Caledonia Hilltreks Humps
The Humps are hills in Britain of any height with a drop of 100 metres or more on all sides, and thus includes the Marilyns, which have a drop of at least 500 feet, (around 152 metres) all round. The name HuMP stands for HUndred Metre Prominence.
The Scottish Marilyns, and those Munros without the 152 metres of prominence, which I have climbed, are recorded elsewhere on this web site, so this section only refers to the remaining Scottish Humps that I have ascended. At present this list is relatively small so initially these Humps will be confined to a single page but may be extended in due course.
 Old Man of Stoer |
 Sgorr Tuath |
 Meall Dearg |
 An Cabagach |
Hump Index
| Hill Name | Area | Region |
| An Cabagach | Strathcarron | B3 |
| Ben Reoch | Luss | M7 |
| Creag na h-Iolaire | Assynt | A5 |
| Hill of Rothmaise | Aberdeenshire | J6 |
| Meall an Lundain | Cairngorms | J3 |
| Meall Cruaidh | Ullapool | B3 |
| Meall Dearg | Assynt | B1 |
| Meall Mor | Rhue, Ullapool | B3 |
| Ord Hill | North Kessock | D2 |
| Sgorr Tuath | Coigach | B1 |
| Sidhean Mor | Assynt | A5 |
Hump Trip Reports
Meall Mor
6 May 2012
slide show from photographs taken on walk
| Map - OS Landranger 19. | Time taken 4.25 hours. | Distance - 11.75 kilometres. | Ascent - 380 metres. |
Public transport in and around Ullapool on a Sunday is almost non-existent, so I needed a plan using shanks’ pony. My initial thought was to walk north along the coast to Rhue Lighthouse and onto Ardmair, where there are fantastic views of the Graham, Ben More Coigach. At some point on this walk I would make a short diversion to climb the Hump, Meall Mor.
The overnight snow that fell in Ullapool had melted by the time I set off from my accommodation. I crossed the Ullapool River by a walkway and followed the signed route for Rhue Lighthouse. This took me along the shore of the sea loch, Loch Broom and the edge of the third hole at Ullapool Golf Course, which must be one of the most scenic third holes of any golf course. Beyond the terrain was quite rough, sometimes I was walking on the edge of small embankments or over shingle and occasionally rocks.
It was sunny but chilly as I made progress north-west passed the crofting community of Morefield and below the knoll, Cnoc na Moine. This took me to the crossing of the Allt an t-Srathain which I thought might be difficult but the water was low with lots of stones to make it across dry shod. The path continued along the coast with the hamlet of Rhue above me. Here there were a few interesting modern houses which appeared to afford wonderful views across Loch Broom to the Summer Isles.
The Rhue Lighthouse was reached and here I had a cup of coffee while sheltering from the cool breeze that had developed. Afterwards I followed the coastline east along paths which soon began to disappear. I walked round the north side of the knoll Meall Garbh and soon realised why the paths ceased. The ground was steep and rocky and with my arm not yet back to full working order I didn’t fancy searching for a route through this area.
I retraced my steps and wandered round the west side of Meall Garbh, crossed a fence, and commenced the short ascent of Meall Mor, keeping to the right of some rocks. On reaching the summit cairn, which was just beyond the telecommunications tower, I had more views of Isle Martin, Ben More Coigach and Ardmair. Inland it was cloudier with a few snow showers but on the coast it stayed dry.
The descent was by a rough track from the telecommunications tower to the hamlet of Rhue. Here the options were either a road walk back to Ullapool or cut across some crofting ground where sheep and their lambs were grazing and return by the outward route. I opted for the latter again spotting a small bird which I think was a ringed plover, (see photograph).
| Meall Mor | first ascent | 165 metres |
Meall Cruaidh
5 May 2012
slide show from photographs taken on walk
| Map - OS Landranger 20. | Time taken - 7.25 hours. | Distance - 17.25 kilometres. | Ascent 1000 metres. |
I had climbed Beinn Eilideach in May 2011 but on this trip I would cross it again to reach Ullapool, after an ascent of Meall Cruaidh and Meall Dubh North Top. This would give me a good day out, albeit with an odd combination of a Graham Top, Hump and Sub 2000 Marilyn.
