Lorna’s Mountains 2019
Date:	Where:	Munro (M)		Notes:
		Corbett (C)
		Graham (G)
		No:	Total:
5th January	An Groban, Gairloch.			A very pleasant short walk for a short winter’s day. Parked at the cemetery and took the path from there to Flowerdale House. Continued on the way-marked “waterfall walk” past the waterfall and up to a ruined structure on the hillside. A feint path continued from here all the way to the summit cairn. Returned on this outward route to a footbridge just above the waterfall then continued on this side of the river to the “Blind piper of Gairloch” monument. Diverted just beyond here onto the way-marked “harbour path” and followed it to The Old Inn and the road back to the car. Cloudy and overcast but dry.
12^th January	Poolewe to Kernsary circuit.			A tame walk for a short, wet and windy day. Parked at Inverewe Gardens and followed the footpath out along the north shore of Loch Kernsary. Crossed the river at Kernsary then returned on the Inveran track. Visited the old burial ground and Pictish Stone in Poolewe.
19^th January	Carn na Drochaide, Inverey.			Parked in Inverey and walked the track up Glen Ey. Visited the Colonel’s Bed (Colonel Farquharson’s sanctuary in a ravine) and various township and farmstead ruins. Crossed the Ey Burn half way up the glen and made for a hillside track which started just past further ruins. The track ascended towards a bealach which gave access to the wide summit ridge. Descended north-west from the summit to locate a track which followed the Corriemulzie Burn back to the road and a short walk back to the car. Cold, but very pleasant day with a thin covering of snow. Encountered a cloud inversion towards the summit with various hills and radio masts protruding through a 360º blanket of cloud.
26^th January	Loch Faskally circuit, Pitlochry.			Parked at Loch Dunmore in Faskally Wood. Followed forest paths to the Clunie footbridge then continued south to visit the Faskally dam. Returned to the footbridge then walked the minor road past the Priest’s Stone to the Linn of Tummel and the Coronation footbridge. Crossed here to follow riverside paths along the Tummel and Garry to the footbridge north of the Garry road bridge. Crossed here then returned south on the riverside path. Rainy day with frequent dry spells.
2^nd February	Meall an t-Suidhe, Glen Nevis.			Accessed from the Glen Nevis Visitor Centre via the Ben Nevis tourist path. Watched many hill-walkers going up and down the zig-zags on the western face of the Ben. Beautiful sunny day with snow at all levels.
9^th February	Gleann an t-Slugain, Braemar.			Parked at Keiloch and walked the road and tracks past Invercauld House then continued on the path up the glen. Progressed a short distance beyond the ruined shooting lodge for views out towards Beinn a’ Bhuird. Returned on a short section of track above the lodge which joined the outward path back. Pleasant day considering the very wet and windy forecast. Plenty of snow underfoot but large areas with poor coverage or bare. Plenty of snow visible on the high tops.
16^th February	Cnap Coire na Spreidhe, Northern Cairngoirms.			Repeat of walk undertaken in December 2008. Parked at the Coire na Ciste ski carpark and walked the footpath north-east past Lochan na Beinne. Ascended an un-named 737m top then followed the Sron a’ Cha-no ridge over the 1028m top to the summit plateau. Descended towards the Allt na Ciste to locate the footpath down the Creagan Dubh ridge. Windy on the tops with occasional cloud towards the Northern Corries but good visibility elsewhere. Clear view of distant Loch Etchachan from the summit.
9^th March	Meall Gorm, Inver, Braemar.			Parked on the main Deeside road at Inver then walked the minor road and tracks to the ruins of Middleton of Aberarder. Continued north-west up the Felagie Burn, passing numerous ruined dwellings, before taking a direct approach to Meall Gorm. Descended north-east to locate the track down Glen Feardar, passing Balmore and Balnoe, before re-joining the outward route. Cold, windy day with a couple of snow flurries but mostly good weather.
16^th March	Little Wyvis.			Repeat Corbett. Walked the Ben Wyvis footpath up into the Bealach Mor to climb Tom na Caillich from the south-east. Continued west then south-west to the main summit before returning northwards for a direct descent to the outward route. Overcast day with light snow showers. Very limited summit visibility.
