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I had a free morning on 31st May so headed for Strathconon with Rob and Mary to climb Beinn Mheadhoin. We parked on a patch of grass about 200m east of the track to Inverchoran Farm, crossed the bridge to the farm and followed the signpost directing us away from the farm buildings to ford a tributary to the river.
Inverchoran Farm and track winding up left side of Creagan a' Chaorainn
About half a kilometer beyond the farm we took a left turn on to a vehicle track that circles Creagan a' Chaorainn. The track passes a waterfall and fords another stream before reaching a right turn on to a stalker's path up the steeper section of Beinn Mheadhoin.
On stalker's path after leaving track
Looking west to Bac an Eich
The path follows the Am Fuar-alltan first, then swings SW up the final climb. It peters out on a level grassy stretch but becomes clearer higher up and a number of helpful cairns are positioned along the way.
Helpful cairn
View northwest
The summit is marked by a small cairn perched on a rocky fin and our eyes were immediately drawn to the Strathfarrar Munros looking remarkably close to the south.
Strathfarrars from Beinn Mheadhoin summit
We retraced our steps for the descent and were met by three groups grazing around the farm. The sheep looked similar to the ones we'd seen on Berneray which would make them Hebridean sheep.
Hebridean sheep
The ponies looked like Highland garrons, bred for their strength and docile nature and traditionally used to carry deer carcasses off the hill during stalking. Nowadays mechanised means of transport are more often used but it's good to see some estates still have garrons at the ready. They are friendly beasts and one tried to follow me up Ben Hope when he was apparently bored on his day off.
Highland garrons
I'd seen deer near the farm after climbing Bac an Eich the previous year
So wasn't surprised to see this group foraging in fields nearby
We had left the car at 9.30 and were back by 12.30 so I was in fine time for Pete to have the car for his afternoon appointment. An excellent hill if you're wanting what Black Panther would call 'a quickie in the neighbourhood'.
On 9th September I was back with Moira to climb the one across the road - Meall na Faochaig - when we were blessed with brighter weather than the May day had been. We parked in the same place, being careful not to leave the car too close to the feeder to avoid it being scratched by passing antlers.
The route started along the road until we reached the stalker's path going off to the right.
Start of stalker's path
The path passes under a cable running from one of the houses at Carnoch to a TV aerial on Creag Lucharaidh, which looked like it had been a bit of an effort to install! The path traverses the shoulder of Creag Lucharaidh at a gentle gradient with views opening up to the west.
Loch Beannacharain appearing
Zoomed west to Maoile Lunndaidh
At about 350m we reached a boggy col where the path swings to the right and continues in an easterly direction. With the benefit of hindsight we should have left the path sooner than we did to head north over heathery slopes. When we left it the ground was all lumps and bumps not to mention water-logged. This cost us in terms of time as it was so slow going. On the return we aimed to come down the vaguely defined ridge which was slightly further west and found that a firmer and drier route.
Pathless slopes of Meall na Faochaig
Zoomed SW towards Achnashellach
When we reached the summit ridge we suddenly got a fantastic view extending from Fionn Bheinn in the north to Meallan na Uan in the east.
Fionn Bheinn and Sgurr a' Ghlas Leathaid, northern top of Sgurr a' Mhuilinn
Zoomed to the massive slabs of Creag Ghlas
Loch Beannacharain and Meall na Faochaig summit ridge
View east down Strathconon to Loch Meig
Meall na Faochaig summit and south to Strathfarrars
Bac an Eich
View west from summit
Descending Meall na Faochaig with track to Beinn Mheadhoin clear on left
These two hills probably aren't climbed as often as they deserve because they only have a Graham classification in altitude. But if you only have a small time window and for the views they offer of higher neighbours I think they are well worth it.
