Strathconon Corbetts

Church Wood in Strathconon

West of Inverness, the A832 heads through Muir of Ord to Marybank, beyond which is Strathconon. This rather lovely glen has little lochs and hydro schemes, aside which travels an unclassified and narrow road.

Just beyond the settlements of Bridgend and Milton are the road of houses of Strathanmore. There is parking marked for hillwalkers here, or 1km further south is a small parking area by a sign for Church Wood.

Strathconon and Ben Wyvis on way up Creag Ruadh

Starting from the roadside by Church Wood, follow a vague path directly uphill around some woodland. The path quickly disappears ! Keeping to the crest ahead, clamber uphill over grass and heather, sometimes quite steeply, while avoiding rocky outcrops.

There's around 450m of ascent before the gradient easies and a faint path forms heading westwards up Creag Ruadh . Once on this minor summit, Meallan nan Uan can be seen ahead with the path, now more obvious, making a route directly along the hill crest.

Meallan nan Uan from Creag Ruadh

Meallan nan Uan from Creag Ruadh

Sgurr a' Ghlas Leathaid and Sgurr a' Choire-rainich

From Meallan nan Uan continue westwards along the crest of the hill for 200m or so, before turning north-west and beginning to lose height. Drop to the ground above Coir' a' Mhuilinn where the little bump of Carnan Fuar forces a route to be made either directly over it, or contouring around it - on both occassions I've been here I did the latter, but if in poor visibility, possibly better to cross directly over it.

Beyond Carnan Fuar, a direct route could be made up Sgurr a' Mhuilinn - fine for a quick day out, however, you'd missing out on the uninterupted views from the westerly peaks in this group - Sgurr a' Ghlas Leathaid and Sgurr a' Choire-rainich !

Aim north-west, contouring around Sgurr a' Mhuilinn. There is no path to follow, but the terrain underfoot is the main delightfully soft and grass covered. The foot of Sgurr a' Ghlas Leathaid is reached, up which a direct ascent to its summit is fairly straightforward.

Sgurr a' Mhuilinn from Sgurr a' Ghlas Leathaid

Sgurr a' Mhuilinn from Sgurr a' Ghlas Leathaid

Looking back to Sgurr a' Ghlas Leathaid and Sgurr a' Choire-rainich from Sgurr a' Mhuilinn

To avoid some crags on Sgurr a' Choire-rainich's south-east face, from its summit, about turn and re-trace your steps for a short distance. Turn due south and drop to safer ground below Bealach Gaoithe, then turn south-east to drop further to Bealach na Siunnachair .

View east from Sgurr a' Mhuilinn

View east from Sgurr a' Mhuilinn

Meallan nan Uan from Sgurr a' Mhuilinn's summit

The direct route down from Sgurr a'Mhuilinn heads south-east and is fairly obvious following a faint path to the Allt an t-Srathain Mhoir.

A more enjoyable descent can be made by heading south-west from Sgurr a' Mhuilinn's summit towards Carnan Fuar and then dropping to the shores of Loch Coire a' Mhuilinn - this is a special place, hidden from roadside view and from where the views back up to the Corbett peaks are stunning ! As with the direct route down, this route meets with the Allt an t-Srathain Mhoir, aside which is a faint path.

By the shore of Loch Coire a' Mhuilinn

By the shore of Loch Coire a' Mhuilinn