An Cruachan, Saturday 26 August 2026

A Long Walk to An Cruachan

An Cruachan is a very remote 706m high Graham usually accessed from Kililan and Iron Lodge to its southwest. We were to approach it from the east.

Martin, Mel, Richard and Orla met at the Strathfarrar gate at 8.45 to access the glen by 9am. While waiting we got a hint of the midges to come. The weather was wet on the journey there but it cleared into an overcast and muggy day. It took 1/2 hour to drive to the starting point of the walk crossing both dams at Monar on the way to the small power station to the north of Carn nan Gobhar. At this point we were nearer the west coast than the east coast. The power station had a great arch of water coming out at great force, demonstrating the potential energy being utilised.

We decided to return to the stalkers track on a line due west from the mountain and this proved to be more direct although still tough terrain. Ever present were dark hairy caterpillars with thin orange bands, the fox moth, seemingly every couple of metres across the huge expanse of peatland. The stalkers path was very welcome when we reached it and it was a straightforward although demanding walk back to the car where, without changing footwear or clean clothing to escape the wee beasties, we got back to the gate in good time.

We were pleased with ourselves in having a long remote and atmospheric walk without having to drive to western Kintail.

Taking part: Richard, Martin, Mel

Words: Richard; Photos: Martin

The other walks on the day were – Spidean Mealach and Gleouraich near Loch Quoich, attracting the most participants, and Sgor Gaoith in the Cairngorms.

The stalkers path took us west for approximately 5k where it petered out below Meallian Buidhe na Fheadain (approximately the little yellow knoll of the chanter). Incidentally the path carries on approximately 1k further than shown on the OS Landranger. This took us into a pathless terrain of bog and peat hag which was extremely hard going, but was rewarded by the great feeling of remoteness.

 We picked up an ATV track which took us further north than expected but the going was easier and quicker and allowed us to access the 672m spot height from an easier slope from the south west. We reached the summit of An Cruachan at 1.30pm and had lunch on the move to minimise the midge intrusion.