Black Wood and Dun da-Lamh fort

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This excellent circuit includes forestry, pinewoods and an open hill ridge with great views as well as the fascinating remains of a Pictish fort.

Terrain

Well waymarked route taking in tracks and open hill paths. Generally good conditions underfoot; the trail is steep in places.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start

Parking opposite Druim an Aird car park off A86 west of Laggan. Map and directions.

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 8.5km / 5.25 miles
Time: 2.5 - 4 hours
Ascent: 436m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NN566904

Maps / GPS

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Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

Park at Pattack car park which is unsigned but is on the north side of the A86 almost opposite (slightly west) of the signed druim an ard car park. As you enter Pattack car park, bear left and then right to find the start of the path (which isn't waymarked at first), a wide green walkway that descends and passes through a gap in a fence before rising and taking a right turn beside it's first blue waymarker post. The path leads past the unsightly remains of a small quarry before emerging from the trees beside a small lochan, which it joins a track at a signed junction. Take the left turn (blue waymarker for Hilltop / Fort).

Photo shows Black Wood from A86

Stage 2

The track runs through dull forestry at first; a branch path on the right leads to the ruins of a house almost lost amongst the trees (if visiting the house, return to the main track afterwards as the path past the ruins eventually emerges near the end of the walk). Continue along the track which climbs uphill; soon you'll see a transmitter ahead. Before reaching the transmitter, take the signed path turning off to the left (again, marked for Hilltop and Fort). It is possible to continue a short distance on the track to visit the transmitter for the view, but there are better views later on the walk in any case.

Stage 3

Continue up the path which now climbs more steeply, bearing left back above the forestry and then right across more open country to reach the ridge through a scattering of attractive old Scots' Pine trees. There are excellent views back down through the trees.

Stage 4

The path now runs along the bare ridge top, soon reaching the summit at a small cairn. The views are very extensive, both down into the head of the Spey valley to the north and eastwards over Badenoch towards the Cairngorms. Further along, the ridge becomes clothed in pinewoods once more, with views towards the ruined fort on the lower, knoll-like summit ahead, and the path eventually begins to descend towards an open bealach below this peak.

Stage 5

There is a picnic table and path junction at the bealach. The walk continues by turning right downhill, but first you should make the detour left up to the Pictish fort of Dun-da-Lamh. This path leads through the woodland before climbing the side of Black Craig and the outer wall of the fort on a diagonally rising path. The remains of the fort are impressive for its great age (it dates from the earliest Pictish period), and its position is almost impregnable atop its crag. The outer wall is up to twenty feet thick, and there are also remains of an inner wall. The stones did not originate in this area, and have a total weight of over 5,000 tons. Once atop the wall, bear right to the highest point, where there is a stone howff or shelter commanding a magnificent view all around.

Stage 6

Return to the picnic table junction and take the left turning signed for Achduchil. This becomes a track which slopes downhill to reach another junction with another picnic table. This time keep straight on (signed for Pattack).

Stage 7

A short distance further on this track, turn left onto a smaller path (blue waymarker). This passes a bench at the bottom edge of the trees before joining a further track through a felled area. Keep straight on, passing the bottom end of the ruins path mentioned earlier, before bearing right at yet another junction. This soon leads back to the pond near the start of the walk; turn left here to return to the car park.

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