Lorna’s Mountains 2015
Date:	Where:	Munro (M)		Notes:
		Corbett (C)
		Graham (G)
		No:	Total:
17^th January	Carn Daimh, Glen Livet.			Parked in Clash Wood, Tomnavoulin on a cold, sunny day with snow underfoot. Followed the way-marked signs past Westertown to join the Speyside Way on Cairn Ellick. Proceeded north-west to summit view-point indicator, returning on direct footpath to Westertown. Sunny, snowy hills visible in all directions.
24^th January	Ben Vrackie, Pitlochry.			Repeat Corbett on a superb winter’s day. Cold wind but blue sky and sunshine with compacted snow on the route. Walked the popular tourist path from Moulin. Crampons required for the final leg to the summit. Good view of the snowy Beinn a’ Ghlo range.
31^st January	Meall a’ Bhuachaille, Aviemore.			Fresh snow at all levels, hence the choice of this hill as an easy access option. Second ascent of this Corbett, 10 years after the first. Parked near the snow-gates in Glen More and followed the Allt Ban track past Glenmore Lodge to Lochan Uaine and the Ryvoan bothy. Numerous people sheltering within. Direct ascent of the hill from here, returning to an empty Ryvoan bothy. Very pleasant snowy walk between the car and the bothy. Increasingly fierce conditions higher up with north wind and spindrift. Severe wind chill.
11^th April	Loch Muick, Ballater.			Completed a circuit of Loch Muick with a detour up the higher ground to Dubh Loch. Spectacular setting. Sunny day with brisk wind, very cold and windy at the upper loch. Brief shower of hail/snow/sleet descending the high gound. Sunny finish along Loch Muick.
18^th April	Beinn a’ Mhuinidh, Kinlochewe.	G1	G68	Very sunny day with all tops clear of cloud. Walked the path from Incheril towards Loch Maree and climbed to the Allt na Still waterfall. Climbed a grassy gully to get through the crags, proceeding north and east to summit. Superb views of mountains in all directions. Descended south to the head of the Allt Chnaimhean ravine and followed an animal trod to safe ground and the outward track. Saw a few feral goats and some lizards.
25^th April	Binnein Shios, Glen Spean.	G1	G69	Poor forecast but lovely day with cold wind. Walked a clockwise circuit from the river crossing near Moy. Followed the track along Loch Laggan to reach the wide bealach south-west of the hill. Walked the ridge then returned towards the bealach, dropping south-east to reach the causeway across Lochan na h-Earba. Direct return on track along lochan. Fine views of snowy Munros in all directions.
2^nd May	Blath Bhalg, Pitlochry.	G1	G70	Parked at the radio transmitter and walked east to the main ridge at Dalnacarn Craig. Followed the ridge over two minor tops to the summit. Descended northwards to an old wooden shooting bothy and followed the track to Dalnacarn. Short walk up the Glen Brerachan road to the car. Overcast day with cold wind and two very brief light hail showers. Considerable snow visible on distant Munro tops.
16^th May	Carn Mhic an Toisich & Meall a Chrathaich.	G2	G72	Clockwise circuit from Bhlaraidh near Invermoriston. Cold wind, mostly clear with a couple of snow showers. Hazy views of distant snowy hills. Three anemometer masts indicate wind farm may soon destroy this wild landscape. Other wind farms visible throughout the day.
23^rd May	Badandun Hill, Glen Isla.	G1	G73	Lovely sunny day becoming slightly overcast late afternoon. Walked a circular route from Little Forter heading north on the track to Fergus. Visited Dail na Sneachd ruined township and liberated a lamb stuck down a cattle grid. Followed tracks to Craig Lair, Badandun Hill and Cuingard, returning on a short section of the Cateran Trail. Saw a very large herd of deer roaming the hills.
6^th June	Hunt Hill, Glen Esk, Edzell.	G1	G74	Fierce wind with squally showers followed by bright sunshine. Strong wind persisted throughout the walk. Followed the track through Kirkton and past Loch Lee to the foot of Hunt Hill. Turned south-west into the gorge passing the Falls of Unich and Falls of Damff. Walked north to the summit then north-east to the primitive bridge across the Water of Lee. Visited small bothy in Glen Lee on the return.
