Maoile Lunndaidh and Geal Charn - 12 July 2026

Maoile Lunndaidh

We met at the Strathfarrer gate just before 9am and decanted into two cars. Richard and Orla, Graham and Skye,Greg,Euan and aspiring members Bethan and Audrey. The plan was to climb the mountain and return to the gate before its closure at 8pm. It was going to be a long day and the forecast promised a hot one.

We parked at the Monar dam and headed east past the lodge on a good footpath above the shores of Loch Monar crossing three significant burns until we reached the bridge  and track to head up the valley to the west of Creag Breac. 

We then headed towards Toll a Choin then onto the ridge to the north east which gave us a steep climb onto the flat summit of Maoile Lunndaidh. We went to both summit cairns as it had been pointed out that the cairn to the south west was now identified as the Munro summit. The tops were in cloud and it gave the opportunity to cool off from the rising temperature below. A quick lunch as we were aware of the time

We then headed east down the ridge towards Torran Ceann Liath where we met the good footpath down to Loch Monar and the heat of the valley. It was a long walk back through this wonderfully remote and scenic part of the Highlands. We were back at the gate with more than an hour to spare.

It was great to get feedback on the outing. Audrey thanked the company for a relaxed and enjoyable hill day while Greg felt it was a stunning day out with the sun glimmering over Loch Monar. Graham enjoyed the human and canine company and was appreciative of the dog snacks brought by others.

Taking part: Euan, Graham, Greg, Richard, with prospective members Audrey & Bethan.

Words: Richard; Photos:  Greg & Graham

Geal Charn, Monadhliath

The weather Gods had been kind with sun and warm temperatures predicted for my first suggested Club walk and all was looking good. Marion and I had spent the first part of the week-end further South and sure enough the weather was fine. Driving back through Newtonmore however late Saturday evening things deteriorated and visibility was awful. 

Once back in Inverness and checking the MVIS Forecast for the Monadh Liath area the next day added to our concern talking about a "thick cloud aspect" and that "navigation will be challenging".

We kept the faith however and we mutually all agreed by email we would still meet up as planned and miraculously the weather improved overnight ahead of our scheduled departure time of 10am. Jan had camped overnight in her van and was all ready to set off.

I asked May and Jan if they had climbed many Munros and they replied yes all of them. Respect. Very modestly they both downplayed this and said "Oh you'll meet plenty of Club Members who have climbed all the Munros".

Geal Charn is the most westerly of the Monadh Liath Munros and for this walk we had decided to approach the top via the east bank of the Feith Talagain from Garva Bridge west of Laggan. In good weather navigation is straightforward and we made good progress to the summit cairn. The ground is boggy at the best of times and the recent rain had not helped but it was perfectly passable.

Near the summit I met a nice couple with a 2 year old Collie who it transpires had already climbed over 20 Munros in his young life. Amazing.

At 926m Geal Charn is not a huge Munro but I recounted to the others how on a previous occasion when Marion and I had climbed it outwith the Club some random stranger camping at Garva Bridge claimed to me it is not a Munro at all and even furnished "evidence". Closer inspection revealed he was looking at a different Geal Charn and had the wrong OS Map.

After a welcome drink and snack stop at the Summit Cairn we all headed back to Garva Bridge by the same route as we thought after the recent heavy rain the alternative route via the Markie Burn might be troublesome.

We said good bye to Jan while Marion, May, Helen and I had a very pleasant drink at The Highlander Hotel back in Newtonmore for an enjoyable catch up and reflections on another great day in the hills.

Taking part: Tony, Marion, Helen, Jan, May;

Words and photos: Tony