free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
Meall nam Maigheach 779m
A first for me - a report on the same day as the walk!!
This is a hill which I had marked off in the book to be done on day exactly like today!!
Last weekend I was bed bound due to catching the dreaded Norovirus and I did not get out of my bed until Wednesday
. I still was not feeling anything like 100% today and was unsure as to whether it was wise to go hiking. However I then remembered about this little hill and my mood changed. Only a small hike and perfect to get me out and about! The only down side is that to get to this hill, you must drive the car up the small and twisting single track road which goes past the Lawers NTS visitor centre. With there reportedly being lots of snow the day before, I was slightly worried about not getting very far and getting stuck in the snow, however I thought I would have a look and see what condition the road was in (plan B would be to park in Glen Ogle and head up Creag Mac Ranaich).
So after much debating, I finally left the house at 10.30am (latest yet and in December!!) reaching the parking spot beside the green roadside hut at 12ish. On reaching the single track road I found that it was fine – that was until the last 1km past the loch where it was little nerve wracking!! (more so on the way home as this part was uphill!!).
The forecast was for cloudy hills and gale force winds on the tops. As I got ready it started to rain/sleet. It rained/sleeted lightly for most of the walk and the wind did indeed increase with height!! However I was glad to be out and the cobwebs were being blown away. I took my time heading up (the ground was still frozen solid and the frozen tufts of grass and heather made walking a bit troublesome heading up). The snow however was certainly not frozen and I lost my legs a few times down some holes!! Anyway finally got to the summit for 13.00 and had a bite to eat. Then headed off as the weather was closing in. Took no time at all to get back down.
Then came the biggest test of the day – getting the car along the icy/snow bound part of the road back past the loch, a few wobbles and skids here and there but the car did ok and got me home for 15.30.
Can recommend this as short walk as you start at 500m there is less than 300m ascent and the views on a good day must be awesome. Perhaps an evening walk in the summertime?????
Not too many photo opportunities today- just a few......
![DSC04417.JPG]()
- start and hut - 500metres!!
![DSC04423.JPG]()
- brooding
![DSC04431.JPG]()
- sepia
![DSC04437.JPG]()
- lochan