13^th June	Cat Law & Corwharn, Glen Prosen.	G2	G76	Overcast day with occasional light shower and wet cloud. Brightened later to give good views across to Cat Law and Glen Clova hills. Walked a clockwise circuit of Glen Uig from Easter Lednathie taking in Cat Law, Cormaud, Hill of Glendye, Tarapetmile, Corwharn, Hill of Adenaich, Finlet and Broom Hill.
20^th June	Beinn Damhain, Glen Falloch.	G1	G77	Parked opposite Glen Falloch Farm and walked the track into the Lairig Arnan. Crossed the Allt Arnan and followed the minor burn up to Lochan Beinn Damhain. Climbed westwards through increasingly craggy terrain to reach the small summit cairn. Descended southwards to outflank the crags then returned to the outflow of the lochan. Limited summit views due to cloud but cloud cleared on descent to give a very sunny end to the walk.
12^th July	Meall Garbh, Dalmally.	G1	G78	Walked the hill path connecting Glen Strae and Glen Kinglass to the head of the pass (Lairig Dhoireann). Traversed north-east and climbed Meall Beithe and Meall Garbh. Descended to the connecting bealach and walked roughly southwards to pick up the Beinn Lurachan ridge for the return. Interesting walk but long slog with occasional cloud and light drizzle obscuring views. Located two shieling sites, saw many frogs and a few lizards. Beinn Eunaich provided spectacular backdrop to the walk.
18^th July	Hill of Wirren, Edzell.	G1	G79	Nice clear day but very windy. All tops clear of cloud. Walked from Bridgend up the Shank of Ledmanie towards the summit. Visited the site of an aircraft wreck^1 just south of the trig. Descended westerly to visit a second crash site^2 then proceeded eastwards to East Wirren. Returned south and west to the outward route. Visited White Caterthun iron age fort before setting off home. 1. B-24 Liberator KG857, crashed 17 Oct 1944, 7 airmen killed, 4 survived. 2. Bristol Beaufort AW242, crashed 8 Mar 1942, 4 airmen killed, no survivors.
1^st August	Fiarach, Dalrigh, Tyndrum.	G1	G80	Walked the track from Dalrigh up Gleann Auchreoch as far as the forest gate then turned left uphill. Followed the fence-line past Lochan Fiarach to the summit cairn on the dolerite outcrop. Returned on the outward route with a minor deviation around Lochan Fenella for view down Strath Fillan. Cloud-free walk but wet and windy with sunny finish. Good views of surrounding hills as cloud cover fluctuated on their summits.
9^th August	Meall nan Gabhar, Succoth, Dalmally.	G1	G81	Walked the old Dalmally to Inverarnan drove road past Succoth and along the pylon line to the Airigh a’ Chaorainn shielings. Evidence of six or seven structures still visible here. Proceeded south to the end of the crags to climb Meall nan Tighearn from the south. Continued to the south and north tops of Meall nan Gabhar then descended west to the track out. Much devastation due to forestry work and hydro scheme. Occasional drizzle and cloud but reasonable visibility for much of the day.
16^th August	Beinn Suidhe, Bridge of Orchy.	G1	G82	Warm sunny day with all tops clear of cloud. Followed the track along the northern bank of the Abhainn Shira from Victoria Bridge to Loch Dochard. Ascended from shielings at the foot of Coire Fearna directly to the summit. Proceeded to the north-eastern top then descended east from the bealach. Traversed northwards then downhill through woodland to the outward track. Superb views of the Blackmount and Starav hills throughout the day.
23^rd August	Beinn Dearg Mhor, Sligachan, Skye.	G1	G83	Hot, sunny day with distant haze and strong wind. Walked the boggy path from Sligachan to Sron a Bhealain then continued up Druim na Ruaige to the twin cairns of Beinn Dearg Mheadhonach. Followed the ridge to the summit and returned on the outward route to minimise the scree. Hazy views of main Cuillin but good views of the Marsco/Blaven group.
30^th August.	Cnap Cruinn, Glen Spean.	G1	G84	Overcast day with brief light shower but sunshine later. Intermittent cloud on the neighbouring Munros. Walked from Inverlair along the Allt Laire track to climb the hill from the north-east. Continued along the broad ridge to Beinn Chlianaig and the twin cairns beyond the summit. Direct return over Beinn Chlianaig to the outward track at the forest edge. Visited Cille Choirille church after the walk.
