Uneventful drive up, parked in the Glenbranter forestry car park and set off along the track. I did see some signs warning of weather and forestry work but, as they didn't mention the Cowal Way (I think...), I kept going....in hindsight, they did mention the Glenbranter loop which I think may have referred to me.
After just under 2km, I came to an abrupt stop. The bridge over the Allt Robuic had disappeared.
I went as close to the edge as I dared to take a photo then retreated to have a think.
I tried following a track alongside the allt down to the SE but it then started diverging - couldn't see any viable option for crossing the water and getting up the other side. Back up to the main track after having a look closer to where the bridge used to be. Normally there's an option to go NW up past the waterfall but a warning sign also said that it was closed off. On my WR for the last Cowal trip, prog99 had posted a note about an alternative approach from the west at Garvie which fell mostly on the same OS map sheet. I now had a plan B.
Back to the car then drove up to Strachur and down the A886 to Garvie Farm. I managed to park on the verge so as not to obstruct farm traffic. However, just to be sure, I popped up to the farm and asked the farmer if it was OK to park there - fine with him so I was good to go.
Walked up the track which is also part of the Cowal Way.
A little after a sharp bend taking me NE and just before the trees to the east of the track started, I found a faint ATV track and headed off eastwards. The track didn't really last long after which I was on to grassy, choppy ground.
Aimed to stay to the left of the trees in the next photo
After the trees I just kept going until reaching some steeper ground. Started to contour round to the north and then gained the ridge. The clag was down from about the 500m height mark so couldn't really see much. It had got quite a bit windier and there was light rain on and off but couldn't be bothered stopping to put on waterproofs. Just followed the ridge until I got to the highest point. Couldn't find a cairn so wandered around the various higher areas to be certain.
Didn't hang around much as it was getting chilly and there was no sign of the clag clearing. Aimed downwards and westwards until I was out of the clag. Stayed relatively high until I spotted a break in the trees then followed it back down to the main Cowal Way track.
Then it was just a case of following the track back to the car. Said hello to some forestry people who had stopped for their lunch. Needless to say, the weather started brightening up lower down.
Back to car, changed out of my boots then set off home. Not the route I'd planned but it turned out to be very straightforward and quick which was good given the time I'd lost at the start.
