Culra and Corrour Munros Weekender

Being 50+, I got me one of Scotrail’s Club 50 railcards. The main advantage of this is that several times a year they run a 6-week long promotion that offers off-peak return travel anywhere in Scotland for £17. A recipe for a cheap weekend away if ever there was one. I booked ahead as I needed a bike space as well.

The 22nd June was the solstice this year and I found myself camping out on our highest local hill ‘Ben Cluech’ with some like-minded folks. Upon getting home the rucksack was unloaded and then loaded afresh and the bike prepared. It was time for a much-needed adventure!

A trouble-free train journey got me to Dalwhinnie, and after stocking up with chocolate at the garage, I enjoyed a decent bike ride beyond Culra where I found somewhere to hide my bike as the rest of the trip was going to be on foot. I did consider kipping beside the river, but instead opted for some height, finding a nice flat area, near a burn with decent views of Loch Ericht.

Overnight it rained rather, but dawn brought some sunshine, which unfortunately didn’t last! I was not exactly rapid striking camp as was evidenced by some folks I saw on the ridgeline who I later learned had started from Dalwhinnie that morning!

The first summit was Carn Dearg, which offered views over to Ben Alder. I passed the pair of Lochans either side of the ridge, and began the climb up to Geal-Charn unfortunately in the clag and drizzel! No views, but somewhere to hide from the wind.

My next Munro, Aonach Beag was the highest of this walk @1116M. Fleeting views from this one, but not exactly the weather that the forecast had promised me thus far! I met a slightly nervous, mapless hill walker on this summit. He was going the other way, he had a compass which I ended up setting for him so he could follow it to his next summit!

The walk takes on a slightly different character from here following a narrow ride line towards my forth Munro, Beinn Eibhinn. This is the best viewpoint on this walk, perched right on the edge of a Corrie which I almost went over in the snow on my first round!

Beinn Eibhinn marked the start of my descent towards Loch Ossian. Lower down I could see what looked like a decent track so I made a beeline for it, this turned out to be a swampy argo track! I reached the main track and perched myself on a rock for a wee while enjoying a square or three of that chocolate!

My plan from here was to head up Beinn na Lap from the east. Quite pathless this side, but an argo track made the lower flat boggy bit pass quickly enough. I began the climb, with the wind speeds increasing, the time getting on and my energy levels depleting! I came upon a flat area just below the summit and opted to put the tent up there for some additional shelter from the elements.

Dinner eaten, I fell asleep waking up at about 10pm to a howling gale and the rain battering the tent. Glad I stopped when I did!

The next morning the clag had dropped right down into the glen, it was also pretty chilly at about 5c. I struck camp and made for the summit where shortly after two hill walkers arrived from the usual side (having started at the Ossian YHA). Together we waited for the clag to bugger off, eventually giving up, and starting the walk towards Ossian!

Lower down the clag cleared (and also lifted off the summit I had just left!). This made for pleasant views for the remainder of my descent. At Loch Ossian I was at the furthest point from my abandoned bike, I did consider the station cafe, but that was a 3KM detour and I had a long way to go today! I made do with some scran beside the loch.

I did, however find enough time to dig out the drone for a 360

Loch Ossian Drone 360

Leaving Loch Ossian, I took the ‘road from the isles’ up to Peter’s Rock, then made a beeline for the summit of my 6th Munro Carn Dearg.

From Carn Dearg, my final Munro Sgor Choinnich didn’t look far, but my legs were a bit goosed from the day before so it took me a wee while. The weather was improving all the time and was bluebird by the time I got to the summit.

Sgor Choinnich Drone 360

I sat here for a while chatting to a pair of hill walkers, and admiring the views to Loch Ericht and beyond to Schiehallion. My route from here was still up for debate, but I opted to keep the height and do the undulations on the ridgeline heading towards Beinn a’ Chumhain. By this time I had run out of water so I dropped off Beinn a’ Chumhainn to the north west to the Uisge Labhair for a refill.

After drinking half the river, I set off for the Bealach, meeting a couple of mountain bikers on the top, and enjoying views back to a now distant Loch Ossian.

All that remained now was to go find the bike. I looked at the map, and was a wee bit surprised how far I still had to go, and additionally how little time I had to do it!

I arrived back at the bike with 45 mins to go before my train. The ride back out was about 16KM, and was ridden as quickly as I could manage. As it was I ended up having 15 mins in hand to visit the cafe for a drink, and then the train was 15 mins late anyway. I would have gotten a beer if I had known!!

My train home went without incident, and I look forward to the next 50+ deal as it was a superb weekend and an excellent use of £17!!