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It was supposed to be Beinn Dearg day, but the evening before, we checked the stalking info and just to avoid spoiling stalker's day, we swapped a Munro for a Corbett. No regrets though. A route maybe a wee bit shorter, but still a good day on the hills
We discovered one very secretive and very picturesque gorge and re-visited the lovely Glen Tilt. Not much more to ask for
The mountain we opted for was Beinn Mheadhonach. This Corbett is often climbed as a part of "The Ring of Tarf", but can also be tackled on its own. Glen Tilt offers the shortest approach. The name "Beinn Mheadhonach" - Middle Hill, describes this mountain best, the hill being wedged between Carn a'Chlamain and Beinn Dearg's lower top, Beinn a'Chait.
Starting point: Old Bridge of Tilt car park.
Terrain: good tracks/paths in Glen Tilt, grassy path along Allt Mhairc, some pathless but easy slopes higher up the hill.
Views: lots of rollin' rollin' hills around
good viewpoint towards the Cairngorms.
It was only a few weeks since our previous visit to Glen Tilt, when we climbed Carn a'Chlamain, but the glen now has much more "autumnal" feeling to it. We had to pick the less scenic route this time, following the track along the river, because of the shooting at the Rifle Range. We could actually hear the shots from across the glen
As somebody has already said on this site, it is a walk of four bridges. The first one - Cumhann-Leum Bridge.
The second one - Gilbert's Bridge. Didn't take photos here, but crossed it to join the western-side path:
The cloud in the pics actually looks much gloomier than it was. The morning was quite bright, though chilly, and we enjoyed fast walking on the grassy path:
We reached bridge number three - Ach-mhairc Footbridge. Here, our route leaves the Glen Tilt main circuit.
Birch bolete, mushroom soup material
We turned off the main path by an indicator saying "Viewpoint". The slope is overgrown with bracken, but very quickly becomes grassy and offers easy going:
We stopped for a few minutes by the ruins of Ach Mhairc Mhoir - indeed a good viewpoint to Glen Tilt:
The path continues along the deep gorge of Allt Mhairc and it allows fast progress. Now we could see our hill (the peak to the right):
Looking back to Glen Tilt:
This narrow glen is less popular with walkers than the main Tilt circuit, but just as lovely if not better!
About 1km after turning off the main Tilt route, and what felt like in the middle of nowhere now, we reached the point where Allt Diridh joins Allt Mhairc:
There are many sheep tracks (and also sheep themselves
) crossing the slopes, but it is easy enough to stay on the most prominent path:
As we turned the corner, we found ourselves facing one of the most enchanting views we've ever seen:
The narrow glen, framed with very steep slopes on both sides, and a cute little stony bridge (No. 4) in the middle:
Just by the bridge, a few fruiting rowans added some red colouring to the surrounding landscape:
Looking west from the bridge:
After a quick photo session in this beautiful spot, we faced the slopes of Beinn Mheadhonach... Ooops, that's where pleasant strolling ends and proper workout begins!
The first 10m or so are on a very tumbly, eroded path, but as soon as we were out of the gorge, we entered the world of heather. There is a faint path one can follow most of the way - it avoids the boggiest bits and the few small peat hags that are in the way. We simply got on climbing
A glance back towards Gleann Mhairc:
Views were getting better as we gained height and having gotten to the height of about 600m, we could now see the summit - or I should rather say, the beginning of the long summit ridge:
To the west, Beinn a Ghlo's Carn Liath came into view, as did Ben Vrackie:
Schiehallion, the characteristic shape seen from almost every mountain in Scotland
It was getting colder so we stopped to dress up, but Kevin was also eager to get to his sandwiches with polish sausage
As for me, I was more interested in the steep slopes of the neighbouring Beinn a'Chait:
Impressing:
Beinn a'Chuallaich, the Kinloch Rannoch Corbett. I'm keeping this one for a winter walk:
the summit of Beinn Dearg came into view...
...and soon we reached the flat summit plateau, with some good panos to Beinn a'Ghlo:
The path becomes more prominent again and the ground is more mossy here:
Carn a'Chlamain:
Looking north along the summit plateau, I spotted what I thought was the summit cairn:
We got the cairn quickly, but sadly, it was not the true summit... though I didn't mind a cairn picture:
The TRUE summit is over there - at the very opposite end of the long plateau:
10 more minutes of walking on the mossy ground - and we arrived at what must be the smallest summit cairn I've seen so far - the tiny pile of stones just by my right foot:
According to Kevin's GPS, this spot is 1m higher than the area around the larger cairn. It also offers better views north, to the Cairngorms. Such a shame cloud was hanging above them...
Zoom to the Cairngorms, with Ben Macdui in the middle:
Carn a'Chlamain summit to the very right:
Towards An Sgarsoch and Carn an Fhidhleir:
Carn a'Chiaraidh, the lower top of Beinn Mheadhonach, and the hills beyond, the pointy top of Sgor Gaoith to the right:
Loch Mhairc and the cloudy Cairngorms:
The sky looked much better to the south:
A shower passing on the horizon. Our hill avoided any rain, and believe me, it was brighter than the photos may suggest. Must say though, winter equipment came out of rucksacks soon. Hats and gloves are now a must-have on higher ground. Autumn has arrived!
We found a sheltered spot just below the summit plateau and had a hot cuppa and a bun
then set off to return to Glen Tilt. The descent was done at a good pace. Even the sun came out for longer. The hidden gorge with the small wooden bridge looked just as nice from above:
The meandering river:
Negotiating the eroded descent into the gorge:
Ain't this view simply beautiful????
We retraced our steps through Glen Tilt back to the car park, enjoying the magic of early autumn and discussing our next targets
Don't know if we manage to return here to climb Beinn Dearg. Depends on weather and stalking. But as an old Polish proverb says, what can be delayed, will not run away. Meow!
I really love autumn corbeteering
