This week’s walks

LOCHABER AND LORN RAMBLERS

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

Saturday October 13: Cnap Cruinn and Monessie Gorge, Glen Spean

This small hill, on the Grahams list, gives a grand perspective on nearby Munros in the Grey Corries and the Easains.

Start at the end of the public road at Fersit, NN349781, where parking is available. Follow the dismantled tramway N then SW to a dam on the Allt Làire. Cross the dam and follow the river upstream on its W bank until past the plantation, then head NW to the summit of Cnap Cruinn, 742m. Continue NW with little change in height to Beinn Chlianaig, 724m. Continue NW for 350m to the edge of the summit plateau. Descend N, crossing the 261m Parallel Road and the tramway to reach Monessie. Follow the track, then footpath to cross the Monessie Gorge on the suspension bridge. Turn E alongside the railway for 250m to a bridge to reach the A86. Transport required. Limited off-road parking is available in this vicinity. More parking available at the Cille Choirill Church CP NN306812.

Grade: M; distance: 12km; height to climb: 560m; map(s): LR41, EX392. Meet at Fort William WM at 9am for start of walk at 9.45am. Leader: Rick Atkinson 07587 549731.

Thursday October 18: Tigh an Truish to Ellenabeich, Isle of Seil

Part of one of Cameron McNeish’s “Routes Less Travelled”. Good views of rugged coastlines, land- and seascapes. Sites of antiquity to be found. Much of the route is on or near the seashore.

Start at the CP opposite the Tigh an Truish (House of Trousers), NM784196. Follow the footpath NW to the shore at the head of the Puilladobhrain Anchorage. Follow the coastline SW along the foot of some rocky escarpments to Camuslaich. Continue S on the track. Traces of a Dun may be found atop the escarpment at NM771186. On reaching the minor road turn sharply NW and follow it until just past the foot of Loch Caithlim at the NTL. Leave the road and follow the shore of the narrow gut to reach the remains of Ardfad Castle at NM768195, once the seat of the Macdougalls of Ardencaple. Return to the track that follows the shoreline NW, passing two disused quarries. Abandon the track and head SSW over rough ground up to Druim Buidhe. Veer towards the coast as height is gained for views W across the Firth of Lorn, aiming for the foot of the prominent hill of Dun Mor on the headland above the village of Ellenabeich. The ascent of Dun Mor is by a steep, narrow, exposed ridge and is optional. Descend by path or track to Ellenabeich VH CP. Transport Required

Grade: L; distance: 10km; Height to climb: 250m; map(s): LR55, EX359. Meet at: Longsdale CP, Oban, at 9.45am, for start of walk at 10.30am. Leader: Andrew Gilbert 07808 924722.

NEVIS HILLWALKING CLUB

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

Sunday October 14:

Meall nan Tarmachan, Meall Garbh and Beinn nan Eachan

From the car park head S along a track for about 300m before heading SE up the hillside to a 774m top.

From here head S along the ridge to the summit of Creag an Lochain at 842m. Drop to a col before heading S up the ridge to the summit of Meall nan Tarmachan. Head SW to the 1026m munro top of Meall Garbh. Turn WNW and then SW along the ridge to the 1000m munro top of Beinn nan Eachan.

Return 300m along the ridge before heading NNW down the ridge of Beinn a’ Bhuic. The ridge then turns N over Meall Glas at 829m and then NE to Creag nam Bothan at 790m. Either head down E to descend to the track back to the start point or head N to the 694m top and descend the hillside E back to the start point. The first alternative may be better if there is much water in the river. (11km, 850m ascent).

Suggested and coordinated by Kate Willis.