Carn Dearg, Monadhliath, & Beinn na h-Eaglaise, Torridon - Sunday 21 July 2025
Carn Dearg
Despite a poor forecast, four resolute members arrived in Glen Banchor car park to dry conditions and broken cloud, having left the rain behind in Inverness. Where we dreaming?
With a flexible plan, we set off briskly up a good track for Carn Dearg, leaving the option of a full round open. The heather was lighting up the hills either side of Gleann Fionndrigh and we soon discovered the Blaeberry were ripening nicely.
Shortly afterwards we negotiated a rickety bridge and the track turned into a boggy bealach. Traversing a wide bog-tussock-burn hillside by the most efficient route nevertheless disturbed the midges as we stopped to don waterproofs, and later to remove them. A group of four behind us appeared to follow the winding ATV tracks and probably walked several kilometres more! A grassy ramp, with wild flowers, took us to within 300m of the cloud-covered summit that we’d glimpsed a few times on the walk in.
We all had a lovely day exploring different facets of the Monadhliath, covering 20km in the end for one Munro; compared to the 24km circuit of three that was planned, but that can wait for another day. The waterproofs were needed, as was some careful navigation, but certainly not the changes of clothes that were expected from the forecast!
Taking part: Martyn, May, Stela & Martin.
Words: Martin; Photos: Martyn, Stela & Martin
Following lunch, and a decision to stick together for a southern return loop, the cloud lifted and we were treated to views around the Monadhliadh and across to the Drumochter Hills. Descending over Carn Macoul we surprised 20-head of Red Deer (can you spot them?) because the wind was in our favour. There were also plenty of wild flowers including Harebell and Bog Asphodel to complement the shades of heather (ling, bell, and the decline of the cross-leafed heath). The steep descent through Bog Myrtle took us to the Allt an Lochain Duibh and the River Calder for a steady pace back to the cars in sunshine. May’s conviction of always taking sunglasses certainly paid off.
Beinn na h-Eaglaise, Torridon
Arthur and Mel were unsure about going out in the rainy forecast but Daniel was keen to get out so they made their way across to Torridon with the skies brightening slowly as they travelled west (unusually!). The carpark at the Torridon hotel was surprisingly midge free and was a good place to start winding up the path through the trees. The views towards Ben Damh opened up although only to a height of about 600m. Soon after crossing the river, pathless open hillside was climbed to get to the top. There is a cairn on a false summit, in the clag causing a little bit of confusion, but soldiering on they finally found the true summit.
Arthur managed to find a hidden retreat (bothy style that is locked) to investigate and provide a spot for lunch.
Eventually, the clag relented at 600m opening views towards Maol Chean-Dearg's slopes and Loch an Eoin where they descended between broken slabs. A good, if a bit rough, path then led all the way back to Annat and a slightly more midgie carpark. An excellent day, much better than the forecast suggested!
Taking part: Arthur, Mel and new member Daniel.
Words: Mel;