23^rd March	Craig Fonvuick, Killiecrankie.			Parked at the Garry Bridge car park then walked up the minor road to Tenandry Church. Continued to just past Fonvuick where a superb little path led off up the hillside and around the crags. Visited a ruined farmstead with corn drying kiln then proceeded to the summit. Followed the same path north-west to descend to Balrobbie Farm and the minor road to Killiecrankie. Returned on the riverside path along the east bank of the Garry. Cool day but dry and sunny with good views from the summit cairn.
6^th April	“Secret Howff”, Cairngorms.			Mission to find the “Secret Howff” after studying satellite images of the Cairngorms. Mission accomplished. Misty day with variable snow cover depending on drift depth.
13^th April	Meall Meadhonach, Durness.			Walked the track south towards Loch Meadaidh then diverted south-east on the track to Bealach Beag and ascended the hill from there. Abandoned plans for the neighbouring hill due to a wildfire. Descended parallel to the flames and then crossed their path to return on a track which led towards Smoo Cave. Very sunny day with strong easterly wind. Visited Smoo Cave after getting changed.
20^th April	Meallan Liath, Tongue.			Limited parking so parked off-road at 55149-53719. Followed tracks and a stalker’s path south-west to climb the 502m outlier on the north-east ridge. Continued along the ridge to the main top (cairn plus spot-height) then descended south-east to the end of the outward stalker’s path. Dull day with occasional sunny spells and light rain to finish. Good views of Ben Hope and Ben Loyal. Compact hill but very craggy with mountainous feel.
27^th April	Meall Reamhar, Glen Almond.			Parked in the Sma’ Glen and walked the track a short distance west. Visited the ruined township of Craignavar (with large corn-drying kiln) then climbed the south-west ridge of the hill. Descended north-east from the trig (and small summit cairn) to a track which led down to the old military road. Used this to continue south to a bridge over the Newton Burn, built in 1730 as part of the Crieff to Dalnacardoch military road. Continued on the west bank of the burn to the outward track and the road. Rainy start to the day but mostly sunny during the walk.
4^th May	Craig Leek, Keiloch, Braemar.			Followed the track past Felagie (cottage plus ruins) to access the east ridge of Craig Leek. Visited the ruined dwellings near the foot of this ridge where horizontal sleet prevented photography. Climbed the east ridge then descended northwards to the 528m bealach. Returned on tracks down the Allt Dourie and past the estate houses and kennels at The Stables. Cold breezy day with varied mix of weather including sunshine, sleet and snow.
11^th May	Beinn Airigh Charr, Poolewe.	C1	C181	Followed the track past Inveran to just beyond the Inveran River where a footpath led south-east over the Slios Dubh. Turned eastwards after a short section of track onto a stalker’s path which led into Coire nan Dearcag and up to a high bealach. Continued to the summit via a second (669m) bealach. Returned on the outward route. Clear, sunny day with fantastic views from the summit.
18^th May	Beinn Eilde, Laggan.			Walked the track past Gallovie Farm to the Falls of Pattack. After visiting the falls, continued on the river-side track to the confluence with the Allt Beinn Eilde. Crossed the river here and climbed the wide south-west ridge of the hill. Continued northwards to the final top then descended north-west to the outward track. Cool, rainy day with low cloud on the neighbouring hills. Saw a fox on the southern slopes of the hill.
25^th May	Dunbeath Strath, Caithness.			Parked at Dunbeath Mill and walked the path up the Dunbeath Water. Viewed the site of an old monastery, visited the broch of Dun Beath then crossed the river to visit an old farmstead. Returned to the path and followed it up to Creag an Fhithich, also known as the “Prisoner’s Leap”. Joined the nearby track to continue beyond Loedebest to the white-walled cemetery, visiting numerous clearance ruins and two corn-drying kilns. Walked north from the cemetery to Cnoc na Maranaich and its two Stone Age burial cairns and Bronze Age standing stone. Returned south-east to visit two further burial cairns at Loedebest before continuing back on the outward route. Mostly dry day with bright spells.
1^st June	Beinn Iadain & Beinn na h-Uamha, Morvern.			Parked at the Aoineadh Mòr (Inniemore) township car park by Loch Arienas. Walked the road to Kinloch then the track up Coire an Tuim. Climbed Beinn Iadain via the north-west ridge then descended to the east of the southern crags. Continued across the moorland to the wide, northern ridge of the second hill and ascended it on a rising traverse leftwards through the crags. Visited the summit cairn then continued west and north along the top of the crags. At the end of the ridge descended west down the Allt Sleaghach to the road. Dull day but dry with good visibility.
