by Benaden887 » Fri Mar 26, 2021 4:04 pm
Date walked: 12/04/2003
Time taken: 8.3 hours
Distance: 23 km
Ascent: 1322m
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Strathfarrar to Strathconon. 11/04/2003 An Sidhean and Bac an Eich. 23km 1322m 8.30h
The club returns to Milton Cottage gate today with a fresh team for the Strathfarrar Munros. Some nine years since I was last here. Drove the glen eight times, today Big Neil is at the wheel with Billy Kenny and I. Alan`s heading for Strathconan`s Corbett pairing of Meallan nan Uan and Sgurr a Mhuillinn . Being Kenny and I are doing the Corbett An Sidhean, I suggest we could meet on Bac an Eich, giving him three hills, two for us and a lift back. Agreement was reach and we all set off on our travels. Bum a lift with the four group and big Neil drops us at the entrance to Monar lodge savin some 3km walking, a good start. A warm, dry day of sunshine as we pick up the pace . The old stalkers path drops then climbs thro a wee cut before curving around the N side of Loch Monar. Seems like only yesterday since I was last here but on a much colder day. Cross a final footbridge on the Coire Domhain to pause at Glen Dubh. A higher path rises some 200m NW to turn N up the black glen, now easy going. A break here so take in a ring of dun Munros sprawled around the placid dark waters of Loch Monar. Leave the path for a short pull to reach gentler wider slopes then after a time, the rocky top of An Sidhean@ 814m. Another wee break so show Kenny my route up and down Molly. Time chk then gear up. Cross a broad tableland of slate and short grass with wee lochans. Pass the eastern top to view the crags of Coire a Chrothas, a waterfall, then drop N to Sgurr Coire nan Eun; a superb viewpoint for an infant Orrin river with its lochs and crags beyond. The river was a useful marker for the old shire boundary line, now long gone. Drop NE over rough ground to a 550m col, strike uphill N over tough grass for the stone built wall and trig of Bach an Eich @ 849m. While waiting on Alan I point out Scardroy lodge tucked away at the top of loch Beannacharain. I have a book at home detailing the times, hardships and clearances on this area with many families having to start again on “the black isle”. Today it is the home and property of the Swedish Lego magnate. Alan duly appears up the steep north face and after congrats and a break for him, we descend the way he came to Inverchoran. So a good day, would have liked to have done Sithean from loch a Chlaidhaimh, thus complete my molly route, but lifes a tradeoff and I`m happy just to get Eich done. Seen enroute, umpteen wee birds, pair of Ravens or Eagles, not sure what against a bright sun. Frogs lizards and snake. Deer sheep, horses, and fish jumping. Then follows an easy drive back to the Cannich Hostel and a noisy evening.
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