Creag Mhor, Sutherland

[Ebby Ritchie]

I parked at Sciberscross Farm at the head of Strath Brora. The bike came in very handy for the magical 8 mile cycle to Ben Armine Lodge along a nicely make stalkers track, past some lochans and over a river. There are several paths from the Lodge. The one you want begins behind the dog kennels and courses through the forestry plantation for about a mile. It then turns up onto the hill following a lovely burn through a gully to Bealach nan Muic (the pass of the pigs). Follow the path as it turns north, revealing spectacular views for miles across the flat peatlands to the north east with Morven and Scaraben popping up to break the horizon. Turn left up the hill as the track starts to descend (at about 450m). The track takes you all the way past Ben Armine to another track leading from Loch Badanloch which emerges from the Strath of Kildonan. The heather was low and easy to walk on (though it was February!) Crossing one gully takes you onto the main 'hump' of the hill. It is broad and easy though below you to your right there is a cliffy drop off the whole way to the summit. A flattish bit gives a rest before the final haul to the summit where you can sit on the triangulation point and drink in the views of Ben Loyal, Ben Hee, Ben Klibreck, Ben Hope, Orkney and a stunning range of hills to the west and south west. I chose to make a circuit above the coire so descended via the little summit to Creag Mhor's west. It looked easy but semi frozen peat bogs between the two made it harder going than anticipated! The final descent back toears the burn you followed up in rougher than the ascent, but ok. Once I hit the burn I returned the same way I came, but not before sticking my foot in the very fast flowing burn in a failed attempt to cross it. Make your way down the 'wrong' side of the burn till you get to where the trees begin again. There is a broken but serviceable bridge! A fabulous day out in an incredibly remote spot on our first proper day of winter sunshine .