The start of the walk was Leckmelm, on the A835 south-east of Ullapool. I was pleased to see a ‘Walkers Welcome’ sign as I headed along a vehicle track before reaching a number of houses, some of which were holiday lets. I soon came to a large gate where the track entered the forest. was a steady climb through the trees before around twenty minutes later I emerged from the forest into Srath Nimhe. There were views back over the tree tops and across Strath More to the snow capped An Tellach mountains. I passed a junction of tracks and a large shed before I entered another section of the forest, which this time consisted mainly of larch trees.
On clearing this area of forest I left the vehicle track, crossed the Allt Raon a’Chroisy, which was low, and headed south. For several metres the ground was a bit boggy but as soon as I gained some height the conditions dried out. An old vehicle track was crossed and I now set my sights on ascending the Graham Top, Meall Dubh North Top. The vegetation was a bit mixed but I still made reasonable progress especially when following the grassy banks of a small stream. Unfortunately at one point I did go down a small hole and jarred my injured arm, which was a bit of a concern.
This stream eventually led me up a gully and onto the east knoll which I was aware wasn’t the highest point, it was some 500 metres further east. On approaching the summit I managed to take a few photographs of a Golden Plover. I arrived at the summit cairn as the hills around began to cloud over.
I spent a few minutes at the summit before descending in a northerly direction towards Srath Nimhe. Unfortunately it began to snow quite heavily so I donned my jacket and goggles as it was difficult to see in the driving snow. It wasn’t particularly welcome at this point as the descent was steep with bands of rock, so progress was slow in the reduced visibility. The shower lasted for around thirty minutes and by this time I had reached the edge of a forest.
The fence surrounding the forest was followed before I crossed the vehicle track in Srath Nimhe and made an easy ascent to the Hump, Meall Cruaidh. Here I found a bit of shelter for lunch hoping that the cloud would lift, which it gradually did.
Afterwards I walked west to take in the nearby hill, Beinn an t-Sratha, before descending north-west, deviating several times to avoid the numerous lochans that cover this area. The ascent of Beinn Eilideach also initially meant avoiding more lochans but the second snow shower of the day soon engulfed the area turning it into a winter wonderland. As the snow eased I was approaching the summit trig point located within a small shelter. I thought I heard voices but couldn’t spot anyone but on making my way across to the highest point I came across a couple of bootprints in the snow, although I never did spot their owners. I had clearing views of Ben More Coigach, the Mountains of Assynt, Loch Achall and towards Ullapool.
The descent was down the north-west ridge which was rather complex but fortunately the cloud had lifted. I thought of heading for the Braes of Ullapool, which would probably have been the better option, but instead descended to the edge of the forest that surrounded the east side of Ullapool. I followed a deer fence before reaching a stile, then through some horrendous vegetation to the A835 near Ullapool’s Filling Station.
| Meall Cruaidh | first ascent | 503 metres |
Ord Hill
12 April 2012
slide show from photographs taken on walk
| Map - OS Landranger 26. | Time taken - 3 hours. | Distance - 8.75 kilometres. | Ascent - 225 metres. |
The forecast wasn’t particularly good but I wanted to get out again and decided that the Hump on the north side of the Kessock Bridge would be an interesting walk because its summit was on old fort. I was the only passenger on the 0935 hours bus from Inverness Bus Station bound for Cromarty alighting on the north side of the Kessock Bridge, just before the Tourist Information Centre.
I walked along the cycleway to the Tourist Centre where I crossed the busy dual carriageway. Directly opposite a small gate led into the forest where there were a few sign posts. I headed along the path going east before climbing steeply through the forest crossing a vehicle track. The gradient eased and I made the short diversion to a ‘Viewpoint’ but due to the height of the trees there was little to be seen other than a small section of the Moray Firth and the Kessock Bridge.
Once back on the path I followed it to the summit cairn. The only evidence of an old fort was an area of boulders which may have been part of a wall. Slightly further on there was a small gap in the trees which revealed the hills of Strathconon. I took a coffee break here but the rain soon arrived so I left the summit rather disappointed as I had expected to see more evidence of the old fort and despite classifying an area as a ‘Viewpoint’ there was very little to see due to the trees.
