Photograph Gallery Stage 13 Strathcarron to Loch na Leitreach
Photograph Gallery Stage 13 Strathcarron to Loch na Leitreach, Friday 3rd June 2011
The Story:
Today was simply majestic. The weather was perfect with warm sunshine accompanying me most of the day and for the first time I followed defined tracks all day. The whole walk was a pleasure. I was in the midst of marvellous scenery and I enjoyed it all.
I set off from Strathcarron at 9.00am and followed the road south west, all the while enjoying views of Loch Carron and the picturesque mountains north west of the loch. Soon I followed the road south and away from the loch by climbing a steep bank at Cam Allt. The shock of the climb after the lochside start woke my leg muscles from their slumber. For the first time on my walk it was warm enough for me to get down to a T Shirt, the fleece was discarded for the rest of the day. I was soon in a sweat and wiping my brow with my walkers cloth. The steep ascent of just 60 metres then became a steep descent of the same length; brakes on. After the brief up and down I reached Attadale which was my prompt to leave the road. I then followed a flat low track for a mile, a mile in which I had my first encounter with the local insect life. The flying bugs are big in these parts, one particular large flying insect took a liking to my left elbow and I had to fend it off a few times. Fortunately after the mile of level walking I was on ascent and the higher I got the bugs found me less entertaining. As I gained height towards Loch an Iasaich the views increased in pleasure with low hills of all shapes taking my attention one by one. I noticed a distinct change in the terrain too. The hills and higher mountains were looking more like those of Lakeland and less like the white and grey of the far north I had previously been. Forest was noticeably higher too. Much more green was to be seen now. Apparently I was now in a different geological area and it showed. After the loch I started descending into Glen Ling. As soon as I saw it I was stricken by its beauty.
The glen was verdant green and it drew me in to its charm. I descended to the river and then followed it for a mile in absolute rapture. I was awestruck with the way it cut an exciting path south towards Killilan. There were rapids, there were waterfalls, there were brief interludes of quiet water allowing fishermen to ply their trade and all the while it led me to another glen full of yet more green. The sunshine maximised the appeal of the landscape for sure but for me this was a heavenly place. Big mountains stood directly to the south making the scene as beautiful and dramatic as it could be. It was that good for me.
At Killilan I left Glen Ling begrudgingly but I need not have feared the best of the days beauty was done, the walk continued to amaze me. After a brief rest in the village I followed a track toward Glen Eichaig, home of the big mountains I had seen. The highest Carnan Cruithneach is a wonderful cone shaped mountain which is simply fantastic to look at as you approach it along Glen Eichaig from the west. As I got closer to it another smaller mountain of similar shape complimented it on its north side. On OS Landranger maps it is unnamed but it shouldn’t be. I had the pleasure of walking between them and as I neared them their interesting character only got better, with both having fabulous and somewhat sheer rock outcrops. Again I was in awe, again another WOW moment.
I was nearing the end of my fantastic day walking and it ended with me setting up camp near Loch na Leitreach and just a mile from one of the most fabulous waterfalls in Great Britain. Tomorrow I will start my day by ascending to the Falls of Glomach. I am told they are spectacular. I continue to find wonder on this 1000 mile walk but today will take some beating. As I mentioned at the beginning of this blog today was simply majestic.
The Photographs:
Early morning mist clearing to proclaim a beautiful sunny morning
Loch Carron and surrounding mountains
Not snow on the mountain tops but Lewisian Gneiss
Information board on the geology of the area
Lochcarron
Lush green in Attadale
Highland Cattle near Attadale Gardens
Long straight bridleway from Attadale to the next range of mountains
Starting to climb from the River Attadale
Walking on good track past Cnoc nan Uan
A good track took me across Carn Allt na Bradh
Tracking due south toward Glen Ling
Descending from Carn Allt na Bradh to Glen Ling
Glen Ling kept me enthralled all the way along its length
Water rips its way down the River Ling
Ben Killilan
The view from Nonach Lodge with my destination of Glen Elchaig in the distance
Leaving Killilan, next civilisation in Kintail tomorrow
Looking solemn but actually full of happiness at the awe of my surroundings
The River Elchaig near Camas Luinie
Beautiful afternoon skies make Carnan Cruithneachd stand out proudly
Following the superb track further into Glen Elchaig
The Falls of Glomach lie around the corner, I am full of anticipation for tomorrow
Campsite in stunning surroundings on a lovely Friday evening near Loch na Leitreach