Get Lost Mountaineering

Carn na Nathrach from Loch Linnhe

Start/Finish

Entrance to Glen Scaddle on the A861 on the W side of Loch Linnhe at about NM 018 684 where there is a gravel parking area.

Distance/Time

36 km (of which about 22 km can be cycled).      Approx 10 hours.

Peaks

Carn na Nathrach, 786 m, NM 887 699. OS sheets 40 & 41.

Introduction

Carn na Nathrach is essentially a long narrow mountain which stretches from Glen Hurlich in the W to the head of Glen Scaddle in the E. The usual approach is from Glen Hurlich but this much longer approach is from the E although it does save the time to drive to Glen Hurlich which is about an hour each way from the Corran Ferry.

Route

(1) Walk or cycle along the track on the S side of Glen Scaddle. The track passes 2 obvious plantations before entering the third which has a clearing in the middle. The track climbs in this plantation before eventually descending to a bridge across the River Scaddle then following the N bank to the locked cottage of Tighnacomaire. In the windows of this cottage are notices saying that there is an overnight shelter 10 minutes walk to the W. This turns out to be a corrugated shed open to the E! After here, the track becomes a path and crosses the burn coming down from Lochan Dubh then continues W below Carn na Nathrach. Leave the path at the junction with a small cairn and climb NW on grassy slopes to gain the reasonably well defined E ridge of Carn na Nathrach – there is no path. Continue up this pathless ridge over Sron Beinne Mheadhoin and many, many shoulders to reach the obvious summit cairn of Carn na Nathrach, 786 m.

(2) Return by the same route but do not be tempted to take the path on the N bank of the River Scaddle from the bridge E of Tighnacomaire as it is frequently faint and boggy.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 22^nd August, 1998 and 14^th May, 2010.