Cioch Mhor, often walked by the writer Neil Gunn

[heatheronthehills]

A lovely day today but we didn't have too much time so opted for a little hill above Dingwall. We had visited the Neil Gunn memorial yesterday in the rain and read that each day he wrote in the morning and then in the afternoon took a walk across the moorland and up the 'pap' which we guessed must be Cioch Mhor due to it's shape.
We decided to take this walk today, but started at grid ref NH 527 622 where it is possible to park up at the roadside without blocking any driveways or gates.
The track was muddy but good, but soon we came across the first hurdle...crossing the fast flowing Abhainn Sgitheach. Luckily there were stepping stones but I wouldn't like to do it on an icy day, or if the river was any more full. After the river crossing there was a large puddle to be negotiated, and again it had some large boulder stepping stones.
There were no further water obstacles and we were free to enjoy the remainder of the wee walk, taking in the beautiful Calendonian Pinewood and imagining what life must have been like here for the people who build the hut circles and chambered cairns which litter this ancient landscape.
Ahead of us we could see our target for the whole of the enjoyable walk-in, and the path led us up to a col where we caught our first stunning views of the corries of Ben Wyvis, still retaining some snow despite the warm sunshine.
We turned West and headed over a little stile, then up and over a small hillock before the final steep pull up to the summit of Cioch Mhor, at 482m. It's not a Munro, a Corbett, a Graham or a Marilyn...but it's not all about ticking and it is a lovely hill walk with fantastic panoramic views from the summit.

A fast flowing river crossing

And a puddle to negotiate...thanks for the stones!

A nice walk-in; the hill directly ahead

Ancient Caledonian Pines

First views of Ben Wyvis corries

A stile to negotiate

Almost at the summit

Nice cladonia

Derek at the summit

View of Ben Wyvis from the summit

Mosses resembling a 1970s carpet design

On walk-out with the rigs at Cromarty in the distance

Neil Gunn memorial gate

Neil Gunn plaque

[dooterbang]

Very leisurely walk indeed - going by the amount of hands in pocket shots

Nice photos.

Looks a nice wee walk, perfect for winter.

[Collaciotach]

Nice wee hill Heather

Read all Neil Gunn's books grest stuff

[heatheronthehills]

Very leisurely walk indeed - going by the amount of hands in pocket shots

Nice photos.

Looks a nice wee walk, perfect for winter.

Haha,yes, dooterbang it was very leisurely...perfect for a lazy Sunday

[heatheronthehills]

Nice wee hill Heather

Read all Neil Gunn's books grest stuff

Hi Collaciotach....it was a lovely wee hill. I have to confess I've not read any of the great mans work yet I will rectify this as soon as I next get down to Dingwall library