Meall a’Bhuachaille and the Loch Lochy Munros - 9 Nov 2025

Meall a’Bhuachaille to Craiggowrie, Glenmore Walk

As we gathered at the Glen More Visitor car park at 9 a.m., an armistice day piper plays a short tune by the memorial to commemorate the Norwegian resistant fighters of WW2 who stayed and trained in the area from 1941 – 45. We reflected on the “Shetland Bus” as we passed the memorial boulder that stands in front of the Visitor Centre.

May, Erik, Maz, Karlolina, Kieran, Stela, Łukasz, Carol, Jill, Martyn and prospective member Emily set off on the higher path towards An Lochan Uaine. The pine forest in this glacial outflow channel from the glacier that occupied Glenmore never fails to impress.

 The air is damp, and the wet roots make it slippery underfoot but there is a freshness to the air and colours are livid even as the clouds gather. It seems like no time before we have arrived at An Lochan Uaine, The Green Lochan, looking a darker murkier shade today. A moment to take in the view before we join the main path that leads to refurbished Ryvoan bothy where we take a sharp left, leaving the Nethy Bridge route to begin the steep slog up the Muell a Bhuachaille.

The team spread out as the wind steadily gained strength. It was worth stopping for a breather and to take in the panoramic view as the recently maintained stone path heads steeply upwards, the healthy young trees on either side give way to a more exposed part of the hill where the wind is strong and nearly blows me off my feet.  A rainbow to our right as the top is in sight. We pile into the cairn shelter to get out of the wind. The summit plateau of the Cairngorm to the south looked very unfriendly with cloud and rain. After regrouping, a quick bite and a sip of drink, we head off, passing and ignoring the turn off to our left that heads back to the visitor centre, we carry on towards Creagan Corm. There is a large erratic boulder where some of the group scramble on and photos are taken. The path turns very boggy and the wet brings out the greens, browns and white of the granite and the lichen but the rain soon stops.

On Creaggowrie the rain started, and lunch was taken. Not the best timing.  After lunch the team started the descent. As we drop down the wind eases. We stumble through rough heather and are rewarded with some second fruiting blaeberries. The descent was a little boggy and the team entered an area of felled trees. Not surprisingly the path was lost in the muddle of branches.  Eventually the path was gained leading to an easy flat jaunt along the old logging way. The sun breaks out with a view of our recent traverse on our left and we try to name the hills to our right.  Through a quiet Badaguish Centre to arrive back at The Visitor Centre just after 2.30 pm just in time to bump into 2 other club member friends, who have been on a cycle ride, and we all mange to fit round one big table in the Visitor Centre café.  An exhilarating day out in great and diverse company.

Taking Part: May, Erik, Maz, Karlolina, Kieran, Stela, Łukasz, Carol, Jill, Martyn, and prospective member Emily. 

Words: Carol and Martyn

Pictures: Łukasz, Max, Kieran and Martyn