Over The Hill

7th July 2013, a day to be remembered; temperatures in the high 20's, clear blue skies and I was high on the Tarmachan Ridge. Oh, and Andy Murray won Wimbledon - Congratulations and well done Andy.

I was "Johnny no walking mates" this weekend but with the great weather that was forecast, it gave me the chance to do a "recce" for a programmed walk later in August that will see us do the Tarmachan Ridge, but with a slightly different approach and ending than the standard route which begins at the Lawers NTS car park. And so I drove on past the Lawers car park, already fairly full at this early hour, and continued along the Bridge of Balgie road, passed the end of Lochan na Lairige, and pulled into the small parking area just beyond the "Green Hut" from where I would start this walk.

A short distance along the old quarry track I turned south east and made a bee-line for the 774m minor top, the first of a number of minor tops strung along the north ridge, over which I would pass en route to the primary summit top of Meall nan Tarmachan, 1044m. The initial ascent towards the ridge line was over grassy slopes on a fairly moderate gradient at the end of which suddenly loomed a large fence plus an electric fence - I guess to keep the sheep and deer (and un-wary walkers) from straying over the other side of the ridge and into the rather steep crags above Lochan na Lairige.

The ridge continues with a few undulations as it runs south towards the 842m top, where it drops down towards Lochan an Tairbh-uisge, nestling in a small hollow, and at which point I swung south south west to cross a flat area before climbing again, this time winding my way around and over a few of the larger rocky outcrops that line this part of the ridge as I made the final climb to meet up with the Lawers path for the last few metres to the summit cairn on Meal nan Tarmachan, 1044m.

From the summit, the views were quite amazing, with air clarity so good that it was 360 degrees, all around as far as the eye could see, no cloud, no haze, just beautiful blue skies - and the ridge ahead was beckoning. I could see a couple of walkers already heading up towards Meall Garbh, and there were a whole horde of them trudging up the Lawers path below me, so, after a very quick break, I set off not wanting to get caught up in a string on the narrower sections of the path ahead.

So, off I set, heading south from the summit of Meall nan Tarmachan and down the well defined path, and passed the two small, and rather beautiful, lochans before making the short ascent onto the narrow, and not too spacious summit top of Meall Garbh, at a mere 1026m and only warranting a "Munro Top" status. I didn't linger on the summit, as a quick look behind me showed a group of about 8 coming up fast - best I get on and across the narrowest section of the ridge before they arrived.

This was my first time along the ridge, and I was surprised as to how short this narrow section is, and how level and obstacle free it is, making it a relatively easy section to negotiate. That said, I had good, dry conditions, it would be a different challenge in windy or winter conditions. The narrow section negotiated, all that lay ahead now was the steep rock section which you suddenly come upon as the path literally disappears in front of you, and you wonder where the heck did it go? Well the answer is, straight down.

I hesitated, thought of using the alternative path which I could see curving around the grassy slopes to the north, then decided to easy myself down the first stage, which I managed, just, and not without thinking, "Should have taken the alternative path". There was then a number of flat, rock slabs sloping steeply down, thankfully, given the weather, they were all nice and dry and I managed to get down them without further mishap - my sighs of relief must have been heard by the couple who suddenly appeared above me at the edge of the scramble. We exchanged views on the difficulty and whether they would scramble or take the alternative path. And what do you know, they swung north and onto the alternative path as I hung around at the bottom till they joined me, thinking, maybe I should have done the same!

Scrambling over, the path descends steeply, and then in a series of twists and turns as it winds it way around the edges of a number of hillocks that are a feature of the bealach between Meall Garbh, and the next top, Beinn nan Eachan, before it finally ascends to the broad summit of Beinn nan Eachan, 1000m. This was to be my final "top", as my return route, via the northern ridge, would necessitate a short re-tracing of my steps, back down towards the bealach, before I turned north to join the long grassy ridge which would lead me to the minor top of Meall Glas, 829m, from where I could descend east towards the old quarry workings at the base of Coire Glas. After the excitement of the main ridge, this spur was a nice relaxing and easy walk over grassy, gently descending slopes.

There is an interesting "bridge" over the Allt Baile a Mhuilinn which leads directly into a tunnel, barred by a large iron gate, which I can only assume may well be the entrance to some long disused mine shaft, as is evidenced by the remains of some iron ore slag heaps alongside of the quarry track, which I now joined for the steady walk back to my start point.

This was a very enjoyable day, in brilliant conditions - a great walk, which I shall be repeating soon, albeit next time with a few companions to keep me company.