Nevis Hill Walking Club, Sunday July 18, Loch Quoich

Gairich, 919m, Munro. This is a relatively easy hill in a wild and isolated setting.

The splendid E-facing headwall above Coire Thollaidh is visible from afar and remains a fine sight throughout the approach.

Start at the dam at the east end of Loch Quoich, NH068024. Limited parking is available.

Cross the dam and follow the boggy path south for about 3kms, to the edge of a conifer plantation.

Turn west and follow the path, indistinct or eroded in places, up the shoulder of Druim na Geid Salaich, passing south of the summit of Bac nam Fiod, 584m.

The path improves above the boggy ground as it rises more steeply and zig-zags up.

Ignore an old stalkers’ path that leads to the south face. Keep to the crest of the east ridge where the hillwalkers’ path is distinct and ascend steeply to the summit of Gairich, 919m.

There are a few rocky steps to negotiate.

The easiest descent reverses the outward route. 16km, 854m ascent Descending the north ridge and heading east back to the dam is a tempting prospect that is best reserved for a very dry season or when the boggy ground at lower levels is well frozen.

16km, 830m ascent Another return route adds 6km to the day: from the summit, head southwest over easy ground as far as Gairich Beag at 730m. Locate the head of a stalkers’ path at NN010988 and follow it down west, zig-zagging on steep ground.

It joins another path at the watershed in the glen. Turn south east and head down through Glen Kingie into the forest. Continue east, curving north to emerge from the forest at NN066996 and re-join the outward route back to the dam.

22km, 880m ascent