14-15/08/21 Weekend Meet: The Smiddy, Dundonnell, Corbetts Beinn a Chaisteil and Carn a Chuilinn

There were only two FVMC members, BR & MMcE, who could attend August's Weekend Meet at the Edinburgh JMC’s hut called The Smiddy, Dundonnell. It was sad so few could go as it is a comfortable wee hut just 10 minutes of walk from the Dundonnell Hotel and it is surrounded by LOTS of big hills!

Arriving at the hut on the Friday evening it seemed that the best weather bet for Saturday 14th was to do an ascent of the Corbett Beinn a' Chaisteil from Black Bridge. This would entail walking about 8km along the track by Loch Vaich to Lubachlaggan bothies, then up the stalkers path to the rounded plateau and then summit.

For Sunday 15th the weather looked more settled in the east so it was decided to head south and east to Fort Augustus to climb the Corbett Carn a' Chuilinn, a hill reached mainly by a mixture of windfarm track and stalkers path.

The Smiddy, just 10 minutes walk southeast of the Dundonnell Hotel.

Heading towards Beinn a' Chaisteil, BR & MMcE walk up track approaching the weir near Strathvaich Lodge.

MMcE is the author of all the photos in this post, bar two…this is one of them by BR! Strathvaich Lodge in the distance.

Loch Vaich.

Don’t be fooled, BR looks as though he has a plan…but he’s just waving to the camera.

The Loch Vaich water level is low. Lubachlaggan ahead.

BR approaching the trig point on the summit of Beinn a' Chaisteil.

The cloud lifted to give panoramic views revealing Seana Bhraigh.

They returned across the Corbett Top, Meall a' Ghrianain (reported by tweed clad folk they met as the Elephant) to Lubriach and the track back to Black Bridge.

…and on the way, Alpine Bearberry turning autumnal red.

Sundew.

…and a wooly bear.

On Sunday 15th they cleared the hut before heading south east to the Fort Augustus area.

The Smiddy kitchen.

Bunk area for 8 x folk.

The start point of the climb to Carn a' Chuilinn was reached after a 2 hour drive, eventually parking on the B862, southwest of Loch Tarff and just east of the bridge over the Allt Doe. There was easy access to the main track by following a Squirrel marked trail which led down the road, over bridge and then steeply up to join the track up Glen Doe.

Mink trap? Others placed across streams spotted too.

Tributary of the Allt Doe.

The summit ridge is very uneven. BR heading towards the cairn.

MMcE is reminding BR that time is moving on and it would be good to get down the road…besides there are rain clouds approaching.

Someone who is not bothered by the rain…a brown hare.

…despite the sheep warnings they eventually got down the road in good time - but were soaked getting to the car!