Get Lost Mountaineering

Meall Mor from Eileanach Lodge in Glen Glass

Start/Finish

Just before Eileanach Lodge (locked gate) at the end of the public road in Glen Glass. From Dingwall or the A9 causeway over the Cromarty Firth, drive N, along the A9, until the turn off for Evanton, about 2 miles N of the causeway. Drive through the village. On the far side, turn left, signed for Glen Glass, just after the bridge across the river. Note that this is the river after the village not the one before. Drive along the narrow road, with few passing places, for about 5 miles to the end of Glen Glass just before Eileanach Lodge where there are large iron gates on a bridge. There is a small parking space here for about 4 cars. If it is full, there is more parking about 400 m back.

Distance/Time

15 km.      About 5 hours.

Peaks

Meall Mor, 738 m, NH 515 745.      OS maps 20 & 21.

Introduction

This is a fairly straightforward walk although some of the ground can be rough and boggy. Meall Mor is a very good viewpoint for Ben Wyvis, Beinn nan Eun, Carn Chuinneag and Carn Salachaidh.

Route

(1) Cross the bridge (side gate) and walk up the track past Eileanach Lodge. Soon reach a junction. Turn right. After about 1.5 km, turn right on to another track and cross a weakening stile by a locked gate. Continue on the track which crosses a weir then reaches another track. Turn left and walk NW for about 300 m to where a rougher, more grassy track, forks right heading up into the forest. This track is not that obvious and could be missed. Follow the track up through the forest. It runs in a fairly straight line heading almost due N. Ignore all turnings. The track leaves the forest after about 2.5 km and continues into the wind turbines. Use the track to reach the most north westerly turbine. A faint path starts here, heading NW, but it can be difficult to follow as there are peat hags almost immediately. Once through these, the going is better and an ATV track may be noticed ahead which can be followed up on to the E shoulder of Meall Mor. An old fence comes in from the right about here and this goes towards the summit. A mound which looks like a cairn and has a wall on one side is passed about 60 m before the trig point which marks the summit of Meall Mor, 738 m.

(2) Retrace the outward route.

Notes

(a) This route was walked on 4^th August, 2005, and 16^th July, 2014.

(b) There is a good track amongst the wind turbines. This appears to come up from Easter Ballone on a minor road which leaves the B9176 road between Alness and Ardgay at Contullich. This does not seem any shorter but may offer the possibility of cycling up to the crest. This route, however, has not been checked out.

(c) If you don't mind the driving, Dingwall Camping and Caravanning Club site is well placed for access to Glen Affrric, Loch Mullardoch, Glen Strathfarrar, Strathconon, Ben Wyvis, Achnasheen, Kinlochewe. Fannaichs, Loch Glascarnoch, Beinn Dearg range and lower hills on the coast. The site is virtually midge free. It pays to be a member otherwise there are surcharges. There is an over 50's discount outside of the High Season. Electrical hook ups are possible for campers. Dingwall has a 24 hour Tesco. The start is about 12 miles from Dingwall.