A Rum triple tipple

[m3doc]

Using e-bikes from bunkhouse taking track past Kinloch Castle turning left up initially rough bit of track improving after deer gate arriving in 30 minutes and 3.5 miles at Malcolm's Bridge (150m) on Harris branch of track. Path, a bit boggy in parts, on right bank in 200m reaches a parting of Abhainn Monadh Mhiltich - half goes south to the dammed Loch Long and half east to be tributary of Kilmory River but lower down at Salisbury's dam (built in 1840's but breached within days of reservoir formation!) a 300 yard lade takes water to supplement Kinloch River to allow salmon to more readily reach Loch Long. A good bit further on an ATV track from the left meets the path and can be used, though boggy, to approach Bealach a' Braigh Bhig (370m) 5 miles from bunkhouse. Easy grassy slopes north up about 100m to grassy top of Fionchra (463m) where we placed 5 small stones as a start of a cairn. Good views of Cuillins of Skye and Rum, Ard Nev, Orval, Bloodstone Hill, Guirdil and Canna.
Returned to bealach, ATV track then up grass to left of crags beside scree to view Orval's northwest crags then rising deer path towards Vanessa trig and large summit cairn (571m).
NE then E to bealach (450m) rising easy grassy slopes SE to Ard Nev (556m), Dropped SE then E by defunct deer dyke to join Harris track back to bikes at Malcolm's Bridge and super quick descent back to bunkhouse. 12 miles and 844m ascent (290m on bike) within 5 hours and still time to do the 45 minute grand castle tour before 3.10 pm ferry. Only midges seen in Ivy Cottage craft shed 9 April.