Rannoch and Glen Lyon: Stuchd an Lochain (197) and Meall Buidhe (248)
Walk date: 08/10/06
My Munro #'s: 91 and 92
Pronunciations - translations - heights:
Stoochk an lochan - Peak of the Small Loch - 960m,
Myowl boo-ee - Yellow Hill - 932m.
Original plotted route in blue, route taken in red:
E along Glen Lyon from Creag an Fheadain:
Stuchd an Lochain and in its corrie, Lochan nan Cat:
The easy walking to the summit:
The second hill, Meall Buidhe, across the Glen:
On the slopes of Meall Buidhe, Stuchd an Lochain far L:
Meall Buidhe (L) and Meall Garbh (R):
Across Rannoch Moor and Loch Laidon, the opening of Glencoe:
And the tall fella in the middle is Ben Nevis:
Walk 2. Sunday. 10:15 - 15:30. Solo. Weather - dry but with high winds on tops. Finding the walk itself is a little tricky! As you're driving up the glen, take the right turn marked 'Loch Estates', as Lochan Daimh is not sign-posted. Then once on this road, watch out for the cattle gate that you have to open and close as you go on your way.
My book recommended doing these two hills as part of a large circuit rather than as two separate walks, thus taking in the head of Lochan Daimh and, by necessity to get there, the steep descent off Sron a' Choire Chnapanich. The main draw for this alternative according to my book was the 'remarkable' feeling of remoteness offered by the head of the lochan, but considering that I hadn't seen a soul the whole of the previous day, I'd had my fill of remoteness, and what with the prospect of a long drive back to Aberdeen in the evening, I soon changed my mind and opted for the easier plan of 2x1 Munro walks.
Once safely parked, I headed for the more difficult Munro first, taking a path marked with a cairn as it leaves the grit-track along the lochside. This path is all that is needed for the peak, but it keeps at a short height for a stretch until the boat house is passed. There was no need to fear the lack of climbing however, as the path then makes a tight turn upwards onto Creag Fheadain, from where the route ahead to Stuchd an Lochain is clear. Easy walking then lead to the summit, with fine views all around and into the steep corrie. A trotting pace back along the path saw me back by the car within an hour after 1:45 up!
The second Munro has a much more subtle path leading from the grit-track, and a keen eye is needed to see its faint start. Once on it however, the going is straightforward and well marked, with just a short stretch of bogland to slow you down. There are various small paths all around, but they all do seem to be going in the same general direction. Once the first cairn of the broad summit ridge is seen, then its all plain sailing with enjoyable walking on top. With a good day for views like this one, the opening of Glencoe can be seen across Rannoch Moor as well as Ben Nevis itself, standing proud over its neighbours. the summit is soon taken in and an about-face brings forth another rapid descent.
My Munro #'s: 91 and 92
Pronunciations - translations - heights:
Stoochk an lochan - Peak of the Small Loch - 960m,
Myowl boo-ee - Yellow Hill - 932m.
Original plotted route in blue, route taken in red:
E along Glen Lyon from Creag an Fheadain:
Stuchd an Lochain and in its corrie, Lochan nan Cat:
The easy walking to the summit:
The second hill, Meall Buidhe, across the Glen:
On the slopes of Meall Buidhe, Stuchd an Lochain far L:
Meall Buidhe (L) and Meall Garbh (R):
Across Rannoch Moor and Loch Laidon, the opening of Glencoe:
And the tall fella in the middle is Ben Nevis:
Walk 2. Sunday. 10:15 - 15:30. Solo. Weather - dry but with high winds on tops. Finding the walk itself is a little tricky! As you're driving up the glen, take the right turn marked 'Loch Estates', as Lochan Daimh is not sign-posted. Then once on this road, watch out for the cattle gate that you have to open and close as you go on your way.
My book recommended doing these two hills as part of a large circuit rather than as two separate walks, thus taking in the head of Lochan Daimh and, by necessity to get there, the steep descent off Sron a' Choire Chnapanich. The main draw for this alternative according to my book was the 'remarkable' feeling of remoteness offered by the head of the lochan, but considering that I hadn't seen a soul the whole of the previous day, I'd had my fill of remoteness, and what with the prospect of a long drive back to Aberdeen in the evening, I soon changed my mind and opted for the easier plan of 2x1 Munro walks.
Once safely parked, I headed for the more difficult Munro first, taking a path marked with a cairn as it leaves the grit-track along the lochside. This path is all that is needed for the peak, but it keeps at a short height for a stretch until the boat house is passed. There was no need to fear the lack of climbing however, as the path then makes a tight turn upwards onto Creag Fheadain, from where the route ahead to Stuchd an Lochain is clear. Easy walking then lead to the summit, with fine views all around and into the steep corrie. A trotting pace back along the path saw me back by the car within an hour after 1:45 up!
The second Munro has a much more subtle path leading from the grit-track, and a keen eye is needed to see its faint start. Once on it however, the going is straightforward and well marked, with just a short stretch of bogland to slow you down. There are various small paths all around, but they all do seem to be going in the same general direction. Once the first cairn of the broad summit ridge is seen, then its all plain sailing with enjoyable walking on top. With a good day for views like this one, the opening of Glencoe can be seen across Rannoch Moor as well as Ben Nevis itself, standing proud over its neighbours. the summit is soon taken in and an about-face brings forth another rapid descent.
Labels: Glen Lyon, Meall Buidhe, mountain, munro, Rannoch, Stuchd an Lochain
posted by George at 16:34
2 Comments:
Cheers Simon, it was even better in real life. However, then you have to contend with the weather!!
Spectacular as ever!
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