As Ian, David and I completed this walk on a beautiful day in early July 2013, Ian commented then that it would be a good walk for the programme providing the weather was as good as it had been on that day. Ever the optimist, Ian went ahead and submitted it for this summers walks programme. And I for one am very pleased that he did, as we had another glorious day on a group of hills that offer a great days walking.

Much has been written about access problems to these four Munros due to a rather hostile policy towards walkers by the estate owners. In fairness, I have to say, that apart from a minor detour around some old buildings at the start of this route, and the marking of the preferred route through the short stretch of forest at the beginning of the walk, we have, on both occasions, had no problems in completing the circuit, and, on both occasions, there were quite a number of other walkers taking to the hillside, so the popularity of this circuit would seem to be as high as ever.

Once through the forest, we took to the narrow path that makes its way steadily up the broad, grassy south east ridge of Carn Gorm to its broad summit plateau, thereupon we had a moments concern that the weather was about to change, as an icy wind suddenly blew around the exposed top as we quickly donned an extra layer of clothing. Thankfully, it was just a fleeting change, as by the time we had taken a short break, the wind had dropped and we were once again enjoying some lovely sunshine and the extensive view these hill offer.

The prospect of 20k and 4 Munros sounds quite a challenge, however, the beauty of this circuit is that once this initial summit is gained, the remainder of the walk involves relatively easy descents and re-ascents over mainly good, firm ground, and before long you are eating up the distance, and ticking of the remaining tops. The first of which is Meall Garbh, en-route to which we detoured slightly to take in the views from An Sgorr, at 924m, a mere Munro Top amongst these greater hills.

From Meall Garbh there then follows a lengthy walk over the broad plateau of Meall a Bharr (1004m) where the mighty whaleback of Schiehallion dominates the view ahead as you cross this expanse of flat, open ground towards the rockier ascent and summit of the third Munro of the day, and the one to which this circuit owes its name, Carn Mairg, at 1041m, the highest peak in the round.

The descent from Carn Mairg is probably the most demanding section of this route, as the south and east slopes are littered with boulders and rocks making for a difficult descent. On our previous visit. last July, once down we had noticed one section with less rock and a grassy rake which lay slightly north east of the summit, and so, this time we headed north east for a short distance before crossing a narrow strip of boulders and sure enough we were on clear grassy slopes leading easily down towards the watershed at Gleann Pollaidh, and the final ascent of the day, towards the 981m summit of Meall na Aighean.

Four Munros completed, which for most would probably have been a satisfying conclusion to the day. But, off course, we had Alan with us, and so, as is his custom, no hill will be bypassed un-climbed. And so, a short detour as we began our descent took us over the un-named 974m top which lies just to the south west of Meall na Aighean before we made our final descent down the long heather clad south west ridge of Meal na Aighean.

Another wonderful day on a great circuit in the best of company.