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Early start from the car park just before Glencalvie Lodge. The weather forecast had worsened but was still expected to remain dry for much of the day. The strong wind off the south might make the cycle down Gleann Mòr more challenging than usual although I was hoping that the surrounding hills would give some shelter.
Initially westwards before crossing the Alladale River just south of Alladale Lodge then cycled along the estate track down through Gleann Mòr.
Rookie error which I didn’t realise until I was well down Carn Ban – I had accidentally set the camera film speed at ISO 3200 hence the reason that the next few photos are extremely grainy and washed out despite my best efforts on the home PC afterwards – many of the photos were just not useable.
Nice morning and the sun was starting to rise behind me.
Little to say about this bit as I just kept going. Further down a bit before the track crosses the Abhainn a’ Ghlinne Mhòir, I came across a herd of Highland Cattle spread across the track. No way to get through them but, as I got nearer, they started ambling slowly down the track. I just followed at a rather sedate pace through large clouds of flies and midges as it was sheltered from the wind.
Fortunately the herd decided not to cross the bridge and continued straight on. I then crossed the bridge, cycled past Deanich Lodge then right at the next junction then down to cross another bridge.
I cycled up the track a little before leaving the bike just below the hydro dam. Off up the stalkers path which took me to about 550m or so. The clag was now well down and I couldn’t see anything so just kept going NW then W up to the summit.
Summit cairn in the clag
I had been hoping to be able to see the Seana Bhraigh cliffs but the weather wasn’t wanting to play ball. Waited a bit and it did clear a little for a brief moment – quickly got a photo of the Assynt hills before it closed in again.
No point in hanging around so I headed back the same way. Needless to say the clag started to lift as I got further down. Part way back I realized the ISO setting was at 3200 and corrected it. Still some snow higher up.
Did manage to get a glimpse of Seana Bhraigh after all although the low cloud was making everything look a bit murky.
Spotted a short eared owl rising up from the moor – thanks to WHers for their identification assistance
Nearly back at the bike and conditions were now a bit brighter – looking westwards along Gleann Beag
Got back to the bike then cycled over the bridge, past Meall a’ Chaorainn and southwards until the track started to dip downwards.
Locked up the bike and set off SE up the hillside towards Beinn a' Chaisteil. I was convinced I could see a path in the heather higher up but couldn’t find it. There did seem to be traces of tracks here and there but it was mostly just a case of heading up the open hillside through the heather.
Gorm Loch and Am Faochagach
Seana Bhraigh and Loch Srùban Mòre
Got to the summit trig and shelter. Reasonable day now but looked like bad weather may be on the way.
Had a break then headed back down to the bike and cycled towards Deanich Lodge.
The simply a case of cycling back to the car. The return cycle was a lot quicker than the outward stretch being mostly downhill. The rain did eventually start about 3 km before the end but there was no pint in stopping for waterproofs and it didn’t last that long. Back to the car, packed up then drove back our holiday accommodation at Coylumbridge after a productive 1.5 days.