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A year ago today Moira and I climbed Creag Dubh, had a most enjoyable walk and I don't know why I didn't get round to writing it up. So before I get on with more recent trips I'll rectify that as it's a great hill, well deserving a mention.
We parked in a space on the north side of the A86 and decided we would forego the hassle of a steep ascent over a jumble of rocks and through deep vegetation (though in April the vegetation shouldn't have been too bad), since there was a more civilised alternative. We walked south along the road as far as the entrance to Creagdubh Lodge, where opposite there's a gate. We followed the path through woodland and got immediate views of the cliffs of Creag Dubh through the trees and could hear the voices of climbers even when we couldn't see them.
Creag Dubh is meant to be one of Scotland's finest 'roadside crags' and we saw a number of climbers heading off with ropes on their backs.
Lochain Uvie
The path that follows the course of the Allt na Glaic was easy to follow, until we emerged from the trees and headed NW towards a lone birch tree.
Over Glen Banchor to the Monadliath Munros
Stone dyke
Care should be taken on part of the path which is narrow and hugs the edge above a steep drop. Then it's out into the open, climbing at a comfortable gradient and with views on every side. We found it a delightful ridge to walk and were happy to retrace our steps on the return to see the views again in all directions.
Ridge ahead
Meandering River Spey
Braeriach and Cairn Toul
Summit ahead
Newtonmore ahead
Moira at summit
Summit snack
Views south
I'd swithered about taking the dogs but after what happened to another WH dog on this hill I decided not to - and this stile would have been tricky for them so it was probably the right call to make for old dogs.
The stile
With more sunshine on the return the lochans were a vivid blue
So there we have it - a hill of character and worth climbing. Creag Dubh (the black crag) is prominent from Newtonmore and its name is the battle cry of the Clan MacPherson. On its sheer slopes facing Lochan Uvie is Cluny’s cave where the chief of the MacPhersons hid safely for 9 years after the battle of Culloden despite a reward of £11,000 offered for his capture, which in those days was a vast sum of money. Such was the loyalty of the often impoverished clansmen for their chief.