The return was similar to the ascent route with a slight diversion to visit the trig point. The rain wasn’t heavy so I decided to walk back to Inverness rather than try and stop a bus on the busy dual carriageway. I crossed the Kessock Bridge and cut through an Industrial Estate which led to the Longman Road. From there it was a short walk into the city centre and to my nearby accommodation.
| Ord Hill | first ascent | 191 metres. |
An Cabagach
6 November 2011
| Map – OS Landranger 20. | Time taken – 5.5 hours. . | Distance – 14 kilometres. | Ascent – 750 metres |
Fine weather was forecasted for the North of Scotland so I decided to head for Starthcarron, reached from the village of Ardgay on the A836, with the intention of climbing the Sub 2000 Marilyns, Breac-Bheinn and Meall Dheirgidh. I also had in mind the Hump, An Cabagach, which would give me a circuit of Meall nan Eun and Loch Meall Dheirgidh.
It was a frosty morning as I drove west along the glen on the north side of the River Carron. Just beyond Braelangwell Wood I parked at the side of the road, directly opposite a gate in the deer fence. Once geared up I set off through this unlocked gate and along a wet and overgrown track. The track was slightly drier once away from the road and it later crossed a small stream before reaching the derelict Whale Cottage, where the roof had collapsed although the stairs were still standing.
I was expecting the track to end here but it continued north to a gate in a stock fence and then towards the Allt nan Eun. I followed the track, which was wet in places, as it headed up the glen avoiding some marshy ground close to the stream. When the track began to swing away from Breac-Bheinn and towards the north side of Meall nan Eun, I left it and dropped to the Allt nan Eun, which was easily crossed.
I made an angled ascent of the south-west side of Breac-Bheinn trying to avoid the worst of the long vegetation. Higher up the gradient eased and I headed over some peat hags to the trig point, which I was aware wasn’t the highest point. Here I had views down Strathcarron to the Dornoch Firth. I then walked over some rough ground to the highest point where I took a break with views of the hills and glens to the north.
After my break I descended west over heathery ground aiming for the col beside the edge of the Birchfield Wood which was surrounded by a deer fence. Initially I followed this fence before making a more direct approach, over some wet ground, to the foot of Meall Dheirgidh’s East Ridge, where I rejoined the fence which continued up the ridge. It was a steady climb and on arrival at the summit area I saw the cairn on the other side of the fence. I therefore clambered over the fence, visited the cairn and the area which was supposedly the highest point.
I returned to the other side of the fence and descended west then south as I made my way towards the head of the Allt Coire Ruchain gully. A few deer spotted me and quickly disappeared. An easy climb of the north ridge led to the summit area of An Cabagach. Here peat hags had to be worked round before I reached the highest point which appeared to be a clump of heather mixed with mosses. Despite a cool breeze I had lunch here with views of the hills around the Alladale Estate and the distant mountains of Assynt.
After lunch I crossed to the south-east knoll then followed All Terrain vehicle tracks to the house at Sgodachail and a pleasant stroll down the glen back to my car.
| An Cabagach | first ascent | 421 metres |
Ben Reoch
2 July 2011
| Map - OS Landranger 56. | Time taken - 5.25 hours. | Distance - 10.5 kilometres. | Ascent - 1060 metres. |
The weather wasn’t great on previous visits to the Luss Hills so with a reasonable forecast we set out for Glen Douglas on the west side of Loch Lomond. Last time I climbed these particular hills it was in an anti-clockwise direction so on this occasion I decided to go in the other direction and tackle Tullich Hill first. I left my car around five hundred metres east of Invergroin as parking beside this house was limited. When we arrived at this parking spot a French couple, who had obviously been camping there, departed in their vehicle.
We walked west along the road to just beyond Invergroin and Tullich Farm before passing through an open gate and into a field of rough pasture. The gate at the top of this field was also open so there were no access problems. It was then a steady climb of Tullich Hills’ south-east ridge with ever improving views of the Grahams on the other side of Glen Douglas. It had been warm and sunny lower down but higher up we encountered a slight breeze which was very welcome.
