THIS WEEK’S WALKS

Friday June 16

Easy leisurely walk – Torlundy Circuit.

This is a circular route from Carrs Corner down towards the river Lochy, following a track to Tomnacharich Road continuing on to Torlundy. There is then a short walk along A82, before you turn off towards Happy Valley and walk along the track behind Inverlochy Castle back to Carrs Corner and the start.

Meet at Ben Nevis Highland Centre (Woollen mill) at 1pm.

The walk is approximately 5 miles. Contact walk leader Colin Campbell on 07796 043836 or email: colin@laragain.co.uk

NEVIS HILLWALKING CLUB

Please see full walk details at www.nevishillwalking.club. If you would like to go out on the walk please contact club secretary Suzanne Theobald on 01397 701783 or email enquiries@nevishillwalking.club.

Saturday June 17

Loch Mullardoch hills – An Socach (the Projecting Place, or Snout), 1,069m, An Riabhachan (the Brindled Greyish One), 1,129m, Sand gurr na Lapaich (Peak of the Bog), 1,150m, and Carn na Gobhar (Hill of the Goats), 992m.

Hopefully, a boat will have been hired (see website for details) to take you from the dam on Loch Mullardoch to Benula Lodge.

From here, go west on a stalkers’ path towards Coire Mhaim and climb the SE ridge of An Socach. You are now on the main range of hills between Glen Strathfarrar and Glen Cannich.

Head east over the west and SW tops of An Riabhachan, over the summit to the east top, where there is a steep rocky face above Loch Beag and Loch Mor.

Continue over the col to Sgurr na Lapaich and then Carn na Gobhar, the final Munro.

Descend the south ridge over Mullach na Maoile to the loch side and back to the dam.

The hillwalk is 20.1km in total, with a climb of 1,810m. Without a boat means an extra walk of 8.4km with 220m ascent along the north shore of the loch on a good path. Suggested by Gavin Theobald, co- ordinated by Ken Stevenson.

Wednesday June 21

Pap of Glencoe – Sgorr na Ciche, 742m. This is an evening walk. Please see website for further details.

Park at the forest entrance on the old Glencoe Road, and follow it a short distance SE to a gate on the left where a track leads up the hill.

Crossing a small bridge on the right, join a fair path that meanders up the hill. This gives access to the prominent col SE of the Pap of Glencoe.

Climb the Pap by a rocky path that traverses its SE flank from the lower left to upper right. It then curves sharply upwards to the left to reach the summit.

The easiest descent is to reverse the upward route.

The walk is over 7km, with a climb of 710m. Suggested and co-ordinated by Suzanne Theobald.

LOCHABER AND LORN RAMBLERS

The walk leader is to be contacted beforehand for meet up and start times. Car sharing usually possible and you can try before you buy. You can walk three times with the club before joining. Further information at www.lochaberandlorn-ramblers.org.uk. Lochaber and Lorn Ramblers Group, can be contacted by email on info@ lochaberandlorn-ramblers.org.uk.

Today (Thursday June 15)

Beinn Achaladair and a’Chreachain, Bridge of Orchy – two fine hills overlooking Rannoch Moor offer a splendid high-level traverse into remote country.

Start from the car park on the approach road to Achallader Farm, NN313438.

A footpath going W has developed from here leading to the track heading S from the farm. Follow this over the railway and continue up through Coire Achaladair and Coire Daingean to the col at NN340405.

Climb N up the ridge, over a small summit at 1,002m (Munro top), to reach the summit of Beinn Achaladair, 1,038m.

The summit ridge extends NE to a spot height, 1,036m, above a large corrie to the N. Follow its rim down E to a col at 813m.

Climb gradually NE up over Meall Buidhe, 978m (Munro top) and continue along the ridge to the rim of Coire an Lochain.

Follow its rim and climb E, curving S to gain the summit of Beinn a’ Chreachain, 1,081m.

Return N to the rim of Coire an Lochain and descend the ridge NE, over a small summit at 961m, turning N to another at 894m.

Descend NW to reach the Allt Coire an Lochain where it flows down the edge of Crannach Wood. Follow the burn downhill until just before the railway*, where an indistinct path may be found heading SW through Cran- nach Wood. Follow this to cross over the railway on the bridge at NN349454. The path continues to the Water of Tulla, which can be followed downstream to join the track to Achallader Farm at the Barravourich bridge.

*(An alternative route passes under the railway at NN358466 and makes for the track on the far side of the Water of Tulla. However, the bridge over the Water of Tulla at NN353468 was not usable – May 2015).

This is a strenuous walk of 17Km, climbing to 1,180m. Meet at Longsdale car park, Oban, NM862307 at 8.50am, Glencoe Village CP NN098587 at 9.25am. The walk starts at 10am.

The leader is Graham Innes, on 01631 562290 or 07767 714503.

Sunday June 18

Meall Bhanbhaidh – Fort William An easy walk for this grade, with many points of interest and good views from the summit of a small hill.

Start at Neptune’s Staircase car park, NN112769. Head NE along the Caledonian Canal towpath on its N side.

Just before the aqueduct over the Allt Sheangain at about NN130791, turn N off the towpath and make for the B8004.

Cross the road and head NW up Glen Laragain following the wooded S bank of the Allt Sheangain. Once past the corner of a fenced area at NN121796, follow a small burn W up the hill until the slope eases, then curve SE up to the summit of Meall Bhanbhaidh.

Descend SW to a ring contour, Tom Allt FineEX, 150m, then continue SW down to the back streets of Corpach.

Walk through the village to the sea lock at the canal entrance and follow the towpath back to the start.

This is a medium walk of 11Km, climbing 380m. Meet at Fort William Woollen Mill NN112742 at 10.40am, with the walk starting at 11am.

Leader is Colin Campbell on 07796 043836.