Up a hill and into a cleft

[TheTortoise]

3 hills and 3 days later than planned, we are going home from the Cairngorms. Today there was
a little wind higher up, and sheet cloud from 800m.

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From near Dalwhinnie we set off up the right of way track; slightly awkward round the lodge, the way was more obvious on the way back; to a wood.

Looking towards our hill

We were just able to ford the river a few times, before crossing a flattish area; then a bumpy heathery ridge, with some small crags, and steep at the end. Clouds were on all the higher hills, swirling briefly on our top as we got there. We had a bit of spare time, so wandered down to get a view into the Dircs,

Looking towards the Dircs

then across to the base, and followed a rising contour deer track into Dirc Beag. We followed deer tracks through mossy boulders. It was a bit windy when at the top of gully with view of the thin lake,

Lochan na Doire-uaine

so we retreated a bit then ate lunch.

Looking for a lunch spot

It was amazing to find this attractive gully in the middle of countryside that is otherwise mostly moorland. We walked down the dirc, out along line of telegraph poles then by the river, rejoining the track out by the wood.

[HalfManHalfTitanium]

I've looked at this area from time to time on the map. Great to read about it, and enjoyed the photos - Lochan na Doire-uaine looks quite a place. One of these days I hope to do a round of both the Dircs, will make a change from hill summits.

TIm