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On the way up to the summer WH Meet in Ratagan, we picked a hill that wouldn't take too long and also wouldn't affect Kevin's sore back too much. He was suffering a bit the day before, when we explored Plockton (one more reason why we didn't risk any hills that day) but now it was time to test how well he was healing. Meall Dubh is not a big challenge, an easy Corbett which we had done before. A good candidate for a quick winter walk - we will return here when the snow arrives
Today, we hoped to not only reach the summit, but also add the northern top, Beinn an Eoin.
Our route starts from Glen Morriston and utilizes the new windfarm track. As Kevin said, this hill is all about windfarms. Since
our previous visit in 2014 a second windfarm has been built on the southern slopes of this modest Corbett. So rather than try an unusual approach (which would most likely require marching past the turbines) we stuck to our old route from the north. It makes the most of the access track but still explores the least affected side of the mountain. Besides, Kevin had done Meall Dubh before from the west (from the road near Loch Loyne dam) and he described it as "a boggy nightmare".
On the way down, we visited Beinn an Eoin as planned:
This is not going to be a very long TR. Not much to say about this hill unless you want to rant about wind turbines. They can be seen from nearly every place on this route, the best we could do was ignore them
Meall Dubh from the access track just past the gate:
Weather was a bit unsettled but we hoped for a clear summit. Meall Dubh might not be an exhilarating adventure but it's a good viewpoint and it would be a shame to miss the vistas.
The track climbs to the height of 420m in several large zig zags. We enjoyed a nice walk through the forest and followed the track to its highest point, where we looked around for the best spot to leave the road:
Once on the wild side of the hill, the ground was a bit squelchy in places and overgrown with heather, grass and other scratchy vegetation, but when looking around, we noticed that the cloud was lifting from the higher tops, if very slowly:
Looking for the best spot to cross Allt Coire na Gaoith an Ear:
Our line of ascent aimed for the SE shoulder, leading to the lower top (745m, not named on any maps). Higher up, the ground was dry and much easier to walk on:
The summit of Meall Dubh from the lower top:
Sadly, as soon as we emerged on the summit ridge, we couldn't ignore the windfarms any more
A short walk west on the grassy ground took us to the true summit of Meall Dubh. It was Lucy's 101st Corbett:
Kevin posing with the summit cairn in the background:
Beinneun Windfarm to the south :
How it looked before windfarming in 2014:
At least, there are still nice views from this hill, when you turn away from the turbines and look west or north. The two lochs: Loinne and Cluanie, form a nice frame around Beinn Loinne:
Zoom to Loch Cluanie:
After a long break on the summit by the cairn (we had nothing better to do anyway), it was time do descend due north, following the ridge to Beinn an Eoin:
I'm not sure which is the highest point of this top, as it has several rocky outcrops of similar height, this one was the most photogenic:
View due north to Glen Morriston and Glen Affric hills:
Back to the summit, to the right the slope we descended:
Looking NE to our ascent/descent route, the windfarm track clearly visible to the right of the picture:
To return to the track, we decided to head due east for a few hundred meters to avoid crags. Crossing Allt an Easain Bhain just above the small waterfall proved easy enough:
Posing with Beinn an Eoin in the background:
On the way down we tried to follow deer paths, but most of the time it was pathless going, quite rough in places, more scratchy heather to negotiate. We didn't hurry it up, it was only 2pm and we still had some time to spare before arriving in Ratagan
Kevin exploring deer paths:
Once back on the windfarm track, it was a quick march down to the road. A few midges made their appearance, but so far the wee bloodsucking army has been easy to fight. Only when we eventually reached Ratagan and started to pitch the tent, they attacked us with double viciousness. Ahh, the blessings of camping in Scotland
Having spent a nice evening in the hostel, chatting to other Walkhighlanders (and not overdoing beer!), we were mentally prepared for the scary Fhada Traverse on Saturday, but because weather forecast looked better for Sunday, we decided to swap around our plans and aimed for easier walk, Sgurr an Airgid. Details of this trip in my next TR.