The summit cairn of the Graham, Tullich Hill, was reached but we continued slightly further west where we sat and ate half our lunch with good views across Loch Long to the Arrochar Alps. In the far distance, to the south, were the Arran Hills.
After our break we descended the north-east ridge. It became quite rocky with a few crags which meant a bit of searching to locate a route round them. The bealach, Ant Sreang, was reached with some old metal fence posts visible on the south-west ridge of Ben Reoch. The ascent of this ridge was for some reason hard work so we were glad to reach its summit cairn where it was a bit cloudier. This peak has the classification of a Graham Top and a Hump.The Arrochar Alps were still clear and we now had views of the north end of Loch Lomond.
A slight descent and re-ascent took us to Ben Reoch’s East Top which is also a Graham Top. This was followed by another easy descent to the col with the Graham, Beinn Bhreac where a few peat hags were easily avoided. It was then a stroll up Beinn Bhreac’s south ridge, passed some fissures, and onto the summit trig point. Just before the top I was surprised when an eagle flew out from a crag but I was too slow in getting my camera out.
We had the second part of our lunch at this summit trying to catch any breeze as the midges were out. Here again we had some good views in particular towards the islands at the south end of Loch Lomond.
The return was down the south-west face towards the edge of the forest near Invergroin. The sun had reappeared but lower down the ground was a bit damp in places. We followed the edge of the forest, rough going in places, which led directly back to where I had left the car.
| Ben Reoch | second ascent | 661 metres |
Hill of Rothmaise
22 May 2011
| Map – OS Landranger 29. | Time taken – 1 hour. | Distance – 2.5 kilometres. | Ascent – 125 metres. |
On planning my ascents of the Marilyns, Hills of Foudland and Tillymorgan I discovered that Hill of Rothmaise, located to the east of Hill of Tillymorgan, was a Hump. However on studying my map there was no obvious route to the summit.
After ascending Hill of Tillymorgan I drove east from Culsalmond, on the A920, then along some minor roads looking for a suitable route to Hill of Rothmaise. I observed that the summit was surrounded by trees, as was the south side of the hill, this not being shown on my map. I was about to have a second look at a westerly approach when I spotted a car parked just off the main road, around 250 metres east of the junction with the B992 road to Auchterless. (NJ682328) On investigation I discovered a small car park and a directional sign for the hill.
A heavy shower prevented me from setting off immediately and as the rain eased a man, his two children and a dog, all looking rather bedraggled, returned to their car. He was local, so I enquired about a route to the summit and was advised there were several.
I took one of his recommended routes, which was slightly west of the car park and followed a wide fire break through, as a result of the rain shower, wet grass. The fire break swung round to an easterly direction and at NJ684332 I walked up a narrower fire break where there were traces of a path. Further along this break the trees were rather close together and I had to push my way through them. This narrow fire break will not be possible in future years as the trees mature.
The fire break led to the edge of the forest which I followed uphill before re-entering the trees and walking along another wide fire break to the summit trig point. Here I sat and had lunch with views south towards Bennachie. Views in other directions were restricted due to the fir trees.
After lunch my descent was by a slightly different route as I followed wide fire breaks until they rejoined the upward route at NJ684332.
| Hill of Rothmaise | first ascent | 261 metres |
Meall Dearg
3 May 2011
| Map – OS Landranger 15. | Time – 45 minutes. | Distance – 1.5 kilometres. | Ascent – 120 metres. |
We were staying at the new camp site at Altandhu, north of Achiltibuie, and in the evening, to catch the sunset, decided to climb the nearby Hump, Meall Dearg. I wasn’t aware of it’s classification until I checked my More Relative Hills of Britain book so this was another incentive to get up this hill. There was insufficient time to walk from the campsite so we made the short drive round to the Old Dornie single track road, located to the north of the Hump.
On leaving my vehicle we crossed an area of ground that would normally be boggy but wasn’t a problem due to the recent spell of dry weather, before climbing through heather and dead bracken towards the rocks higher up. They were easily avoided and we soon appeared on the undulating, rough summit area with views over the Marilyn, Meall an Fheadain to Cul Mor, which was still on fire, and Stac Pollaidh, which we had climbed earlier that day.
