

So we worked out timings for the walk and an escape route – at least 3 munros should be possible so if we weren't at the top of Sgurr a' Choire Ghlais by 2:30pm we'd cut the walk short and do Sgurr Fhuar-thuill from the north. But it would mean no hanging about and a strict limit on the photo ops

So we set off from home in thick fog, which was promising to burn off, (we did hope we might even get a cloud inversion on the early part of the walk.) Its about an hour's drive and we arrived at the gate for 8:45, first car there so we settled down to wait (it transpires we should have waited in the car park on the left which we hadn't noticed

Dead on 9am we were allowed into the glen – would we be back by 8pm?

Strathfarrar is a beautiful glen, but it was clear that this was going to be a scorcher of a day – well we were prepared, got the sun hat, sun cream and lots of water, including extra water for the dogs. Parked the car, got the stuff out ready for the off – first disaster of the day – my platypus had leaked the best part of 2 litres of water all over the boot of the car

Several other walkers appeared, some, like us were parking at the east end of the glen, some going on to the far end. Most were sensibly using bikes to do the 6k of road work. We were planning to walk the lot (not sure how B&B would take to running after bikes – they might use it as an excuse to go in a completely different direction). One couple set off for the west end on bikes to walk the opposite way round from us, we would meet up in the hills later!
The walking started of very gently, lovely green landscape, filled up the platypus and gradually worked our way higher. As we did the day got hotter and hotter and the cleggs more and more vicious. My legs went slower and slower, the quads were really feeling the heat. At one point I wondered if I was going to bale out because it was too hot, in Scotland


Sgurr na Ruaidhe (right) and Carn nan Gobhar

Looking back down Corie Mhuillich

Some of the Mullardoch Hills

Interesting view of Sgurr na Muice

Spotted a cloudberry on the way – first time I've noticed one still growing!

Sgurr na Ruaidhe

Regulation cereal bar break at the top of Sgurr na Ruaidhe and a few photos,
Hot dogs?

Classy head wear

Mullardoch to Affric

then off to Carn nan Gobhar – very straight forward descent / ascent. Quick break, enjoyed the views then off to Sgurr a' Choire Ghlais, where we planned to have lunch.
From Carn na Gobhar to Sgurr a Corie Ghlass

No we weren't hanging about, the curfew at 8:00 pm was being taken very seriously!!
Heading towards the bealach between Carn nan Gobhar and Sgurr a' Choire Ghlais we had the second disaster of the day – Biggles suddenly took off at great speed chasing down the south side of the hill. Much to our shame we hadn't noticed until a walker behind us shouted an alert – at which point Bertie decided to follow the pack leader's example. Called him back without too much effort, but Biggles on a mission is a different dog.




We reached Sgurr a' Choire Ghlais by the back of 2, which is what we thought we'd need to do. if we were to do all four munros, so had lunch took a few more photos then off for the final hill of the day.
Loch Monar

Looking north west

Heading to Sgurr Fhuar-thuill

On the way over to Sgurr Fhuar-thuill we met the couple we'd seen at the car park who had cycled to the west end of the walk and were doing the trip the opposite way from us. A quick chat about heat and amazing views then we all continued on our way. Looking down into Glen Orrin I'm glad we did these hills by the Strafarrar route – the north side of these hills looks like a complete bogfest!
The route to the top is easy and rewards with some stunning views – although as the afternoon wore on they were becoming very hazy.
The Torridons

Sgurr na Muice and the south west

The route down

further down - where it is wet

The route down was straight forward – although seemed to be longer than I had expected

Waterfall

We were back at the road by 5:30, so only 6 km to go then


From the start of the walk back along the road

It isn't such a bad walk at all – beautiful glen, very few cars and the evening was lovely. Strathfarrar has clearly been more populated in the past – we passed various ruins.
Ruin

Knowing we didn't need to rush so much made the walk back more leisurely, with Sgorr na Diollaid keeping a watchful eye on us.
Sgorr na Diollaid

River Farrar

Back at the car park we arrived just as the cycling couple did (7pm) – which really made our day, even Biggles was somewhat forgiven.

