Over The Hill

There have been a few occasions in the past when we have had to change the start point of a walk for one reason or another. However, the road and glen being taken over by a film crew preparing for a film shoot is a new one; apparently, a major film is being produced based on the Pokemon character Detective Pikachu and shooting along the road from Bridge of Orchy to Victoria Bridge will take place over the next week. And so, we were unable to park at Inveroran, but had to move our start point along the road to Victoria Bridge, not a problem, just a slightly odd reason to change our point of departure.

A short walk back along the road from Victoria Bridge to Inveroran and we were soon back on track and making our way up the well constructed track, part of The West Highland Way, to the summit of Mam Carraigh at the northern end of the long, broad ridge leading to the summit of Ben Inverveigh. Ahead of us lay a 3k plus walk on a gently rising gradient, albeit, that the going was on rough, undulating and sometimes rocky ground to the 639m summit of Ben Inverveigh. A minor top compared to the surrounding mountains, but a wonderful viewpoint upon which to gaze on summits as diverse as Ben Starav, Stob Ghabhar, Beinn Achaladair, Beinn Odhar and Ben Lui, a complete panorama of iconic mountain summits throughout 360 degrees.

After a short break just beyond the summit, we continued along the ridge, descending southwest to the 604m top before swinging generally west and descending towards Lochan Coir Orain, passing just to the south of the iced and frozen surface of the lochan before meeting the sting-in-the-tail of this walk, a steep 160m climb to the summit of Meall Tairbh. Interesting to note that nine of us stood together at the small stream marking our start point for the climb, and yet, by the time we were approaching the summit cairn, we did so from almost every angle possible, such was the choice of routes which we took either around, up, or under the series of small crags which line the approach from the lochan to the summit.

Once suitably regrouped on the 665m summit of Meall Tairbh, we set off generally north northeast down the broad ridge taking a direct bee-line for the bridge across the road just to the west of the Inveroran Hotel, easily identified in the clear visibility we were enjoying. The initial descent was easily accomplished, however, on reaching the lower ground to the east of the Allt Tolaghan the final kilometre or so was over rough undulating ground, wet and boggy in place. However, it was short lived, and we were soon back on terra firma alongside the road bridge, just a few steps short of our cars at Victoria Bridge.

A fine walk, on two summits which offer outstanding view - Great day, thanks Mhairi.