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Uamh Bheag

Uamh Bheag from Glen Artney Church

Start/Finish

Car park opposite Glen Artney Church. Glen Artney is a minor road off the B827 Comrie to Braco road.

Distance/Time

10 km About 4 -5 hours

Peaks

Meall Clachach, 621 m, NN 688 125.

Uamh Bheag, 664 m, NN 691 118.

Uamh Bheag East Top, 664 m, NN 696 119. OS sheet 57.

Introduction

Technically, these hills are Donalds or Donald Tops as they lie, just, south of the Highland boundary fault. Uamh Bheag is also a Graham but it has a twin top, its East Top of the same height which ought to be visited as well if one is to claim the Graham “tick”. The ascent of Uamh Bheag and its twin is relatively straightforward although the ascent of Am Beannan is on steep grass which would be tricky in winter conditions. Some fences, without stiles have to be crossed. These are not as high as deer fences but not low enough to step over.

Route

(1) From the car park, walk along the road up Glen Artney to where it crosses the Water of Ruchill at a stone bridge. Leave the road here and follow a path along the E side of the river. The path improves with distance. After just over 1 km, a large tributary is reached. Follow a faint path up its N bank past a series of waterfalls. When the burn starts to level off, look for a bridge across it. Cross carefully as it has no handrails. On the other side is a path but it soon peters out so head roughly S, passing an old stone walled sheep enclosure, for the obvious steep ridge of Am Beannan. Ascend on steep grass to reach a gentle grassy/heathery broad ridge. There is a path up this gentle ridge which leads through some peat hags then converges with a fence to reach the top of Meall Clachach, 621 m. Another fence joins at this point next to a boulder. Observation on the ground suggests that the highest point is not where the fences meet but, perhaps, about 100 m up the second fence near a substantial iron post.

(2) From the boulder, continue following the fence down into a shallow dip. A short detour to the left, E, is advisable to avoid some peat hags but regain the fence line as soon as possible and follow it up to a fence junction where there is a small cairn which marks the summit of Uamh Bheag, 664 m. On 16/3/12, there was an iron post in this cairn with a wooden “helmet” on it decorated with a smiling face.

(3) Follow the fence which heads roughly E, crossing a shallow hollow to reach a trig point at a height of 662 m. To include Uamh Bheag's twin, it is necessary to make a short diversion here to the N, across a peaty hollow to a broad plateau. It is difficult to find the highest point on the ground but there is a small group of stones (pile would be an exaggeration) which may, or may not be, the highest point of Uamh Bheag East Top, 664 m.

(4) From the east top, walk, for about 4 km, initially N then NE then N/NE again to reach the abandoned cottage at Auchnashelloch. The going underfoot is mainly pathless but not too bad. The Allt Ollach has to be crossed which is not usually a problem. In spate conditions, it may have to be crossed higher up. Auchnashelloch Hill is traversed on its E flank. From the cottage, there is a short track which meets the road almost opposite the car park.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 16th February, 2009, and 21st March, 2012.

(b) This ascent of Am Beannan would be a very serious undertaking in winter conditions and ice axe and crampons would be essential.

(c) To walk the whole range means continuing to Beinn Odhad and Beinn nan Eun but this involves crossing numerous peat hags. This route is described in a separate walk.

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