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Towards the end of 2022, I developed injuries to both shoulder rotator cuffs as well as a frozen left shoulder. Could have been linked to getting covid and flu vaccinations, one in each shoulder (first ever flu vaccination) or insulating the loft but never really worked out the source. A steroid injection earlier this year then meant that I could actually lift my left arm above shoulder height but then had to start on the exercises. My physio advised that it could take two years to clear - still a bit of an issue during the night in the left shoulder but now significantly improved.
Anyway, it meant that I couldn't put on a heavy pack let alone consider heading to the hills for many months until now. Decided to start with some shorter days and see how I got on. We were due up in Coylumbridge but my better half couldn't join until the Thursday evening so I headed up earlier then spent the preceding Monday - Thursday in the hills to the west and north west of Loch Ness.
Monday 24 July.....Beinn na MuiceArrived before 0830 at the car park beside the gate to Glen Strathfarrar and had a chat with some of the other walkers before we were allowed through the gate at 0900. Drove to the far west end of the glen a little before Loch Monar. Got ready and set off up the track to the west of the Allt Toll a'Mhuic. Higher up I picked a point close to the ridge and set off over rough ground up the hillside which was steep at times. Some photos at the top then back down more or less the same way except this time I came down a little before ascent route.
Track is only very approximate as I forgot to save the actual track on my gps
Monday 24 July.....Beinn a'MheadhoinDrove back along Glen Strathfarrar then down through Cannich to the car park at the far end of Loch Beinn a'Mheadhoin. From the car park, I took the track through the trees which goes up into Gleann nam Fiadh. Higher up I came off the main track and headed NE to the summit. On the return leg I stayed on the track down to the road then walked back to the car park.
Tuesday 25 July.....Carn a'ChaochainDrove to the Plodda Falls from where I originally intended to cycle. However, opted to attempt the rough drive to Cougie which was slow due to the surface but not too bad. Couldn't see a place to park at Cougie so drove back nearly 1km and parked to the side off the road. Walked back along to Cougie then up the track - managed initially to miss the turning to the SE - there was actually an arrow in stones to the side which I managed to miss
. Somewhat damp going up through the trees before getting into the open then continued up the path before branching off SW to the summit. Waterproofs required because of the rain. On the way down, met a walker with whom I'd been speaking the previous day at Strathfarrar. Then back down near Cougie met and chatted with a guy on horseback who was leading a small group of youngsters on horseback.
Drove back to Cannich via Tomich. Stopped to take a photo of the memorial to Lord Tweedmouth who first bred the Golden Retriever.
Tuesday 25 July.....Carn GormParked in the large layby in Cannich and set off along the road to get to the start of the hill track. The initial stage was steep going through very high ferns - fortunately an ATV had been over in the past and flattened a reasonable amount which helped quite a lot. On to open hillside needing waterproofs as the rain was coming and going before it stayed on. Just kept going over rough ground until reaching the summit.
Wednesday 26 July.....Meall a'Chrathaich & Carn Mhic an ToisichI had hoped to be able to park close to the start of the track at Blaraidh but couldn't see anywhere suitable so parked just under 1km to the west in a layby at the side of the road. Cycled back up the road to the start of the track then off up through the trees. Today's forecast was the best of the week hence the reason I'd saved it for the cycle. Steep going at times and had to get off and push occasionally - hadn't been cycling for a long time due to the shoulders. Got to Loch Liath at which point I turned to head NE. Part way up this track there was a short section off to the right which then took me up on to the main windfarm track so I cycled to the end of it beside the turbine at the 592m mark. Left the bike behind the turbine to walk the final section to the summit - just over 0.5km and about 90m ascent. Nice weather for views at the top.
Walked down to the bike then cycled back down to Loch Liath where I left the bike for the walk to Carn Mhic an Toisich. Marshy, lumpy ground at times but following the fenceline helped. Some more photos before returning by the same route to the bike. Very quick descent back to the car.
Wednesday 26 July.....Meall na FaochaigStill plenty of time left in the day so drove up through Beauly then down Strathconon and parked in the wee parking space to the left just before Inverchoran. Very glad I wasn't doing this journey the next day after hearing later about the parking issues for Belladrum. Walked along the road towards Carnoch before branching off through a gate to gain the hill track on the right. Followed the track almost to its end then left it and headed northwards through the heather to about 620m then east along the top to the summit. Nice evening - good to get at least one good day out of the four. Returned by the same route back to the car.
Thursday 27 July.....Beinn Mheadhoin (Strathconon)The good weather from the previous day didn't last and it was back into full waterproofs today. Back to Inverchoran but this time took the track southwards. Followed the walkers' detour round the buildings then up to the high point on the track after which I branched off initially up a path which ended a bit later. Clag, cloud, rain and winds on and off but managed to get some photos at the summit. Descent to the car by the same route.
Thursday 27 July.....Carn na CoinnichDrove back up the glen and parked at the parking spot just south of Bridgend at the start of the private track. Walked just over 1km westwards along the track then branched off beside a house to gain the hill track. Initially it climbs SE then more southwards. Wasn't really sure where to leave the track so continued until it started to move away from the direction I wanted. Left the track and crossed boggy, peaty ground then up to gain the ridge. Found a faint ATV track which I followed on and off to the summit. Clag at the summit and still raining on and off. Waited until it cleared a bit and took some photos. On the descent I headed further down the ridge on the ATV track before dropping down NE to gain the hill track back to the car. Then drove down to Coylumbridge to do some shopping before my better half arrived in the evening.
