Attadale Forest

Attadale from the track by Cnoc nan Uan

North-east of Kyle of Lochalsh, Loch Carron stretches inland. On the southern shore of the loch, near its head, is the railway halt for Attadale, with the entrance to Attadale Estate and its gardens nearby.

Just through the entrance on the right is a car-parking area, capable of accommodating around 10 vehicles. If the car-park is full there are a couple of rough lay-bys on the road around 200m either side of the entrance.

In the car-park is a notice board with a map of the area outlining the recommended routes, particularly with regard to the deer-stalking season. More information on Attadale Estate's website.

Beinn Dronaig Lodge and Bidean a' Choire Sheasgaich

Ideally on a bike, cycle along the tarred road towards Attadale Gardens, then when coming to a junction in woodland, turn right. Continue on the road for around 1km out of woodland and to a gate by the house at Strathan. This gate will most likely be locked and slightly awkward to manouvre bikes around.

Now on a rough track, head for a further 1km to cross the River Attadale via a metal bridge and into woodland to begin to cycle uphill. As the track comes out of the woodland it meets with a wider track, turns south-east and climbs steeper.

A further 2km on, the track reaches Loch an Droighinn , changes direction north-east and begins to climb once more, the steepest part twisting and turning above Loch na Caillich.

Having reached a height of just under 350m, a fine downhill freewheel awaits to cross a dam over the Uisge Dubh (there is a bridge downstream if water level in the dam is high).

The track continues past Bendronaig Lodge and to a bridge over the Allt Coire na Sorna.

Once over the bridge, leave the track which heads northwards and instead take a rough track immediately off right (east).

Loch Calavie

Loch Calavie

Heading up Lurg Mhor, Bidean a' Choire Sheasgaich behind

From the shore of Loch Calavie, leave the track and begin to head uphill crossing a couple of burns and passing the remains of some shielings. Onto the eastern side of the Allt Coire Calavie, hike up a wet path as it continues following the burn upstream and gradually disappears into thick grass higher up.

A pleasant hike continues into the coire and up to Bealach Cul an Torrain , the col between Lurg Mhor and Bidean a' Choire Sheasgaich. On the northern side of this bealach is a section of old wall - ideal shelter out of winds and where I tend to drop off my rucksack before continuing on to Lurg Mhor !

On Lurg Mhor's summit

On Lurg Mhor's summit

Hikers heading out to Lurg Mhor's eastern top

Due east of Lurg Mhor's summit is a minor 'Munro Top', Meall Mor which is worth a visit via a short detour. There is a narrow ridge separating these summits which will involve a little scrambling to traverse.

From Lurg Mhor's cairn , head south-east over grass-covered terrain and follow the edge of the mountain's north-facing coire. The route ahead narrows to a crest and turns eastwards. Now on more rocky terrain, begin to descend towards a col. There is some easy scrambling and bounding over boulders and one tricky little step which needs to be tackled head on (easier in ascent on the return).

Beyond the col, progress is over much easier terrain as the ridge gradually widens to reach a small cairn sitting in the middle Meall Mor's vast grass-covered summit plateau.

Heading up Bidean a' Choire Sheasgaich, Lurg Mhor behind

On Lurg Mhor, about turn and retrace your steps back to Bealach Cul an Torrain . If you dropped off your rucksack at the col, pick it up as the route doesn't return here !

There is a path of sorts sticking to the crest travelling north-westwards ahead, however keeping to grass-covered ground below the crest ahead is easier underfoot. Taking either of these options, begin to climb uphill with the path becoming more distinct higher up.

As gradient increases, the hillside becomes quite loose with the grass-covered surface becoming badly eroded and slippy when wet. Higher up, Bidean a' Choire Sheasgaich's summit crest is met with the path turning north-east.

The final short distance to reach the top is along a fairly narrow ridge with a couple of small slabs to cross - these require a bit of care if wet !

Unlike Lurg Mhor's summit, Bidean a' Choire Sheasgaich's summit is compact with only one small cairn. On clear days superb and vast views can be savoured from this top.

The final narrow section leading to Bidean a' Choire Sheasgaich's summit

The final narrow section leading to Bidean a' Choire Sheasgaich's summit

On the track out, Bidean a' Choire Sheasgaich and Lurg Mhor in the distance

From Bidean a' Choire Sheasgaich's summit, retrace your steps along its crest and drop down its southern face to below the loose ground.

Leave the path and cross rather soggy grass-covered ground aiming directly for the head of the Allt Coire Calavie. Pick up the path on the east back of the burn to return to Loch Calavie and head back to Attadale.

Summit of Beinn Dronaig and the Mullardoch hills

The rugged Corbett, Beinn Dronaig stands above the southern shores of Loch Calavie and can either be bagged on its own, or added into the Lurg Mhor and Bidean a' Choire Sheasgaich route to create a circular hike around the loch.

On foot or by bike, head towards Loch Calavie as described above. When approaching the highest point in the track , just before reaching Loch Calavie, look for a small turning/parking place and if you're on bike, leave bikes here.

Ahead, lines of cliffs and buttresses stretch across the slopes of Beinn Dronaig. At the western end of the hill, these obstacles ease so aim towards this, initially crossing some grass-covered damp ground and passing the remains of an old fence-line. Higher up (around c550m), while aiming south-west and heading under some of the lines of cliffs, look for a narrow gully between the rocks heading south-eastwards uphill.

Aiming up this gully is steep and loose, at the top of which is a small cairn (perhaps to mark a descent route), thereafter easing quite quickly to leave a hike up a rough grass-covered hillside to gain Beinn Dronaig's summit . A conical trig point sits on some layers of rock, from where fine views are to be had, particularly over to the Mullardoch hills.

To continue on a circular route, follow the grass-covered crest of Beinn Dronaig's eastern spur as it gently descends passing a couple of little lochans on the way (not marked on OS maps). Further on, although marked clearly on maps, the indicated stalkers path is much fainter on the ground, coming and going as it twists down the hillside.

Lower down, aim for the outflow from Loch Calavie , crossing an old fence-line on the way. Some bounding between peat hags and bog, aided by some metal scaffolding boards, reaches the track on the north side of the loch, from where it can be followed back to your bike.

Beinn Dronaig from the southern end of Loch Calavie

Beinn Dronaig from the southern end of Loch Calavie