15^th June	Ben Hutig, Tongue.			Parked at the small Achininver Beach parking area uphill from the bridge over the Strath Melness Burn. Crossed the bridge then took the track opposite as far as Loch na h-Uamhachd. Skirted around the north of the loch then made a direct approach to the summit trig and stone shelters. Continued northwards along the wide ridge for 1km to take in the views from the cairn there then returned to the trig. Descended south-east to a track which led to the road at West Strathan. Cool, breezy day but dry with sun later.
29^th June	Sithean Mor, Arisaig.			Parked just east of Beasdale Station on the Road to the Isles. Followed the path up Glen Beasdale to climb the hill from the south-east. Descended west from the summit to join the path down the Borrodale Burn. Followed this back to the road, a mile or so west of the start. Hot day with hazy views of distant hills.
6^th July	Ben Tianavaig, Portree, Skye.			Prominent hill opposite the Aros Centre, Portree. Started on the shore of Tianavaig Bay, taking a footpath which ran between the houses and up the south ridge of the hill. Continued northwards to outflank the crags then turned south-east to descend An Ceam Dubh down to sea-level. Returned on a coastal path which led back to the start. Overcast day with cool breeze.
14^th July	Meall Dubh, Sma’ Glen.			Clockwise circuit of 2 corries on the southern side of Glen Almond. Climbed the Creag Dubh ridge of Coire Cruinn to reach Meall Dubh then continued around Coire na Coinnich to the 745m top. Descended Sron na Chaorainn to the footbridges below and returned on the main track. Saw a couple of lizards, a few deer and several mountain hares. Hot, sunny day.
21^st July	Creag nan Gabhar, Braemar.			Repeat Corbett. Short walk from Alltamhait in Glen Clunie, south of Braemar. Followed the pleasant little path up the Allt a’ Mhaide, past a few shielings, to the bealach. Climbed the hill from here then returned on the outward route. Dull day, cold on the plateau with reasonable views of distant hills. Saw a few mountain hares.
28^th July	An Lean-Charn, Loch Eriboll, Sutherland.			Rugged hill climbed from sea-level in sweltering heat. Horse flies biting all the way there and back. Great day out but hard work. Followed a track south under the crags of Creag na Faoilinn then turned east and north to climb this outlier. Continued roughly eastwards past several lochans to the summit cairn of An Lean-Charn. Returned on a line a little south of the outward route to avoid undulating terrain and patches of bracken. Saw a ptarmigan, a stag and a couple of frogs.
17^th August	Cnoc an Fhreiceadain & Ben Tongue, Coldbackie, Sutherland.			Followed the footpath south from the telephone box in Coldbackie to An Dubh-loch. Continued north-west to the trig on the Cnoc then south-west to the cairn (and radio mast) on Ben Tongue. Returned towards the Cnoc before descending north-east under its crags to the outward path. Visited the beach before returning to the car. Short walk for a rainy day which actually turned out dry, warm and sunny.
24^th August	Deadh Choimhead, Glen Lonan, Taynuilt.			Left the road near Clachadubh on a track which forded the river and continued up through the forest. Emerged at a crag, forcing a diversion leftwards, with easier ground ahead bypassing other crags. Summit trig point apparently shattered by a lightning strike. Returned on the outward route. Warm day with sunny intervals. Short walk left time for coffee and cake in the Robin’s Nest Tearoom in Taynuilt village.
31^st August	Creag Dhubh, Gleann Eanaich.			Parked at Whitewell and walked the tracks and paths past Lochan Deo, Loch an Eilein and Loch Gamhna to the bothy at 88393-05612. Failed to locate the hill path here so tramped through horrendous undergrowth then deep heather to reach Clach Mhic Cailein (The Argyll Stone). Continued northwards over Creag Dhubh and Cadha Mor then descended east into Gleann Eanaich and the track back. Strenuous day with heavy rain and very wet clothes.