6^th September	Meall Tairbh, Inveroran, Bridge of Orchy.	G1	G85	Clear, sunny day with pleasant breeze. Walked a clockwise circuit from the Inveroran Hotel over Ben Inverveigh and Meall Tairbh. Superb scenery.
12^th September	Binnein Shuas, Glen Spean.	G1	G86	Easy hill but fierce wind and drizzle made for a tedious ascent. Interesting hill with large rocky outcrops towards the summit.Top clear of cloud but very restricted views.
20^th September	Beinn Donachain, Glen Orchy.	G1	G87	Dull overcast day, almost autumnal, with light rain shower at start and end of walk. Summit clear of cloud but several neighbouring hills obscured. Ascended the old stalker’s path from Catnish footbridge to Creag Ghlas then followed main ridge to Cruach nan Nighean and Beinn Donachain. Good view of Corbett Beinn Mhic Mhonaidh to the North. Explored a few summit cairns then returned past Heart Loch to the outward route.
26^th September	Beinn Bhalgairean, Succoth, Dalmally.	G1	G88	Plain hill but very pleasant after the hydro and forestry devastation on the lower slopes. Approached on the southern Eas a’ Ghaill track into Coire Lair to access the open hill through a fire break in the woodland. Dull day with much cloud on surrounding hills. Interesting view across to Beinn Donachain (see G87).
4^th October	Marsco, Sligachan, Skye.	G1	G89	Sunny day with distant haze and cool wind. Excellent mountain scenery. Walked part way up Glen Sligachan then diverted left into Coire Dubh Measarroch. Followed the old fence-line south to reach the main ridge then proceeded north-west to the summit. Returned on the outward route.
11^th October	Beinn Mhic Chasgaig, Glen Etive.	C1	C177	Bright start, dull later with light shower to finish. Clear summit with most neighbouring hills also clear of cloud. Pleasant riverside approach in a mountainous setting. Accessed from the notorious (previously locked) gated bridge at Alltchaorunn. Crossed a surprisingly stable single-plank bridge over the Allt Coire Ghiubhasan gorge and followed the river towards Coire Odhar to climb the hill from the south-east. Descended to the bealach to avoid slimy slabs on the return.
18th October	An Ruadh-mheallan, Torridon.	G1	G90	Dull, overcast day but all tops clear of cloud. Superb mountain scenery plus Skye and the Western Isles. Parked high on the Bealach na Gaoithe and approached from there. Descended east along the wide ridge then down into An Reidhe-choire. Visited several shielings along the course of the Abhainn Alligin.
31^st October	Rubha an Dunain, Glen Brittle, Skye.			Coastal walk to the remote peninsula of Rubha an Dunain. Visited scattered township ruins and other sites of archaeological interest including the cave, Dun, Loch na h-Airde canal and burial cairns. Dry, sunny afternoon with fine coastal scenery. Cuillin and distant islands obscured by clouds.
14^th November	Beinn na h-Eaglaise, Torridon.	G1	G91	Circular walk from Annat. Cold day, overcast with very little cloud on summits. Snow underfoot towards the summit and beyond. Crossed the Allt Coire Roill to approach from the West. Followed the main ridge down to the path at Loch an Eoin and used this to return to Annat. Excellent views of surrounding hills. Remote Loch an Eoin in fine setting.
22^nd November	Beinn a’ Chearcaill, Loch Maree.	G1	G92	Parked near Bridge of Grudie and followed the footpath up Glen Grudie as far as Coire Briste. Walked the path up this coire onto the high ground then made directly for the summit. Returned on the outward route. Snow underfoot on the higher ground. Enjoyed superb views of the surrounding hills until most were obscured by light snow showers.
12^th December	Creag Ruadh, Dalwhinnie.	G1	G93	Cold sunny day, no wind and snow down to road level. Excellent visibility giving distant views of snowy mountains. Walked from Cuaich to the second aqueduct crossing then turned North to follow the grouse butts to the high ground. Continued over the summit along the broad North-East ridge till it flattened out just after the 644m Druim nan Sac top. Descended East to the track and the return past Loch Cuaich.
19^th December	Creag Dhubh, Glen Spean.	G1	G94	Short walk for the shortest hill-walking day of the year. Wet and windy but summit clear of cloud. Hazy distant views. Direct approach and return from Cille Choirill church, Brae Lochaber.