Beinn Tharsuinn, near Alness

Summary

Beinn Tharsuinn is a rounded heathery hill whose position in Easter Ross makes for a fine viewpoint, especially over the Cromarty Firth. It is, however, almost completely pathless, and the ascent has some tough going in deep heather. The alternative descent route given here is even rougher.

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Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Good track for approach, then very rough pathless going, with deep heather initially. Alternative descent route given is boggy and even rougher.

Getting there

Start

Car park just north of Strathrory Bridge, B9176.

Public Transport

No public transport to start.

Start Grid Ref

NH660776

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 17km / 10.5 miles
Time: 4.5 - 5 hours
Ascent: 621m (Profile)

Summits Climbed

Fiona: Beinn Tharsuinn

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Walk Description

User reports (6)

Stage 1

There is a large parking area at the start of the track off the west side of the B9176 just north of Strathrory Bridge. Begin by walking up the wide track, which provides an easy approach to begin with. It leads past a metal barrier; the usually locked gate beyond is avoided with a stile on the left. Ignore any tracks off right (used for sand and gravel extraction); there's a view ahead to Beinn Tharsuinn for much of the way. The route later passes through another gate - pedestrian gate on the left - enclosing an area planted with a mix of Scots pine, birch and imported conifers. There are also glimpses of the windfarm on the northeast shoulder of the hill, as well as another on Meall an Tuirc.

Stage 2

After just under 4km the track crosses the Strathrory River and climbs up to a quarry at the foot of Torr Leathann; there's a gate with a sign barring access. Leave the track here and turn right to follow a wire fence that encloses the quarry area. There's no path and it's rough going in deep heather. Once beyond the quarry aim to head directly up the shoulder of Torr Leathann across pathless heathery slopes; the going really improves as height is gained.

Stage 3

The top of Torr Leathann is marked by a slender cairn at 637m has a great view out over the Cromarty Firth - better than the views from its partent. Turn northwest for the short descent to the bealach; there is a faint path on the way down but once at the bealach it becomes lost in an area of peat hags.

Stage 4

Continue up the rougher slope opposite to reach the trig point marking the summit of Beinn Tharsuinn at 692m. The views are extensive, with the great bulk of Ben Wyvis prominent southwest but - on a good day - views stretching out as far as Assynt. The quickest way back is to return to the head of the track; our route extends the walk by visiting the wind farm on the way down but this means even rougher going than the ascent.

Stage 5

Continue across the broad ridge running northwest, which soon becomes peat-hagged. From here head down the rough heather slopes towards the prominent windfarm. Aim for the nearest of the turbines - the last stretch can be particularly boggy. Once the hard track is reached, follow it to the left, ignoring the branch off to another turbine, then keep left at a junction to soon reach another junction of tracks. Bear right at the next two junctions to reach the most easterly of the turbines, on Meall a' Bhreacain.

Stage 6

The next section can be very wet; aim southeast across the moor, keeping south of the top of Meall a' Bhreacain and picking up and following a clear line through the heather - this may once have been an ATV track but is now very boggy; it leads past a prominent boulder. Continue following this all the way across and then down the moors to reach the outward track near the river. From here retrace your steps back to the start.

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