for the long, gradual climb of the hill. Various ruins in the glen. Poor forecast but only a little drizzle. Visited Scalan after the walk.
17^th May	Mount Battock.	C1	C171	Parked north of Bridge of Dye and walked the track up Glen Dye, visiting Charr bothy. Good weather on the walk in but no visibility on the high ground. Returned via outward route. Originally intended returning via Clachnaben but cancelled this due to wind, rain, cloud and hideous, bulldozed track.
24^th May	Meall an Fheur Loch & Meallan a’ Chuail.	G2	G43	Meallan a’ Chuail climbed previously with Corbett Beinn Leoid. Clockwise circuit of the two hills. Fine crag and lochan scenery on the descent of Meall an Fheur Loch. North ridge of Meallan a’ Chuail used for ascent and descent to give ease of return to outward stalker’s path. Compact but interesting walk. Dull day but dry with varying cloud cover on higher hills.
31^st May	Beinn Eich, Cruach an t-Sidhein & Doune Hill, Glen Luss.	G3	G46	Hot sunny day. Fine views to neighbouring hills, distant mountains and Loch Lomond. Clockwise circuit from near Edentaggart. Descended Doune Hill down south-east slopes past Stuc Ban crags.
7^th June	Beinn an Eoin, Torridon.	C1	C172	Superb walk on a hot, sunny day. Fine views of neighbouring hills with all tops clear of cloud. Approached from the north along a very scenic track from Am Feur-loch, returning the same way.
14^th June	Beinn Dearg, Torridon.	C1	C173	Walked from the Ling Hut car park, passing between Liathach and Beinn Eighe on the Coire Dubh Mor path. Turned north at Loch Grobaig to gain access to Beinn Dearg’s northern coires. Climbed the north-west ridge from An Coire Mor and followed the ridge to the summit cairn. Returned on the outward route. Most of the walk was spent in low cloud which obscured all but the immediate surroundings. The cloud lifted on departing An Coire Mor which revealed the vast terrain around Baosbheinn, Beinn an Eoin and Beinn a’ Chearcaill. Awesome view of Liathach’s northern flanks on return. Lots of frogs.
21^st June	Beinn Chaorach & Beinn a’ Mhanaich, Glen Luss.	G2	G48	Followed the Gleann na Caorainn track to the foot of Sron na Speireig and ascended from there. Inspected old shielings by the “Sheiling Burn”. Descended to the bealach north-west of Beinn Chaorach and climbed to Bealach an t-Saic to access Beinn a’ Mhanaich. Descended the eastern slopes to return on the outward route. Clear day with warm sun on ascents and cool breeze on the tops. Fine views of the Luss hills.
28^th June	Beinn Bheag, Beinn Mhor & Clach Bheinn, Loch Eck, Cowal.	G2	G50	Parked at Benmore Botanic Gardens and followed the track up the western side of Loch Eck as far as Bernice. Ascended west to Bealach Bernice and climbed Meall Breac and Beinn Bheag. Returned to bealach to climb Beinn Mhor, proceeding south and east to finish on Clach Bheinn. Easy descent of south-east ridge followed by gruesome descent of final slope through midge-infested bracken and encroaching darkness. Returned to car at 00:30am. Clear day with periods of hot sun, cold breeze and light drizzle.
5^th July	Ben Tirran (The Goet), Glen Clova.	C1	C174	Parked at Milton of Clova, walking a short stretch of road to reach the stalker’s path to Loch Wharrel. Ascended Ben Tirren (cairn) and The Goet (trig) then followed the high ground west to Green Hill. Followed the corrie rim of Loch Brandy to descend The Snub and return to the village. Generally good weather with good visibility, just a short period of rain. Saw some big frogs and toads.
12^th July	Monamenach & Mealna Letter (Duchray Hill), Glen Isla.	C1	C175	Climbed Monamenach from Auchavan then followed the high ground south to Mealna Letter. Descended to the previous bealach to return via Glen Beanie and the road. Very wet day with low cloud obscuring scenery. Loch Beanie and beyond visible plus Mealna Letter crags from Glen Beanie track.
		G1	G51
19^th July	Baosbheinn (Sgorr Dubh).	C1	C176	Warm sunny start with drizzle later and occasional mist and cloud. Good views but haze rendered distant hills as silhouettes. Walked the track from the north to the outflow of Loch na h-Oidhche then turned west into An Reidh-choire. Climbed north-east ridge to the summit, topping out on a pleasant little path. Returned on outward route. Many frogs.
3^rd August	Tullich Hill, Ben Reoch & Beinn Bhreac.	G2	G53	Clockwise circuit from Invergroin in Glen Douglas near Luss. Mixed weather with occasional rain and brief cloud (on Tullich Hill) but good views of neighbouring hills and Loch Lomond. Arrochar hills hazy with varying cloud cover. Ben Lomond permanently obscured.
16^th August	Mount Blair, Glen Shee.	G1	G54	Very windy, occasional light drizzle with warm sunny periods. Hazy views from the top but clear skies later. Approached from the north-west and descended the south ridge towards Drumore Loch. Walked the minor Glen Shee road back to the car. Saw a few llamas in a roadside field.
23^rd August	Tom Meadhoin, Gleann Righ.	G1	G55	Walked up Gleann Righ from Inchree via the waterfall path. Tedious ascent through forestry devastation behind Sallachail cottage to gain the west ridge. Descended north around forest towards Lochan Lunn Da-Bhra to pick up track back down the glen. One heavy shower but otherwise quite sunny with cold breeze. Excellent scenery in all directions.
