Sparkling beauty and bejewelled trees on Cnoc Mor

[dogplodder]

Set off mid morning for Strathpeffer with Moira, Evelyn and the dogs and parked at Blackmuir Wood Forestry car park. Passed the tiny lochan and wooden sculptures and headed up the wide track towards Cnoc Mor.

Not this path

This one

Cnoc Mor straight ahead

It was a beautiful morning but cloud was gathering from the north

We had intended heading straight up Cnoc Mor but missed the right turn off the main track.

The footprints (ours on the return) to the right of the birch trees is where we should have left the track

When we realised we'd missed the turn we decided to carry on up to the point where the path meets the ridge where you turn left for Knock Farrel and right for Cnoc Mor.

Signpost for Knock Farrel and Cnoc Mor

The last time we were here it was with Kath after low cloud chased us off the Strathconon Corbetts. That was to be our last walk with Kath - though obviously we didn't know that at the time. On that occasion we couldn't continue along the ridge to the top of Cnoc Mor because felling was in progress.

The previous occasion with felling ahead

We crossed the stile and followed the path by the side of the fence, an area with more open views than it used to have thanks to the felling that kept us out last year. It began snowing and we thought we'd probably lost the chance of views from the top but it was just a quick shower and by the time we reached the top the sun was shining again.

Loch Ussie from felled area

Glimpse of Cromarty Firth with snow shower approaching

Fresh snow on the trees (Moira's pic)

Trig point on Cnoc Mor

Evelyn and Moira

Evelyn and me

We walked a little further west and considered going down towards Jamestown but decided against it and retraced our steps to the stile which we crossed into the woods.

Looking west

Over the stile and through the trees

Arty shot (Moira's)

Strathpeffer below

The path traverses the steep side of the hill and zigzags down to the main track. I hadn't brought my poles but could have done with them as the descent was steep and muddy in places.

As we did the last time with Kath we called in at the Victorian station tea room, but it was closed for the winter so we went to the tea room at Dingwall station instead.

[Lastofthesummerwine]

We did this walk last summer from a wee camp site nearby. Your photos are very good but tell me how do you get so many posted. It takes me ages to upload photos and now I see they are asking for photos of no more than 600 or so pixels wide. My camera doesn't take good photos at that low resolution. How do you manage! Maybe it is the fact that my broadband is not up to city standard as we live in the country. I'd be interested to hear your view,
Regards
LOSTW

We loved the walk though. Thanks for the photos.

[tweedledog]

Good to see the dogs out in the sun, and Moira's 'arty shot' is splendid. I've been doing a lot of wandering in Argyll with The Whippet, but nothing that has merited a report. Must follow your example and get organised...

[BlackPanther]

My first sub 2000 It used to be a great spot for mushroom picking (especially orange birch boletes and saffron cups), before most of the forest was cut down. Still a nice walk and a good viewpoint, I must revisit it sometime

[heatheronthehills]

This is our local hill and a real gem. The views are fabulous and there are so many different ways you can wander across the hill. Great pics, looks like you had a wonderful day

[mrssanta]

must have been poignant for you thinking of Kath on this lovely day.

[scottishkennyg]

Nice images of the surrounding area dp.

[dogplodder]

We did this walk last summer from a wee camp site nearby. Your photos are very good but tell me how do you get so many posted. It takes me ages to upload photos and now I see they are asking for photos of no more than 600 or so pixels wide. My camera doesn't take good photos at that low resolution. How do you manage! Maybe it is the fact that my broadband is not up to city standard as we live in the country. I'd be interested to hear your view,
Regards
LOSTW

We loved the walk though. Thanks for the photos.

The photos I take are too big to post so I downsize them (right click and option comes up). If you store your pics on the Walkhighlands site you are allowed to post up to 25, which I find a good restraint or there's a temptation to post far too many!

[dogplodder]

Good to see the dogs out in the sun, and Moira's 'arty shot' is splendid.

Moira takes great photos and I've been nagging her to do her own reports and am still working on it....!

[Johnny Corbett]

A nice wee wander with good views.

[pollyh33]

Another lovely report Kathleen.


Can't pick my favourite pic this time, they are all so beautiful!

Xx

[Bod]

Lovely pictures! And yes I like the 25 pics idea too

[dogplodder]

My first sub 2000 It used to be a great spot for mushroom picking (especially orange birch boletes and saffron cups), before most of the forest was cut down. Still a nice walk and a good viewpoint, I must revisit it sometime

Handy for you!

[dogplodder]

This is our local hill and a real gem. The views are fabulous and there are so many different ways you can wander across the hill. Great pics, looks like you had a wonderful day

Didn't realise you were local too.

[dogplodder]

must have been poignant for you thinking of Kath on this lovely day.

We always think of her when we're out but particularly so on this walk. It's kind of you to remember.