There were a couple of cairns in the vicinity of the North Top, as was the case with the true summit further south. Here we had fantastic views of Achiltibuie, the majority of the Summer Isles and the sun dropping towards The Minch. The only downside was the unexpected chilly wind.
After taking several photographs we returned by the ascent route as the sun set.
| Meall Dearg | first ascent | 163 metres |
Creag na h-Iolaire
10 March 2011
| Map – OS Landranger – 15. | Time taken – 1.75 hours. | Distance – 4 kilometres. | Ascent – 275 metres. |
Another windy day in Assynt saw me scanning the map for another Hump and discovering this 357 metre high hill to the west of the Quinag.
We drove east along the north shore of Loch Assynt to the house at Tumore where we found a parking space on the opposite, south, side of the road, and west of the dwelling. Directly opposite, a gate in the deer fence gave access to the path, signposted Glenlearaig 6.5 kilometres.
The path, which was initially wet and boggy, ran through an overgrown area but began to improve once through the second gate. We followed the path as it crossed the foot of the south-east side of Creag na h-Iolaire to the small lochan at Bealach Leireag with views of fresh snow cover on the Quinag.
From the bealach it was a steady climb of the east ridge of Creag na h_Iolaire, avoiding a few crags, to reach the summit area where we had views of the Assynt Hills and out to Loch Inver, Eddrachillis Bay and The Minch. Unfortunately the earlier brightness had been replaced by some cloud. There were a couple of areas of rock that could have been the highest point but I settled for the most northerly one.
The return was down the rough south ridge where we disturbed a large herd of deer and joined the path before the deer fence with a short wet and boggy walk back to the car.
| Creag na h-Iolaire | first ascent | 357 metres |
Sidhean Mor
7 March 2011
| Map – OS Landranger 15. | Time taken – 2.5 hours. | Distance – 7.5 kilometres. | Ascent – 345 metres. |
We were visiting the Assynt area in the North West Highlands of Scotland but the gale and storm force winds were preventing us climbing our planned hills. With no improvement in the conditions we decided to visit the Old Man of Stoer and climb the nearby Hump, Sidhean Mor. Well when I say visit I mean view it from the headland as it is separated from the mainland by the sea.
The car was left in the car park beside the Stoer Head Lighthouse and we followed the signed route north above the steep cliffs. It was a bright morning but very windy with good views back to the lighthouse. The sea was raging with the waves crashing against the cliffs.
A grassy gully, where sheep were sheltering, was crossed and beyond there were several trails to follow, mainly animal tracks. On reaching the projecting rock, Cirean Geardail, we had our first view of the Old Man of Stoer. On a small grassy area at the end of Cirean Geardail sheep were lying down but they didn’t look very safe, especially from the strong winds.
We descended quite steeply until we were opposite the Old Man but it was too windy to get close to the edge. The obligatory photograph was taken before continuing to the Point of Stoer where a small fence was crossed. Here there were views of the Sutherland coast, Handa Island and back to the Old Man.
To make an alternative return route we walked south over some rough ground to reach the summit of Sidhean Mor, marked by a trig point. From here we could make out the outline of Ben Stack, Arkle and Foinaven.
Afterwards we descended along the south-west ridge following a path. It later joined the access track to the telecommunication mast so we used this track to return to the car. Near the end we had to take a slight diversion to avoid cattle.
| Sidhean Mor | first ascent | 161 metres |
Sgorr Tuath
9 February 2010
| Map - OS Landranger 15. | Time taken - 6 hours. | Distance - 10 kilometres. | Ascent - 760 metres. |
The start for the ascent of Sgorr Tuath and the Graham, Beinn an Eoin was the single track unclassified Drumrunie to Achiltibuie Road at the east end of Loch Lurgainn. Parking is very limited here so it was the case of trying to get my vehicle off the road at a passing place. The next problem was getting through the gorse bushes on the south-west side of the road before descending to the wicket gate in the deer fence and crossing a small stream. A rough path was then followed to the south side of Feur-loch, where a number of swans were feeding.
