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I had been planning to go up North on Sunday and Monday and do an overnighter on Ben Hope or Ben Loyal, but the weather forecast said there was going to be very little wind and quite a bit of mugginess. My inner wimp said that I would sweat half my body weight off and the rest would be eaten by midges. My outer wimp agreed. A new plan - some motorbiking on Friday and some walking on Monday. I went hill spotting on Ardnamurchan on Friday and even did part of the Silver walk circuit by Castle Tioram. Looks like a great little walk, but probably one to do while not dressed in waterproofs and armour in 20 degree weather.
Friday started overcast with a 4000 foot cloud base and the forecast didn't seem overly ominous so I figured I'd go and do a quick spin on the Tarmachan Ridge. I'd been up Meall nan Tarmachan maybe around 22 or 23 years ago when I lived along the loch side, but quite liked the look of the ridge when I flew past in January so made a mental note do doodle along it sometime soon. I arrived at the start point a little after 11:00 and was ambling along 20 minutes later. There were a dozen cars already there, although I saw very few people throughout the day and even then they were mainly silhouettes in the distance.
Not really a whole lot to say about the walk that's not been said before really. It's a great walk, quite straightforward for the most part, with great views. I was going to drop down to the quarry after Beinn nan Eachnan but the path along to Creag na Caillich looked far too inviting for that and I had plenty of time. I didn't know whether there'd be a route down beyond that, or whether I'd have to retrace my steps and head down to the quarry that way but I figured I'd work that out when I got there. Worst case I figured I'd walk down into Glen Lochay and get my mother, who lives there, to give me a run back up to my car. In the end I did retrace my steps a little bit, but only by a few hundred feet and then just zigzagged down and along the boggy bit with no drama. Looking back from the path I could see I could easily have gone round the back and South of Creag na Caillich and joined up with the lower hydro road, but that was hard to see from the top.
It took just over 5 hours in total, all quite leisurely too.
Ben Lawers and Lochan na Lairige from Meall nan Tarmachan
The Tarmachan Ridge
My interest being peaked as I flew past in January. Anyone from here walking the ridge on the 20th January this year? if so, you might be able to see yourself
