


Since my last report I’ve had a day out on the Glen Lyon horseshoe, dealing with some unfinished business on Meall na Aighean. This was then followed by an aborted attempt on Beinn Bhuidhe, which found me in “can’t be a****d” mode and a bit of a snow shower gave me just the excuse I needed to turn back




Bhuidhe was then followed by a foray into Glen Carron and the Munros of Sgurr a’Chaorachain and Sgurr Choinnich


It was the Eastern Fannaichs which had recently given pigeon a kicking. So, thanks to pigeon for planting the seed of a walk in my head. I hope this report can provide the encouragement to return and finish the job off


Not that I was that hopeful when I arrived at the parking area of Torran Dubh at the end of Loch Glascarnoch. Despite the forecast, which had been pretty promising, the cloud looked dark and brooding when I arrived

My departure had been slightly delayed as dark and brooding had turned into p*****g down while I was getting suited and booted

But soon enough I was off. Not down the suggested, excellent landrover track that I has completely not seen signposted. Oh no, if I was going to have a bog trot I was going to do so from the very beginning and so took the path meandering alongside the Abhainn an Torrain Duibh


Got a nice view or two of the water tumbling over the rocks, which I’m sure was worth the increasing bog I was having to endure



I probably walked in too far and had to cross the burn and head up the pathless side of the ridge where I then made my way easily onto Creag Dhubh Fannaich and ultimately my first Munro of the day Beinn Liath Mhor Fanniach.
It seemed I was being blessed on the weather front too

And there stood one of the best views of the day so far – Sgurr Mor





I did have a slight issue in descent off Beinn Liath Mhor Fanniach. In a desire to avoid the cliffs overlooking the Coireag Barr an Fhialaidh and Loch a Mhadaidh I took a line a little too far to the left and found myself on some rubbish, steep, rock and boulders. I was quick enough in putting that right and reacquainting myself with the path. It was then a good stroll over the minor blimp before a steady climb up Sgurr Mor. Passed the stone shelter along the way, but wouldn’t have fancied sheltering in it – it was full of snow

The snow on Sgurr Mor was a bit of a pain lower down. All a bit wet and soft. What with the soft ground underneath I was slipping and sliding up a fairly steep slope, so using more energy than I had expected. I was doing this walk off the back of a bout of “man flu” which had actually resulted in a very rare occurrence for me – a day’s sick leave. So I was coughing and wheezing my way up the side of Sgurr Mor at this point, contemplating calling it a day after just the two hills. Things improved nearer the top though, where the snow was compacted nicely making for good walking

The summit of the hill soon put paid to such ideas of stopping at two though










And then there were the Western Fannaichs


And then the view along the rest of the route toward Meall Gorm and An Coileachan

Decision made, I was going to continue. And I’m glad I did too. Once on the ridge it’s just a lovely stroll along to the third summit of the day, Meall Gorm

Can’t say the Meall Gorm summit set my heart on fire though

Still, I mustn’t grumble

En route I met the only person I’d met all day. We’d met initially on Sgurr Mor, which has surprised us both as we hadn’t seen or heard a soul before then. He had been descending that hill as I was arriving at its summit. We’d had a chat then and had another brief chinwag on our second meeting before I headed off on the final pull of the day.
I’m not sure if there is a path up this one, but I wasn’t on one. It was a case of making as direct a line as I could up to the summit. Not difficult, but it did involve a fair bit of boulder hopping and by now I was beginning to feel it. So it was some relief to spy the summit Tor, and as I walked onto the summit cairn. A lesson to Meall Gorm if ever there was one on what a summit cairn should actually look like

I spent a short while on this summit, sussing out the best plan of attack for my return route. I had a feeling it was going to be boggy



The actual descent wasn’t difficult, but without a path it was a case of picking my down through rocks and peat hags. So slow going at times. Still, it was a nice view of Loch Gorm

Eventually as I lost height I spied a path ahead of me, so made a beeline for it (well as much of a beeline as I could over the hag


Eventually I thought it best to cross the Abhainn a Ghiubhais Li in order to be better placed to rejoin the original path back out. So I found a suitable spot and adopted my usual river crossing style, which is to just go for it and march across. If I slip then I hope that momentum will get me across before I get too wet. It didn’t quite work this time, as the river was deeper than I had expected. The result was a couple of lovely wet feet

A few minutes later and I discover a footbridge over the water



So, with squelching boots it was on with the bog trot back to the car. It seemed to take longer than the walk in, but eventually I was back at the car.......where I discovered the sign post to the less boggy walk in

All that was left after a great day in the Fannaichs was the long drive home, where I could plan for the following weekend when MrsR was away and I was going to have the freedom of the Highlands




