Footprints Across Scotland
Why not make a few of your own!
29th & 30st March 2014
Beinn Iaruinn and two of the three Carn Dearg's from Glen Roy
Route Map
It was time to revisit Glen Roy and its fascinating parallel roads, the high water marks left behind when the loch filling the glen had eventually drained after the last ice age. There’s a trio of Carn Dearg's here, the one south of the glen I had climbed on a fine but chilly day September 2010 Creag Meagaidh & Carn Dearg (Glen Roy) while the remaining two I had in mind for Sunday.
Glen Roy
Today’s outing would be up Beinn Iaruinn sitting opposite Brunachan bothy. The slopes to be tackled when climbing the hill from this side are very steep and my chosen route up the nose of the ridge on the south side of corrie nan Eun looked shall we say 'a little challenging'. Walking back up the road I crossed the bridge that fords the burn running out of the corrie before leaving the road to tramp over the grass and heather.
Beinn Iaruinn, the steep way up
Last seasons burning had shortened the vegetation which meant easy going to the base of the rocky prow. Fortunately there were no difficulties during the ascent and it was only occasionally necessary to put hand on rock.
Carn Dearg from Beinn Iaruinn
It was a steep pull but eventually the gradient eased as grand views across the interior of corrie nan Eun were revealed. The summit cairn sitting atop a small rocky outcrop on the opposite side of the corrie at this point seemed quite a way off.
Coire nan Eun & Beinn Iaruinn
The very hazy atmosphere probably added to the perception of distance and it was in fact just a short pleasant stroll around the corrie rim to the top.
Beinn Iaruinn
I decided to make the descent from Beinn Iaruinn as gentle as possible and so headed along the north east ridge. Turning north for a while I was presented with a fine panorama of the hills above Loch Lochy. A number of Plover sounded the way with their airy cries as I followed a line between Core Dubh and Allt Dearg surveying my hills for the next day as I went.
The Northern Carn Dearg's across Glen Turret from Beinn Iaruinn
After making a wide turn lower down the slope I made for the small plantation near Brae Roy Lodge and from here the road up the glen. A small parking place here was to be my chosen spot for an overnight stay but first I needed to head up the Glen to collect my van. Parked, washed and fed I then settled in for a pleasant evening in the quietness of the lower glen. An early start the next day had me heading past the lodge and over Turret Bridge. If anything the day seemed even hazier than Saturday and although the weather was not particularly threatening the driech outlook gave rise to an expectation of a coming rain shower. I followed the track up Glen Turret then followed vehicle imprints onto the shoulder of Sron a' Ghoill before crossing a widening heathery ridge to the most southern of the two Carn Dearg's.
Glen Turret (right) meets Glen Roy
A stiff breeze had me sheltering behind a rocky mound during lunch.
Carn Dearg (North) from Carn Dearg (South) across Glen Eachach
After a steady descent over rough ground I arrived at the Bealach at the head of Gleann Eachan before beginning the climb north to the second Carn Dearg of the day. Another short break was taken on the top before some pleasant walking over cropped grass toward Teanga Mhor. The good going didn't last and soon I was trying to navigate over boggy ground weaving around snow topped muddy pools. A very steep descent was aided by better underfoot conditions during the drop back into Glen Turret.
Glen Turret from Teanga Mhor
Knees, thighs and ‘brakes’ tested I was glad to return to a more level footing. A fine open fire place and chimney stack was all that remained of an old cottage in a fine situation nestled at the foot of the hills near the River Turret.
Open Fireplace
After returning to the estate track it proved a pleasant amble back along the glen to the van.
Upper Glen Turret
The quietness of the afternoon was only interrupted by the dogs kennelled at Brae lodge as they signalled my passing by.
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