The best shots from trips to Gulvain, Cona Glen, Callop and Glenfinnan

At the end of November and start of December the western Highlands enjoyed a period of mostly cold, clear, bright weather as high pressure was in charge. Luckily I was in Lochaber and managed a few days out wrapped around the working week.

Gaor Bheinn (Gulvain) and Braigh nan Uamhachan

The first Saturday of the period gave me the opportunity to visit the Munro Gaor Bheinn, better known by the anglicised Gulvain, and its neighbouring Corbett Braigh nan Uamhachan.

Gaor Bheinn (Gulvain) from the eastern shoulder of Braigh nan Uamhachan - Gualann nan Osna - 2, Morar to Morvern — Gaor Bheinn (Gulvain) from the eastern shoulder of Braigh nan Uamhachan – Gualann nan Osna

Braigh nan Uamhachan, a Corbett, from the western slopes of Gaor Bheinn (Gulvain), Morar to Morvern — Gaor Bheinn (Gulvain) from the eastern shoulder of Braigh nan Uamhachan – Gualann nan Osna

For me this was a second visit to Gaor Bheinn, and a first to Braigh nan Uamhachan as I make a concerted effort to explore the Corbetts. The hills are located towards the east of the group that I’m calling Morar to South Loch Arkaig. They’re north east of Glenfinnan, between the western ends of Loch Eil to the south and Loch Arkaig to the north. They are most easily reached via Gleann Fionnlighe, up which there is a track and then path (becoming rougher and wetter up the glen), to the foot of Gaor Bheinn and then a rough unmarked hill path up the south ridge. Views on the summit ridge of Gaor Bheinn were initially obscured by rising valley mist but I waited a while on the main summit (the north top) and was fortunate to witness the mist clearing away in the bright, low sun to reveal stunning views in all directions. Ben Nevis and its neighbours to the east, the Ardgour hills to the south – Sgurr Dhomhnuill (Ardgour’s highest point at 888m), Garbh Bheinn and Sgurr Ghiubhsachain prominent, Streap and Sgurr Thuilm to the west and the Glen Dessarry and Knoydart hills with the Skye Cuillin peaking up unmistakeably behind to the north west.

The afternoon was spent making my way over to Braigh nan Uamhachan and then south along its long ridge, enjoying the changing light as the sun began to descend in the south west behind the Ardgour hills.

Gaor Bheinn (Gulvain) from the south west up Gleann Fionnlighe, Morar to Morvern

The south top of Gaor Bheinn (Gulvain) from the summit, Morar to Morvern

Ben Nevis (right) with Carn Mor Dearg, Aonach Beag and Aonach Mor from Gaor Bheinn (Gulvain), Morar to Morvern

Knoydart Munro Meall Buidhe with Skye's Black Cuillin conspicuous behind, Sgurr na Ciche is partially obscured by cloud, Morar to Morvern

The ridge south from the summit of Gaor Bheinn (Gulvain) - 2, Morar to Morvern

North west from Braigh nan Uamhachan to Sgurr na Ciche, Garbh Chioch Mhor and Sgurr nan Coireachan, Morar to Morvern

The summit of Braigh nan Uamhachan from the north on a late November afternoon, Morar to Morvern

The twin tops of Gaor Bheinn (Gulvain) from the summit of Braigh nan Uamhachan, Morar to Morvern

Streap and Sgurr Thuilm in low November afternoon sunlight and frost from the summit of Braigh nan Uamhachan, Morar to Morvern

A selfie, sort of, with the twin tops of Gaor Bheinn (Gulvain) from the south ridge of Braigh nan Uamhachan, Morar to Morvern

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Cona Glen and the south Cona Glen ridge

After four days of work at the computer, the following Friday looked promising and I nipped over the working again Corran Ferry to explore Cona Glen on the west side of Loch Linnhe north of Corran. The long glen leads west from Inverscaddle on Loch Linnhe and is probably best known as forming a large part of the first day of the Cape Wrath Trail when the route is tackled south to north.