We later left this path and headed over rough ground including some tussocky grass trying to avoid the holes that had been created for tree planting. This route took us below the rocks of Cioch Beinn an Eoin and into the corrie between Sgorr Tuath and Beinn an Eoin. From here we made a gradual ascent over red sandstone to the summit of the Hump, Sgorr Tuath, where we had terrific views of Stac Pollaidh, Suilven, Cul Mor, Cul Beag and out to the Summer Isles.
After lingering here for a while we walked towards Sgorr Tuath’s West Top with views of pinnacles and weathered sandstone. Near the West Top there was a fissure containing some snow, which could be quite dangerous for the unwary. The descent was over heather, snow and rocks to the Bealach Beinn an Eoin with its frozen hanging lochan. The North-West Top of Beinn an Eoin was climbed and we found shelter from a chilly wind to eat lunch. This spot gave us views of Ben More Coigach and Sgurr an Fhidhleir, which we had climbed a few days earlier.
There were some flurries of snow during lunch and afterwards we made a short descent south-east before the final climb over some hard packed snow and ice to Sgorr Deas, the highest point on Beinn an Eoin. From here we continued south-east then east spotting a few snow buntings. Once at a suitable point we descended over some rough ground to the Allt Claonaidh which we crossed and joined the path that can be used to access Ben More Coigach. We followed this path back to the start.
| Sgorr Tuath | second ascent | 589 metres |
Sgorr Tuath
8 June 2008
| Map - OS Landranger 15. | Time taken - 4.25 hours. | Distance - 9.5 kilometres. | Ascent - 760 metres. |
I found a parking spot on the unclassified road that runs from Drumrunie to Achiltibuie at the south-east end of Loch Lurgainn, where parking on this single track road was at a premium. Drumrunie is on the A835 Ledmore Junction to Ullapool Road.
I selected this Graham as I read that there was lots of bog to cross so as it had been relatively dry recently I thought this was a good time to climb it. On leaving my car I heard the obligatory cuckoo. They seem to have been on all my walks recently. At the east side of the road bridge just before the loch, I dropped down to a deer fence where there was a wicket gate. I then crossed a rather dry stream before following a walker’s path up the side of the Allt Claonaidh. This is one of the routes to Ben More Coigach.
I remained on this path for as long as possible, in fact a little longer than planned as the stream went through a gully and I couldn't get across. Once on the other side of the stream I headed directly for the summit of Cioch Beinn an Eoin. Initially the vegetation was rather long due to the exclusion of deer, and it would normally be boggy. Some tree planting had taken place here as well. This was followed by a steep climb, avoiding lots of rocks, to the summit, where there were some fantastic views over the lochs out west and to Stac Pollaidh, Suilven, Cul Mor and Cul Beag.
A short descent was followed by a steady climb to the rather rock strewn summit of Beinn an Eoin, another good viewpoint. This was actually the target for the day but I had planned to take in an adjoining top especially as the weather was fine, although it was rather windy high up. From the summit cairn of Sgorr Deas, the highest point on Beinn an Eoin, I walked over to its North-West Top again with views of the lochs out west and the Achiltibuie peninsula.
It was then a steep descent to the ‘hanging lochan’ located between Sgorr Deas and the Hump, Sgorr Tuath. Beyond the lochan the gradient wasn't any easier as I climbed to the west top of Sgorr Tuath avoiding some weathered rocks. There was a rather narrow cleft here, partly concealed by vegetation, which could cause a problem to the unwary.
I walked over to the actual summit of Sgorr Tuath passing some more sculptured rock caused by the weather. Thereafter steeply down towards the outflow of the hanging lochan where I spotted a mountain hare running off. Lower down the terrain was rather awkward to cross due to the length of vegetation but again the bog was relatively dry. As I made my way round the foot of Cioch Beinn an Eoin I came across some more new trees so this route could become a bit difficult once they mature.
Eventually after lots of rough walking I joined the path used on the upward route and used it to return to the Achilibuie road.
| Sgorr Tuath | first ascent | 589 metres |
Ben Reoch
21 September 2007
| Map - OSLandranger 56. | Time taken - 4 hours. | Distance 9 kilometres. | Ascent - 1010 metres. |
The start of this walk was Invergroin in Glen Douglas reached from the A82 Glasgow to Tarbert Road at Inverbeg. There was very limited parking at Invergroin where there was a bungalow and static caravan. The adjacent Tullich Farm appeared to be derelict.
