Hill: Carn Mhic an Toisich
Date: Friday 5th December 2014
Company: Just myself
Distance: 16.3km, Ascent: 625m
Time: 4Hrs
A late start yesterday meant I couldn't get onto the hill until after noon. A short walk was therefore in order so I opted for Carn Mhic an Toisich. I have been putting off an ascent of this hill as the Beauly to Denny pylons now follow the track to this hill.
Click here to see a map of the route undertaken
I parked just off the A887 300m west of Dundreggen. Instead of following a fairly poor path directly opposite the parking area, I walked 300m along the road to Dundreggen and then followed the main track.
After walking a short distance along the track, I passed several old vehicles just left there to rust. I think the first one is a 1951-1957 Vauxhall Velox.
An old Vauxhall on track just beyond Dundreggan:
Beyond the rusty vehicles I came to a locked six-foot high gate. After climbing over the gate, I progressed through the small forest.
Walking through the forest beyond Dundreggan:
Walking through the forest beyond Dundreggan:
After walking circa one kilometre I arrived at the first of the old pylons. A short distance beyond I arrived at the first of the new ones. The new pylons are enormous compared with the old ones.
A monster Beauly to Denny pylon:
The following photo clearly shows the difference in height between old and new.
Spot the difference, old pylons alongside new:
Many of the old pylons have now been removed and work seems to be underway to restore the land underneath each of the new pylons. However, the track running alongside the pylons is now very wide and very unsightly. I do hope they will also be doing some restorative work to reduce the width of the new track.
Following the pylons towards Carn Mhic an Toisich:
During the walk the weather changed from being quite nice to being fairly awful and then back to being quite nice. The snow was dingin' doon for around forty-five minutes and it felt bitterly cold. Winter is definitely here.
Dingin' doon:
Looking back:
On approaching the track high point I left the track and made my way towards one of the large pylons. Beyond the pylon, I continued on to the top of Meall Ruigh Uisdein.
What I thought to initially be the summit was in fact only An Suidhe. The summit was still a fair distance beyond. I had estimated that it would take only 30 minutes from track to summit. It actually took an hour and the same in reverse. The terrain is fairly rough and wet in places.
Looking towards An Suidhe:
Sun rays:
At the top of An Suidhe:
From the top of An Suidhe I dropped down circa 20m and then followed the wide ridge out to the summit of Carn Mhic an Toisich.
Affric hills and Loch nan Eun:
It was nice to see many snow-clad hills from the summit. The Glen Affric hills and Glen Shiel hills had a good covering of snow.
At the summit of Carn Mhic an Toisich:
At the summit of Carn Mhic an Toisich:
From the summit I took exactly the same route back following my own footsteps in the snow.
Looking back along the ridge from the summit of Carn Mhic an Toisich:
Snowy hills:
Snowy hills:
On reaching the track high point I was passed by a truck which stopped and whose driver asked if I was ok and if I wanted a lift. I said thanks but refused the kind offer. I was enjoying the walk.
Back onto the track:
I got back to the car shortly before sunset. Apart from the forty-five minute snow shower the weather was much better than I had been expecting.