Beinn na Gainimh

[U059361]

Participants: Isabel and Joe
Weather: Clear blue sky, very hot in the sun, breezy till later in the afternoon when it got stronger.
Route: road, Farm track, worn footpath, open hillside.
Wildlife: Buzzards, mountain hares (still white but starting to change)
Special Interest: Creag Grianain with its pillar of rock overlooking Lochan a Mhuilinn

Parked the car at Newton Bridge where there are lots of parking spaces. We followed the right of way till we came to a track going up the hill on the right beside Conichan Castle. We stopped for lunch, it being that time and sat beside the burn under some trees for shade.

The track up towards Conichan Castle the bump on the left.

After our pieces and coffee we walked up the track to its highest point and here there is a faint path straight up to the ridge, just behind the castle crags. At the top turned left and visited both cairns. Great views, but now windy, taking
edge off the sun.

The first of many hares on the track up, but most on Geal Charn.

Cairn on the castle nearest Glen Almond

The other cairn looks like a standing stone.

From here it is a very faint path indeed to Beinn na Gainimh but most of the climbing is done.

The path with Sron Bealaidh and Beinn na Gainimh in the background

Looking up Glen Almond beyond Auchnafree

Walked over to the fence to see over to Coire a Chearcaill and the hill Meall nam Fuaran which we walked last year.

Meall nam Fuaran and the corrie

Looking down the fence line to Creag Grianain

Looked over to Creag Grianain and could see the fence going all the way down and across it, cutting off the top and the cairns. Its meant to be electrified, but it doesn't look in great condition. Will have to cross it to get to the top, but we'll wait till over there to try.Didn't take long to get over the other side of glen and found a large boulder beside the fence that allowed us to jump over the electric fence. Just have to chance it getting back over to go back.

The cairn at side of the Creag, looking up Glen Lochan

The Creag met my expectations, being a fantastic outlook over Glen Lochan to Loch Freuchie and beyond. Opposite is the corrie and the patchwork heather. Sat here a while drinking in the view and some water and eating an apple.

The creag with its stand alone pillar.

Panorama of the view from the Creag. Lochan a Mhuilinn and Loch Freuchie

Eventually got back up and walked over to the fence and stepped over a broken part of it. No jolt so maybe no lecky after all. At the end of the creag, cut over onto side of Corry Henzie and contoured up slowly towards Geal Charn.

Looking back to the Creag from the corrie

Eventually saw the fence again and walked over to follow it over the top then left it going right along a faint track going down the Allt a Bharnie. Left this when it stayed high, dropping height to get closer to the burn where it joins Glen Almond. Heather, grass and boggy bits to be gone through but nothing to slow us down. On reaching sight of the end of the burn, a deer fence is reached. Crossed the burn then walked over top and away from the fence heading over very stony slopes losing height till back on the track again.

Back into the main glen, above the deer fenced forest plantation

Walked back to the car. Another walk off the todo list, worth it too.