I parked on the bridge between Invergroin and Tullich Farm and walked east for a few metres to the gate leading to the static caravan. I went through the gate and followed an All Terrain Vehicle track towards the Graham, Beinn Bhreac through another couple of gates. The ground was rather waterlogged due to the recent poor weather. Higher up the ground was a bit steeper with a few rocky outcrops.
The summit trig point on Beinn Bhreac was reached where there was a strong cool wind blowing. The views down Loch Lomond made up for the inconvenience of the wind. Once I had taken a few photographs I headed along Beinn Bhreac’s north ridge to its bealach with Ben Reoch. Here I decided to climb the Hump, Ben Reoch as it appeared an easier option than to traverse to the bealach at Ant-Sreang.
I ascended Ben Reoch where it was very windy and walking into the wind was hard work. However once I descended towards the Ant-Sreang bealach walking became easier. Fence posts would assist navigation in poor weather but they do go over several rocky outcrops. I kept to the north of the fence posts and on reaching the Ant-Sreang bealach found it to be wet and boggy.
Once on the other side of this bealach I commenced the ascent of the Graham, Tullich Hill, as the rain started but it was short lived. I kept to the north of a rib of rock and worked my way through long vegetation to the summit of Tullich Hill. The actual summit wasn’t that clear. There were several knolls with a couple of cairns on two of them. The largest cairn was on the west end of the rather large summit area so it may be the highest point.
I descended the south-east ridge of Tullich Hill where lower down it was again rather wet and boggy before I reached the road in Glen Douglas at Tullich Farm.
| Ben Reoch | first ascent | 661 metres |
Meall an Lundain
3 November 2006
| Map - OS Landranger 36 & 43. | Time taken - 8.75 hours. | Distance - 27 kilometres. | Ascent - 900 metres. |
The starting point for this walk was the popular car park at the Linn of Dee, several miles west of Braemar. From here we followed the path through the woods which joined the vehicle track beside the Lui Water. This track was followed as far as the path leading to Clais Fhearnaig.
I have climbed the Munro, Beinn Bhreac several times from Glen Derry but have never found a satisfactory route. On this occasion I decided on a different approach so at the path leading to Clais Fhearnaig I followed it for about 500 metres before heading directly onto Meall an Lundain. This route followed the occasional animal path but was mainly through heather and vegetation, some of it fairly deep. We disturbed quite a few grouse as we headed uphill and a couple of roe deer.
Eventually we reached the Hump, Meall an Lundain, which was marked by a cairn and had some good views of the snow covered Beinn a'Bhuird. In fact it was quite a pleasant day with mainly light winds and reasonable visibility although further west there was some cloud hanging around the summits. The only downside to this route was a descent of around 80 metres but it was a gentle slope before the climb to the Munro, Beinn Bhreac.
From Beinn Bhreac we descended to the east of Craig Derry and thereafter crossed the Moine Bhealach which was pitted with peat hags and small pools. However the ground was a bit firmer than normal due to recent frosts but wouldn't hold our weight. One of my clients disturbed a vole while crossing one of the peat hags.
Once west of Moine Bhealach we left the peat hags and climbed the south ridge of Beinn a'Chaorainn where we spotted mountain hares and ptarmigan, both changing to their white winter colour. On reaching the summit we had some lunch in the sun but there was a cold breeze. However the views were good and clear.
Once we had a quick bite to eat we descended into Glen Derry and followed the path to Derry Lodge, watched by red deer on the slopes of Craig Derry. From Derry Lodge the vehicle track led us back to the car park at the Linn of Dee. We saw a couple of roe deer, well it could have been the same two we disturbed in the morning, feeding close to the track.
It was almost dark when we reached the car park and here a few hill walkers were setting off probably to stay in the bothy at Derry Lodge. They would have to join a couple of dogs who had already booked their space there.
| Meall an Lundain | first ascent | 777 metres |