The track west up Cona Glen below Stob Mhic Bheathain (721m, a Graham), Morar to Morvern — The track west up Cona Glen below Stob Mhic Bheathain (721m, a Graham)

A pair of white tailed eagles making an abrupt turn in Cona Glen, Morar to Morvern — The track west up Cona Glen below Stob Mhic Bheathain (721m, a Graham)

The aim was to cycle up the glen and then traverse the long ridge of hills on its upper southern side – culminating in the Corbett Stob a’ Bhealach an Sgriodain (aka Druim Tarsuinn), with a possible extension to take in the lovely Sgurr Ghiubhsachain at the head of the glen if energy and the short daylight hours allowed. In the event they did, just, sort of. The traverse of the ridge was a pleasure, if an up and down one over the several tops. I reached the summit of Sgurr Ghiubhsachain in gathering dusk and pink hazy light over Ben Nevis but didn’t linger. The descent to the path at the bealach south of Sgorr Craobh a’ Chaorainn was relatively easy, only the last part requiring the headtorch. A very dark walk then cycle back down the glen ensued with just my patch of light on the track ahead for the 13 kilometres or so.

Stob a' Bhealach an Sgriodain (Druim Tarsuinn), a Corbett, from Meall Mor to the east, Morar to Morvern

Sgurr Dhomhnuill (Ardgour's highest point at 888m) and Carn na Nathrach from Stob Mhic Bheathain, Fort William and Glencoe

North from Meall Mor across upper Cona Glen to distant Streap (left) and Gaor Bheinn (central), Morar to Morvern

Sgurr Ghiubhsachain from Stob a' Bhealach an Sgriodain (Druim Tarsuinn), Morar to Morvern

Glen Hurich, Beinn Resipol distant and Sgorr an Tarmachain from Stob a' Bhealach an Sgriodain (Druim Tarsuinn), Morar to Morvern

Sgurr Ghiubhsachain from the south in the area of the true Druim Tarsuinn, Morar to Morvern

Afternoon sunlight on the rough metamorphic rocks of Druim Tarsuinn, Morar to Morvern

Stob a' Bhealach an Sgriodain (Druim Tarsuinn) and Meall Mor from the north west, Morar to Morvern

South west from the frosted summit rocks of Sgurr Ghiubhsachain at dusk, Morar to Morvern

Afternoon dusk on the summit of Sgurr Ghiubhsachain, Morar to Morvern

Walking at Callop on the Cape Wrath Trail

Later in the weekend we walked at a mist enveloped Callop near Glenfinnan, just over the ridge from Cona Glen, on the route taken by the Cape Wrath Trail as it descends north to Callop. After a week of hard frosts the ground was frozen solid and much of the path covered by water ice. We enjoyed a careful wander through the frost encrusted heather and pines and on up in to the sun above the mist on the path towards Cona Glen. We were grateful for the warmth of even the low December sun once we reached it.

Different worlds - above and below the mist on the Cape Wrath Trail south of Callop, Morar to Morvern

Over the grass and the mist to Sgurr nan Coireachan, Beinn an Tuim and Streap from the south, Morar to Morvern

A frost coated Scots Pine near the Cape Wrath Trail south of Callop, Morar to Morvern

Frost coated trees at the foot of Sron Meall nan Damh above Callop - 2, Morar to Morvern

Deeper into the mist - frost coated trees at the foot of Sron Meall nan Damh, Morar to Morvern

After descending back in to the gloomy afternoon mist we headed the couple of kilometres west to Glenfinnan. As we rounded the wooded bends at the north east end of Loch Shiel we were amazed by the intense orange glow of the low sun shining through the mist from the south west.

Glenfinnan – afternoon light

In 1745 Highlanders gathered at Glenfinnan in support of “Bonnie Prince Charlie” and the Jacobite uprising that aimed to restore the Stuarts to the thrones of Scotland and England. The Jacobite forces were eventually beaten at Culloden, close to Inverness, and the prince fled in an apparently epic escape via Skye to live out his days in the milder, drier climes of France and Italy. The Glenfinnan Monument was built in 1815 to commemorate the support and sacrifice of the Highland clans. These days Glenfinnan is also famous for its rail viaduct that featured memorably in the Harry Potter films.