Tracks and paths over Rannoch
NN294474 From Meall Beag summit descend rather steeply west then, as the slope eases, bend left (south-west). The going gets rough as the moorland levels. Pass along the north edge of a plantation, then on soggy ground between the plantation and the south end of Lochan Mhic Pheadair Ruaidh (the lochan of the son of redheaded Peter). Rejoin the West Highland Way just beyond the loch.
NN281471 Turn north along the wide gravel path. After 1.3km it crosses Ba Bridge, with birch trees marking the stream course. In another 1km a side path leads to the ruin of Ba Cottage, and the main path ahead climbs gently, giving fine views back along its course. At the high point of the path, a shapely cairn can be seen 50m up on the left: a good viewpoint over the moor. It’s the memorial to Peter Fleming, adventurous brother of Ian, the James Bond author.
NN281512 Continue along the West Highland Way as it bends round left with Buachaille Etive Mor rising as a black pyramid ahead. At a junction with a big blue signboard, the smaller path diverts to the Glencoe Mountain Resort, a cluster of shacks with a café, chairlift, and mountain biking. However the main path bends right, soon joining the resort’s access track. Follow that out to cross the busy A82. The roughly tarred West Highland Way continues ahead across moorland, dropping gently to Kings House.
NN259546 Pass the café and bunkhouse to the main hotel, where you turn right over the old bridge beside it. After 300m, as the small road bends left, take a gate on the right onto a wide, smooth track. The signpost is for Rannoch. After 4km,
the plantations around Black Corries Lodge come into view.
NN296561 Turn up left on a grassy track, again signed for Rannoch. It passes around above the lodge, then drops to rejoin the track beyond. After 180m the main track forks to the right (the left fork offers a rougher route choice, becoming a boggy path onto the end of A’ Chruach for a high, level crossing to Rannoch station). Keep on along the right-hand main track for 4km, where it ends.
NN335548 Follow a quad bike path for a few steps. Where it bends down right, towards one of the heads of Loch Laidon, look out for a small grassy path contouring to the left (east). It eases slightly uphill, going towards a low-voltage power line. The path is grassy, with a few boggy bits. In places it fades away, but the power poles are always a guide. After about 2km the path meets a stile across a fence with no wire; then another stile crosses a fence that doesn’t exist at all. The next stream, Allt Riabhach na Bioraich, runs in a little grassy hollow, with a dry and sheltered campsite – as long as someone hasn’t pinched the pitch.