Page 1 of 1

Beinn a'Chaorainn, Beinn Bhreac, Beinn Mheadhoin, Derry C

PostPosted: Sun Sep 15, 2013 2:08 pm
by gman

derryc actual.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts



Plan was to cycle from Linn of Dee to Derry Lodge & walk round from there. £2 for parking, cycle to the lodge took almost 25 mins but just over 15 on the way back. I went on the path initially then joined the landrover track, but looks like it would be possible to cycle further up the road and get straight on the track which might be quicker.

Lodge is closed up, down the hill to a green bothy with mountain rescue landrovers parked outside, one of the MR guys said most folk leave bikes locked behind the bothy. Headed up the path on the east of the stream, back to bothy:
Image

Good path leads to the cut off for Beinn Bhreac:
Image

Then a steeper climb on a faint path through heather.
Image

And boggy bits.
Image

The actual summit isn't obvious, I checked the GPS and noticed I was walking past it so detoured.
Image

South from the cairn, Beinn a'Ghlo:
Image

More boggy ground to Beinn a'Chaorainn. I didn't check the pronunciation of these hills before leaving so when I bumped into people later I either pointed or said 'the 2 on the other side of Glen Derry'. And Mheadhoin - how are you supposed to guess that?
Image

Hopping across peat hags made a'Chaorainn seem further than expected, next there's quite a drop & climb up to Mheadhoin:
Image

Summit tors:
Image

Steep descent, there's loose scree or grass/heathery bits.
Image

Looking back to the descent from a'Chaorainn:
Image

And steep heather/rocky bits on the way up Mheadhoin, I crossed the burn at some slabs about halfway up.
Image

Camera break for a view down Glen Derry.
Image

Crossed some boulders, rock has good grip here, then the summit appeared:
Image

Summit tor:
Image

a'Chaorainn looking small from this side:
Image

Macdui & Shelter Stone Crag:
Image

Easy way up the tor, round the back. Again the rock has really good grip even when wet.
Image

Good paths pretty much all the way back from here, Derry Cairngorm on the left:
Image

Shelter stone crag from another tor:
Image

Descent from Mheadhoin, busy spot down there as paths meet from Derry Cairngorm, Macdui, Glen Derry & Mheadhoin - good spot for a piper.
Image

And here he is:
Image

Image

Back to the descent from Mheadhoin:
Image

The path leads round to Macdui, couldn't see a cairn marking the point to head for Derry Cairngorm so just veered left. Soon joined a good path.
Image

Bit bouldery towards the top.
Image

Light rain showers now & turning colder, a'Chaorainn on the right & Mheadhoin on the left:
Image

Beinn a'Ghlo:
Image

Good path leads down:
Image

Carn Crom is the last top, path bypasses the summit to the left.
Image

And soon back down to the Lodge, after hopping between boulders and scrambling up tors I turned an ankle on a man made step on the path :lol: Soon walked it off after a few nervous steps.
Image

Re: Beinn a'Chaorainn, Beinn Bhreac, Beinn Mheadhoin, Derry

PostPosted: Sun Sep 15, 2013 6:34 pm
by Collaciotach
Some grand photos , nice Autumn feel to them :clap:

Whats the craic with the flag in the piper pics ? :?

Re: Beinn a'Chaorainn, Beinn Bhreac, Beinn Mheadhoin, Derry

PostPosted: Sun Sep 15, 2013 7:25 pm
by gman
Collaciotach wrote:Some grand photos , nice Autumn feel to them :clap:

Whats the craic with the flag in the piper pics ? :?


I was wondering about that as I got closer, it was flapping about in the wind but looked like it said Braemar at the top with a rose in the centre.

Re: Beinn a'Chaorainn, Beinn Bhreac, Beinn Mheadhoin, Derry

PostPosted: Sun Sep 15, 2013 7:30 pm
by Collaciotach
Ah Jacobite flag then ,thought it was :D either a re enactment society or a historical rememberance act I guess

Re: Beinn a'Chaorainn, Beinn Bhreac, Beinn Mheadhoin, Derry

PostPosted: Sun Sep 15, 2013 9:03 pm
by simon-b
Well done, getting these four in one outing, gman.

Interesting point you made about the pronunciation. I believe Beinn Bhreac and Beinn Mheadhoin have namesakes which now also have anglicised forms, Ben Vrackie and Ben Vane. Perhaps Collaciotach could confirm or correct that?

Re: Beinn a'Chaorainn, Beinn Bhreac, Beinn Mheadhoin, Derry

PostPosted: Sun Sep 15, 2013 10:45 pm
by inca
Nice pics and a good time for rattling round these four. Happened to be doing Beinn Bhreac and Beinn a' Chaorainn on the same day. Hoofed it in and out from the car park. Like you, almost turned an ankle on one of the paths higher up the glens. Has to be said not up to usual Mar estate standards - I wonder if there's a complaints procedure for such things? :wink:

Leg weary on the way back, confess I did consider mugging any one of several cheery bikers who sped past on their way to Linn of Dee. Absent a bike, trainers for a fair bit of this walk would be useful. Didn't see the piper you mentioned but did see the the MR Land Rovers. Staff seemed too upbeat for it to be anything other than an exercise.

Good day to pick for these hills all in all.

Re: Beinn a'Chaorainn, Beinn Bhreac, Beinn Mheadhoin, Derry

PostPosted: Sun Sep 15, 2013 11:28 pm
by Bod
Well done gman, impressive effort and nice pictures too. Interesting mentions of Jacobite flags :D

Re: Beinn a'Chaorainn, Beinn Bhreac, Beinn Mheadhoin, Derry

PostPosted: Mon Sep 16, 2013 9:48 am
by gman
inca wrote:Absent a bike, trainers for a fair bit of this walk would be useful.

Bike and trainers is the way to go :D Looks like the snow's coming back though so need to get the cobwebs off the boots. http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Glencoe/webcams/latest

Bod wrote:Interesting mentions of Jacobite flags :D

Seen a few Jacobite memorials on the rounds - Glenfinnan, Shiel Bridge etc - but this could be the first time I've spotted yer actual Jacobites in the wild.