14^th September	Creag nam Ban & Sgor an h-Iolaire, Deeside.			Parked near the entrance to Dalraddie House on the south Deeside road. Walked a track south-west then followed the forest edge south-east to join an indistinct path which defied the map and led onto the bealach. Proceeded north to Creag nam Ban (with 4 cairns), reportedly the place of witch burnings in the C16th and Kitty Rankine in 1603. Continued south along the ridge to the second summit, passing a few more cairns on the way. Descended to the ruined croft at Camlet then followed the track down Glen Girnock to the road. Dry day but very breezy on the ridge.
21^st September	Crow Craigies, Jock’s Road, Braemar.			Walked Jock’s Road from Auchallater Farm, past Loch Callater, and up to its highest point on Crow Craigies (3018 feet). Returned on the outward route. Warm, sunny day with a strong breeze.
28^th September	Creag nan Eildeag, Glen Lyon.			Parked just south of Bridge of Balgie then followed the track past Meggernie Outdoor Centre to Roroyere farm. Walked a track south for 0.5km to a small path which led westwards to the Praying Hands of Mary rock formation. Continued from here up the east ridge of the hill to the twin tops. Descended southwards towards the bealach then down into Gleann Da-Eig to cross the river and join the track. Returned on the track past several shieling sites which seemed to consist of more dwellings than shielings. Dry day with sunny intervals.
5^th October	Beinn Stumanadh, Loch Loyal, Sutherland.			Parked at the northern end of Loch Loyal and followed the path to Achnanclach bothy. Continued on an ATV track into Coire Mor and up the side of Sron Ruadh. Followed the ridge from this latter top to the summit trig then descended in a north-westerly direction to return to the outward track. Dull, dry day with strong wind on the high ground. Visited the partially robbed-out burial cairn by the path along the loch.
19^th October	Glas Maol & Creag Leacach.			Repeat Munros south of Braemar near the Glenshee Ski Resort. Walked a circular route approaching Glas Maol up the Leacann Dubh ridge and over Meall Odhar. Continued south along the ridge over Creag Leacach, turning westwards and descending from the 716m bealach. A very windy day with occasional light rain but with reasonable visibility most of the time.
2^nd November	Gleann Da Ghob, Fearnan.			Rainy day walk. Planned to walk the track from Boreland near Fearnan to the shieling sites up in the glen. Navigational error resulted in having to climb rugged terrain through woodland to reach the open hillside above. Located the shieling sites too late to spend any time there but successfully returned on the track intended for the outward route. Good views of Loch Tay and the hills of lower Glen Lyon.
9^th November	Beinn Ceannabeinne, Durness.			Second attempt at this hill after being driven off by the wildfire in April. Took the same approach track as last time and climbed the hill from south to north. Re-joined the main road east of Sangobeg then walked the tarmac back to Durness. Pleasant day, cool and almost entirely dry.
23^rd November	Ben Hiel, Loch Loyal, Sutherland.			Parked at the north end of Loch Loyal and walked south-west into the coire between Creag Dhubh and Ben Hiel. Followed the south-east ridge to the small cairn marking the summit. Returned on the outward route. No paths or tracks but made use of ATV tyre marks to alleviate the rugged terrain. Dry afternoon but cloud on the hill.
30^th November	Ben Earb, Spittal of Glenshee.			Walked a short section of the Cateran Trail from Spittal of Glenshee to An Lairig. Followed the ridge from there to the trig and 802m summit. Descended the south ridge to visit the shieling site below Creag Bhreac then followed the Cateran Trail back to the car. Superb winter’s day: cold, no wind, sunny with good visibility. Giant portrait of poet Hamish Henderson visible on nearby hillside to commemorate his birthday centenary. Not pretty.
14^th December	Dun Mor, Sma’ Glen.			Short walk for a short winter’s day. Parked at Newton Bridge and climbed the north-west slopes to the 522m summit cairn. Continued south-east to the lower, named top of Dun Mor and the remains of a hillfort. Descended east to a track which led down towards the Dunie Burn then all the way back to the road above Newton Bridge. Followed a short section of old military road back to the car. Mixed weather with wind-driven sleet at the hillfort.
28^th December	Meallan nan Uan, Strathconon.			Repeat Corbett. Direct ascent of Creag Ruadh and Meallan nan Uan from Strathanmore. Discovered a couple of shielings on the ascent. Wet and windy on the high ground. Returned on the outward route.