A tour around Corrour: Rannoch Station to Loch Ossian

[pacol]

Day 1 of my 5 day annual backpacking trip to Scotland, with year's entitled 'A tour around Corrour' - and before any one points out it doesn't rhyme - I know - but it does have a certain style about it when written.

For those interested in the full route which is documented in five individual postings the days are:

Day 1 : Rannoch Station to Loch Ossian via Carn Dearg
Day 2 : Loch Ossian to Corrour via Chno Dearg
Day 3 : Corrour to Loch Chiarain (Blackwater) via Beinn na Lap
Day 4 : Loch Chiarain to Kinlochleven
Day 5 : Kinlochleven to Fort William via the WHW

Day 1

Thought for the day - where did all the rain go?

Having watched the weather forecast the preceding week showing a major low passing through the Western Highlands I was mentally prepared for a wet and cold week wandering around the glens of Rannoch and Corrour, so imagine my surprise when waking up on the Monday morning and seeing this view out of the window of the train.

Arrochar Alps from the WH Sleeper

Clear blue sky and sunshine was the last thing I was expecting. The train arrived at Rannoch Station on time and once off and sorted I set off for down the road towards Kinloch Rannoch and picked up the Road to the Isles after a couple of miles. The route for the day was -

2012_Corrour_act_abr_D1_RannochStn_LochOssian18k.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

Cloud was building up but still plenty of sunshine making for a grand day as I headed up on to the ridge at Sron Leachd a Chaorainn.

South west from the slopes of Sron Leachd a Chaorainn

Looking to the Ben from Sron Leachd a Chaorainn

Once on the ridge it was a steady ascent slowing climbing up to the high point of Carn Dearg.

Sron Leachd a Chaorainn ridge to Carn Dearg

Once on top I had excellent views in all directions.

Carn Dearg looking to the Mamores

Carn Dearg summit

At this point I met the first person I had seen since leaving Rannoch Station - a Munroist busy bagging the three Corrour Munros in a day. I was hoping to do three in three days, but then I take my time...

The descent down to Loch Ossian was a case of working my way over the rough ground although on reflection I think I went too far north before starting to head west.

I was spending the night at the Loch Ossian Youth Hostel - an excellent place - an booked when I thought it was going to be bad weather. My plan had been for at least one dry night...

Carn Dearg loooking to Loch Ossian

As it was, it was a lovely evening made even better by the pleasant company to be had at Loch Ossian.

Loch Ossian

Writing this in July, in the midst of incessant rain, I'm not quite sure how I managed to hit such a good spell but it made for an excellent tour.

Cheers,
Paul.

If you are interested to read more, Day 2 can be found here.

[LeithySuburbs]

You get a great view of Ben Nevis from this area .

'A tour around Corrour' - and before any one points out it doesn't rhyme - I know

- dunno what you are talking about .

[pacol]

I have always said Corrour to rhyme with tower (corr-our), rather than tour (Corr-or).

Being a sassenach I'm always happy to be corrected on points of Gaelic pronunceation.

P.