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Meall Fuar-mhonaidh & Glas-bheinn Mhor from Balbeg

Start/Finish

End of the minor public road at Balbeg which is about 3 miles from Drumnadrochit which, itself, is on the A82 road from Fort William to Inverness. From Drumnadrochit, drive south, for about a mile, to Borlum Bridge then take the signed road for Bunloit. Early on, this road climbs steeply with a few hairpin bends. This could be very awkward in winter. At Balbeg, there is a designated small car park just before the end of the road after which there is a pottery.

Distance/Time

14 km     About 6 -7 hours

Peaks

Meall Fuar-mhonaidh, 699 m, NH 457 222.

Glas-bheinn Mhor, 651 m, NH 436 231.    OS sheet 26.

Introduction

This is not a particularly pleasant walk as much of the going is rough, pathless, wet and boggy. There is also a very high stile which will put some off even on a calm day and many on a wet and windy day. This walk is only recommended for dedicated “Graham” baggers, those who have escaped from the asylum and terminal masochists! These two hills are some way from other mountains so only distant views will be enjoyed. There are pleasant views down to and across Loch Ness. The pottery is worth a visit.

Route

(1) Continue along the road. The way is well signed and a path leaves the road just before it turns into the pottery. Follow the obvious path which has been engineered in places. It goes through a birch wood and crosses a track before emerging on the open hill side below the NE ridge of Meall Fuar-mhonaidh. The path now deteriorates and is mainly a stony groove with some peaty sections. Eventually, the path leads to a very high stile over a high fence; it is rare to see a stile this high. Once over the stile, a rough path leads SW up the NE ridge. This is mainly peaty but there are many very wet and boggy sections as well as some stony sections. Eventually, one reaches the summit plateau where there is a large cairn. Continue on the path which passes a cairn on either side, before reaching a large (4^th) cairn which marks the summit of Meall Fuar-mhonaidh, 699 m.

(2) Continue SW, descending along the crest but drift over to the right, NW, side so that one can see Loch nam Breac Dearga below. The ground is moderately steep but there are hints of animal tracks. Continue for about 1 km until above the end of the loch then descend carefully down the steep, grassy slopes. There are a few small crags which are easily avoided. Once down, there is a cairn near the SW end of the loch but no obvious path nor is there an obvious line to take up Glas-bheinn Mhor which has several cross ridges and terraces. Ascend roughly, NW, looking for a good line. There are many wet, peaty and boggy sections which will necessitate detours and the ascent may become frustrating but there are no real difficulties. Continue up to eventually reach the summit plateau where there is a trig point and medium cairn about 30 m apart. It is difficult to tell which is the higher so visit both. One is obviously the summit of Glas-bheinn Mhor, 651 m. There are other tops which may look higher but they are not.

(3) The descent is similar to the ascent. Go roughly E, aiming for the N end of Loch nam Breac Dearga. When this is reached, follow the loch side around (faint path) to reach a cairn below the crags. Walk uphill, on gentle grassy slopes (initially!) heading roughly NE. There is a faint path. Keep going and aim to continue around, and below, the crags to rejoin the NE ridge of Meall Fuar-mhonaidh. There is actually a faint path which is wet and boggy but does guide one below the crags and makes a gentle rising ascent to the NE ridge. Once back on the ridge, follow the outward path down to the stile then through the wood. There is a gate which says the car park is only 250 m away – it is more like 750 m!

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 21^st June, 2015, and about ten years previously.