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Munros: Carn Dearg.
Grahams: Creag Liath.
Date: 23/07/2022.
Distance: 21km.
Ascent: 1000m.
Time: 7 hours.
Weather: Grey and claggy for the most part - occasional drizzle.
I'd agreed to walk somewhere with David today - initially he has suggested Carn a Glas-choire but after a bit more discussion we agreed on a longer, more interesting walk. Weather was not looking tremendous but there was a chance we wouldn't get wet so we met at the end of the road at Glen Banchor. As a Marilyn bagger (how sad
), David wasn't concerned with the non-Marilyn Munros and had his sights set on Carn Dearg and Creag Liath. These form a nice-looking circuit with not too much high ground for a claggy day like today, so this seemed like a good bet.
We strolled along Glen Banchor past Glenballoch - I wondered if this had still been inhabited on when I had walked through here in about 2004 - quite possibly. The path grew less distinct after the farm and criss-crossed a new deer fence on the floodplain. We were aiming for the ruin of Dalballoch then Gleann Lochainn. We passed a french couple who had camped up at Loch Dubh the previous night - they told us that there had been some good fishing in the loch which had provided breakfast for them.
Creag Liath and Creag nan Abhag from Glen Banchor 
Allt Fhionndrigh and Creag na h-Iolaire We briefly considered having a look at Carnegie's Bothy nearby (we had tried and failed to organise a night here a few years back) but in the end we decided it was off route. The path into Gleann Lochain comes and goes, and we had probably been going a couple of hours by the time we climbed up to Loch Dubh. There had been a rather ramshackle wooden hut by the outflow 18 years ago but all that remained of this now was a couple of sections of paneled wall by the burn.
David in Gleann Lochain 
Waterfall in Gleann Lochain This was a nice place for a lunch break - thankfully despite the ominous weather there weren't any midges. There was the odd spit of rain though, and the cloud was down too far to fully appreciate the corrie. Next it was time to climb onto the ridge between Carn Macoul and Carn Dearg. This was slightly heathery lower down, but on short turf by the time we reached the col. All that remained was a steep pull up the ridge to the southern top then an easy stroll to the main summit.
Loch Dubh 
Back to Loch Dubh 
David on Carn Dearg There were a couple of tantalizing glimpses of the east-facing crags but no real views for now. We passed a couple of other guys shortly after the summit, then began descending into Gleann Ballach. Although I hadn't been this way before, I was fairly sure that there was a well-worn path this way - fortunately I was correct. My original plan had been to stay on the plateau and head south from Carn Ballach, but with no views there was little point.
Another couple of guys heading for Carn Dearg 
Carn Dearg from the head of Gleann Ballach 
Descending next to Allt Ballach As we dropped, the visibility improved a bit and we were able to get a better look at Carn Dearg. The path eventually turns into a rather poor quad-bike track and climbs slightly to cross the col to the Allt Fionndrigh. We left at this point and made the heathery ascent onto the back of Carn Liath, picking up another faint path on the ridge to the summit.
Carn Dearg 
Spiorraid an t-Seilich and Geal Charn While the outlook was still fairly grey here, we could see down Strathspey from the summit. Another break followed by a steep heathery descent of the east face landed us on a track on the east side of the Allt Fionndrigh. From there it was an easy walk past some cows back to the end of the road.
South from Creag Liath 
Strathspey from Creag Liath 
Creag na h-Iolaire 
Back up to Creag Liath 
Creag nan Abhag 
West up Glen Banchor We had a pleasant cup of tea by the cars before heading home - the distinct lack of midges was refreshing for this time of year!