13^th September	Druim na Sgriodain.	G1	G56	Warm, sunny day with haze obscuring distant visibility. Parked near Torr Dearg and climbed the easiest slopes leading to the fence line. Followed the high ground over Monadh Leathann and Beinn na Cille to Sgurr na h-Eanchainne, the prominent peak behind the Corran Ferry. Walked 2km west to the main 734m summit and descended south-east along the An t-Socach ridge. Road back from Keil to the car. Fine circular walk with craggy terrain and numerous corries. A wild and remote setting despite proximity to civilisation. Saw a herd of about 50 red deer just below Beinn na Cille.
20^th September	Creag Gharbh, Loch Tay.	G1	G57	Walked the Rob Roy Way from Ardeonaig to the radio mast then traversed across to Creag Gharbh. Inspected several old shielings on Tom na Moine on the outward route. Returned due east to the path, visiting a few more shielings on Allt an Tuim Bhric where a few highland cattle were grazing. Warm, sunny day with cold breeze at the trig. Superb views of Ben Lawers and the Tarmachan Ridge.
27^th September	Mid Hill (Beinn Dubh), Luss.	G1	G58	Fine, circular walk around Glen Striddle. Walked the Glen Luss road towards Luss then climbed the south-east ridge of Beinn Dubh. Continued anti-clockwise to the main summit then descended the south-east ridge of Mid Hill. Good view of the Lomond islands. Overcast day with sunny intervals.
4^th October	Beinn na Gucaig, Lundavra.	G1	G59	Parked near the outflow of Lochan Lunn Da-Bhra and gained the high ground over Glas Charn and Sron Gharbh. Walked south-west to the summit trig then retraced the outward route via the northern top of Meall nan Cleireach. Dry, sunny day with cold wind high up. Ben Nevis in cloud all day but all lower hills clear of cloud and even a few Munros cleared for a while.
11^th October	Meall Odhar, Tyndrum.	G1	G60	Interesting little hill in a fine setting as part of the extended Ben Lui group. Used the zig-zag miner’s track to ascend from Tyndrum. Followed the ridge from Sron nan Colan to the outcrop at Drochaid an Droma then proceeded directly to the summit. Returned on the outward route. Fine day with intermittent cloud on all the main summits. Saw a single carriage steam train depart Tyndrum Upper Station for Rannoch Moor and beyond.
8^th November	Carn a’ Ghille Chearr, Hills of Cromdale.	G1	G61	Sunny day with cold breeze on the tops. Parked in Strath Avon and ascended from Balnalon over Reidh Lean and Carn Eachie. Visited trig and cairn/shelter to east. Direct descent from Carn Eachie to Balnalon track. Saw several mountain hares in winter coats and a pair of golden eagles.
15^th November	Ciste Buide a’ Claidheimh, (Shee of Ardtalnaig), Loch Tay.	G1	G62	Parked opposite Achomer and followed the track through Claggan farm to the north top of the Shee. Had lunch in a large cleft in the hillside (Bual a’ Claidheimh), sheltered from the cold wind. Descended south-east from the main top to visit shielings then walked the Gleann a’ Chilleine track to Claggan. Sunny day with cold wind. Passing mist around the south top created Brocken Spectre with glory.
23^rd November	Creagan a’ Chaise, Hills of Cromdale.	G1	G63	Anti-clockwise circuit of the Milton Burn on a cold, sunny day. Ascended An Sgoran from Milton Steading, joining the main ridge at the Coronation Cairn^1. Walked south-west to the trig and Jubilee Cairn^2 on the main summit, returning to Milton over Carlag and past the bothy. Saw a few mountain hares. Note1: Coronation Cairn commemorates the crowning of King Edward VII & Queen Alexandra in 1902. It was erected by the people of Cromdale on site of Coronation bonfire which was lit by Miss McGregor of Balmenach, 9th August 1902. Note 2: Cairn commemorates Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee, built in 1887.
29^th November	Meall Dearg, Glen Cochill, Aberfeldy.	G1	G64	Thick mist all day from road to summit. Joined the old military road at White Cairn and walked to the township ruins astride the track at grid ref: 897426. Compass bearing to Loch Fender but couldn’t see any of it except immediate shore. Climbed Meall Dearg’s western slopes from loch. Direct descent to track past a pair of well-preserved shielings at grid ref: 899416.
6^th December	Meall nan Eagan, Dalwhinnie.	G1	G65	Cold, windy day with plenty of drizzle but good visibility. Ascended the pylon track to the bealach north of Carn na Ceardaich and made a direct ascent from there. Descended south-east to return along the rather pleasant Allt an t-Sluic track. Good view across to the declivities of Dirc Mhor and Dirc Bheag on the The Fara.
13^th December	Carn Gorm, Cannich.	G1	G66	Climbed from Cannich as the intended route from Craskie was inaccessible due to icy road. Parked near Invercannich and followed the track north along the Allt Coilltie. Continued northwards after the track faded out picking the least tedious route through snow-covered tussocks. Viewed iced-up Loch Coir’ an Uillt Ghuibhais from near summit. Direct descent southwards to locate the outward track for the return. Mostly sunny day with good visibility and snow down to road level.
20^th December	Beinn a’ Mheadhoin, Glen Affric.	G1	G67	Short walk for almost the shortest day. Parked at the mouth of Gleann nam Fiadh and accessed the hill from the track. Followed the east ridge to the 552m point then descended north to cross the Allt na h-Imrich. Footpath east to the road for the return. Good weather with hazy distant views but excellent mountain scenery up Gleann nam Fiadh and south of Loch Affric. Mostly wet snow underfoot with significant snow covering evident on the Munros.