ahukippax wrote:I walked the Scottish National Trail ( which latterly follows the Cape Wrath trail ) last September and out of all the 30 days it took, I would say my favourite was the day from Morvich to the Bealach Bearnais where I camped. Admittedly, the weather was very good, but it is a wonderful rugged and remote section. There is a real feeling of openness and wilderness as you head past Iron Lodge to Maol Buidhe bothy and past Loch Calavie. There is the odd section of rough path but also some decent tracks where you can relax and take in the wonderful surroundings. I plan to return to Maol Buidhe bothy for an overnight stay.
But then again. Who knows, maybe the alternative route is equally beautiful. That is the great thing about exploring these remote areas of Scotland.
The one thing I wondered about this route is that to get from Maol Bhuidhe bothy to the Bealach Bearnais, you have to cross the Allt an Loin fhiodha and the Allt Loch Calavie. How easy are these to cross in the absence of a very wet spell, and what is the pathless ground like between the bothy to loch Calavie? Am I correct in thinking Bendronaig lodge is also a bothy and an alternative place to stay overnight?
Not sure I would be keen camping on the Bealach Bhearnais. The col is aligned almost perfectly with the prevailing wind direction, and it looks like enhancement of wind speed from funnelling up the glen and over the saddle could potentially result in a rough night.