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Set out on my own along Jock’s Road from the Glen Callater car parking area. Good easy track up to Loch Callater, and I wished I'd used my (hybrid) bike to that point. It would have saved a lot of time on the way up and even more on the way down. The Jock's Road track apparently keeps to the north of the glen, although it is not at all obvious. The estate track should be used advisedly. The 4x4 track crosses the river bed several times, and actually follows it in places - not pleasant walking! Beyond an obvious moraine, Jock's Road becomes easier to follow for a while and in places is a very good track. I actually did a little geocaching - there are some good, if seldom visited, caches on Jock's Road and they did help me get back "on track"! As Jock's Road finally steepens towards the plateau it becomes much less distinct and harder to follow going up hill. In the end I made my own way up steeply following the western bank of the stream (not a route I'd like to descend). Once on the high plateau the walking became much easier and the ascents of Tolmount 958m/3137’ and Tom Buide 957m/3140’ followed easily and pleasantly. I then decided to follow the ridge down above Glen Callater via Cairn of Claise and Carn an Tuirc, (previously ascended in poor visibility - so today I got the views!) and thence down to Loch Callater. A long, but very satisfying day.
10 hours
Weather: Perfect, dry, sunny, light breeze, excellent visibility.
