free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
Don't think I've been on the A837 before and as I made my way along I wondered if I'd taken a wrong turn, there just being the single track road with passing places. But no, this country lane is indeed the A837! Doubt arose becasue I was armed only with a road atlas for navigation which only names a few of the places en route. Still, one by one these few places appeared and I was reassured that I had not ended up on the wrong road.
Next challenge was the estate road in to Corriemulzie Lodge. Having looked at all the Seana Bhraigh reports it sounded like this was the easiest approach as long as the car could take it. Someone had indicated a forty minute drive so, forewarned, I kept the speed down to 10mph and less. Managed it in twenty five minutes on the way back though so not too much to worry about though the rustle of grass and pinging of stones on the exhaust is always a bit unnerving.
Parked at the clearly signed walkers' car park and set off south west. Met at gate by three labradors guarding the house there, making lots of noise but quite friendly as I woofed back at them.
Through a side gate and off along the estate road with Seana Bhraigh already clearly visible in the distance.
target now four miles ahead
Creag an Duine dominates the view
Took me one hour and forty minutes to get the the turn off onto the track that heads south. This leads to a dead end at around 350m with a narrow path continuation but before that point an ATV type track heads uphill and I joined that track a few minutes later.
near the 350m contour where this track ends and an ATV track takes over to the right
This track was in very good condition despite there having been rain the previous day. The track continues up to about the 620m contour at which point there is easy walking south to get onto the north east ridge of Seana Bhraigh. I went up and down just north east of the wee lochan to the south of the 760m point.
More importantly, though, great views open up along the way to Morven, Scaraben, Loyal, Klibreck, Foinaven, all the Coigach and Assynt hills, An Teallach and others.
Stac Pollaidh and Cul Beag
loooking back along Strath Mulzie to near the start with Ben Loyal top right
Morven, Scaraben and co.
An Teallach
The final slopes give great views into the corrie, along the cliff edges and down onto the loch. There is then a level summit area which further reveals views to Ben Dearg and co., the Cuillin and to Wyvis. This really feels like
the place to view the north of Scotland from.
first view into the corrie
Stac Pollaidh again and Rhidorroch River
An Tealllach again
looking across the corrie
Ben Mor Coigach to Quinag
The forecast wind had to this point only appeared in gusts and was fading as predicted so the onward walk along the corrie edge was quite relaxed. Fine views down a couple of gullies and easy walking over moss and short grass combined to make the 2km walk to the other end of the corrie edge seem a gentle stroll, albeit there is a wee bit of up and down.
progressing along the corrie edge
just visiblle left of the lochan, the two guys I met later in the day and Canisp and Quinag on the horizon
Assynt hills showing up well again beyond Seana Bhraigh's munro top
turning the corner on the summit plateau
Creag an Duine now ahead
good views north all along the way
loch and mountain
Walked as far as the narrow part before the point bit of Creag an Duine. Then got a little bit of sunshine on and off for the rest of the day.
An Teallach, Seana Bhraigh and Ben Mor Coigach
Dearg
Wyvis
Dearg
pointy bit
back round the corrie
a bit of sunshine at the top
Black Cuillin?
looking north west again
Felt a bit tired walking back but once I got back to Seana Bhraigh it was downhill all the way and pretty easy on the descent but a little heavy legged going back along the estate road. Bumped into a couple of older guys resting by their bicycles who didn't give cycling a whole hearted endorsement because of the bumpiness of the surface. Still looked a lot faster than walking when I saw them zoom past later on. Then passed by another older guy on foot. This simultaneously gave me hope for the future of my fitness and despair at the present state of it. As long as I can do it I suppose, that's what matters no matter how slow.
Loads of midges back at the car and some phone messages about shopping messages duly executed at Sainsbury's in Nairn. Couldn't get a phone signal all day yet the phone manages to relay shopping related messages.
