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Gairich and the roaring of Glengarry

Gairich and the roaring of Glengarry


Postby Collaciotach » Sun Sep 23, 2012 9:07 pm

Munros included on this walk: Gairich

Date walked: 22/09/2012

Time taken: 5.5 hours

Distance: 15 km

Ascent: 871m

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It is a favourite place of mine Gleann a Gharaidh, full of Sealltainn (views) and Eachdraidh (history) it was also very álainn (beautiful) yesterday morning.

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Abhainn Garraidh


We stopped at the hydro dam to tackle Gairich which has changed the topography greatly since its completion in 1962 and made our way across its concrete butteress, to the path round Loch Cuaich, it is the largest rock filled dam in Scotland and an bit of an ugly beast!.

The view down the Glen was stunning and put me in mind of its rich Gaidhealachd eachdraidh

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Eirigh nan Grian moch sa mhadainn


In1640 the Covenanters led 4,000 men into Gleann a Gharaidh,to burn chapels and kill men, women and children who believed in the church being governed by Bishops.

In their rush to escape the sweeping swords of Clann Domhnaill five years later, at Inverlochy, the fleeing Covenanters attempted to swim the river to safety ,they were not successful and 1500 died on that day in January 1645 .

The Keppoch bard, Iain Lom in his poem "Blar Inbhir Lochaidh" urged the covenanters to “not forget their bonnets floating in the Lochy”, and advised them to “take swimming lessons before returning to Glengarry”......

Bha e bhoidheach ann sa 'madainn an de agus bha Gairich , uill alainn ......... the hill was looking just grand today

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Gairich


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Grian is Gairich


Bha e flúich is salach an slighe ..... tis a wet and dirty path to the hill right enough and we were glad to start making some height to "tir tioram" dry land !!

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An cu air a druim


From there the clarity was superb and the Cuaich hills of Sgurr a Mhaoraich ,Gleouraich and Spidean Mallaidh were superbly clear

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Beinnin Cuaich


agus air ais sios a Gharraidh ..... also down the Garry

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Gleann a Gharraidh


The ridge soon opens up a fierce grand view all round and the country of Na Garbh Criochan and Gleann Ceann a 'Ciche and over to Nevis

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Ghlinne a Ceann a Ciche


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Lochaber a Deas


We were soon "air a mhullach" or on the Cárn and still the clarity was superb it was cold mind and i could see patches of fresh snow here and there on the mountains of Ceann Talla to the North

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Air a Mhullach


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Na Garbh Criochan


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Sgurr Mor


After an hour or so mooching about the summit and with a biting cold wind, we made our way down satisfied with another fine day in the Gaidhealtachd.

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Loch Cuaich is Tir Garaidh


The empty lands of the Gharaid have been much written over, by many ,however none describe her essence as the human eachdraidh of the Gaidheal and as Sileas na Ceappaich wrote

Guidheam t’ anam a bhith sàbhailt
On a chàireadh anns an ùir thu;
Guidheam sonas air na dh’fhàg thu
Ann ad àros ’s ann ad dhùthaich:
Gum faic mi do mhac ad àite
Ann an saidhbhreas ’s ann an cùram:
Alasdair à Gleanna Garadh,


Cheerie a nis
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Collaciotach
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Re: Gairich and the roaring of Glengarry

Postby rockhopper » Sun Sep 23, 2012 9:32 pm

Was a wee bit further north of you yesterday and what a cracking day it turned out to be - very clear photos and I do like the first two with the mist and sun - yet to get to the hills in this area but maybe next year - cheers :)
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Re: Gairich and the roaring of Glengarry

Postby Bod » Sun Sep 23, 2012 9:43 pm

What a glorious day and a lovely set of photos, especially the third last one there :D :D :D
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Re: Gairich and the roaring of Glengarry

Postby LeithySuburbs » Sun Sep 23, 2012 10:30 pm

What a great looking day :) . Some cracking pics 8) . Wish I could have been out this weekend :( :(
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Re: Gairich and the roaring of Glengarry

Postby Johnny Corbett » Mon Sep 24, 2012 1:10 pm

A cracking day for this one, it must have some of the best views i've ever seen and take away the bog at the start and it would be a perfect final Munro :D
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Re: Gairich and the roaring of Glengarry

Postby Graeme D » Mon Sep 24, 2012 1:48 pm

Magnifique! Wunderbar! Estupendo! Sorry my Gaidhealachd isn't up to scratch. :( Really should do something about that....... :shock:
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Re: Gairich and the roaring of Glengarry

Postby quoman » Mon Sep 24, 2012 7:33 pm

Smashing photo's and report Collaciotach
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Re: Gairich and the roaring of Glengarry

Postby kevsbald » Mon Sep 24, 2012 7:46 pm

Mara khosht! Fabulous. Love the way you are trying to educate us as well. Ha mi trang.
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Re: Gairich and the roaring of Glengarry

Postby Collaciotach » Tue Sep 25, 2012 7:16 am

kevsbald wrote:Mara khosht! Fabulous. Love the way you are trying to educate us as well. Ha mi trang.



Moran Taing a bhalaich :D that total of yours is fair creeping up :D
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Re: Gairich and the roaring of Glengarry

Postby juhso » Tue Sep 25, 2012 7:48 am

Lovely photos and a reminder of why I like walking in the Spring and autumn - no midges, no clegs, changing light,
fewer people.

Do you have a translation of the poem by any chance?
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Re: Gairich and the roaring of Glengarry

Postby monty » Tue Sep 25, 2012 9:03 am

Nice report Collaciotach, love the story of the Covenanters. Loch Quoich brings back fond memories of 4 years ago this month when I kick started my Munro round with a 3 day camp bagging the 4 Munros around this loch Gairich being the last one. Done in a freezing rain storm on my own :lol:
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Re: Gairich and the roaring of Glengarry

Postby dogplodder » Tue Sep 25, 2012 10:35 am

Great pics! Had a similar cracking day in May when up here with Kath on the occasion of her bringing two left boots. She was so determined not to waste the long drive she just did it anyway! :wtf: :lol:
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Re: Gairich and the roaring of Glengarry

Postby basscadet » Tue Sep 25, 2012 11:16 am

Oh I'm glad I didn't miss this report, such beautiful photos, and a nice history lesson.. Loved it! :clap:
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Re: Gairich and the roaring of Glengarry

Postby Collaciotach » Wed Sep 26, 2012 8:42 pm

basscadet wrote:Oh I'm glad I didn't miss this report, such beautiful photos, and a nice history lesson.. Loved it! :clap:


S 'e do bheatha a ' chaileag :wink:
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Re: Gairich and the roaring of Glengarry

Postby Bruno » Wed Sep 26, 2012 11:47 pm

Another beauty, Colla. Perfect balance of pictures and words.
This is a trully beautiful part of Scotland.
Many thanks
Iain
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