Aultbea South

Left the car at the start of the vehicle track heading east at the ‘U’ bend on the A832 Braemore Junction to Gairloch Road immediately south of the village of Aultbea. Walked along this track which soon ran alongside a secure area used by the Ministry of Defence, a prohibited area.

Crossed the bridge over the Allt Beithe then a slight rise before the track turned south-east later south, gaining a bit more height. At a highpoint left the track and walked the 160 metres to the summit of the Tump, Meall Loch a’ Bhaid-luachraich, marked by a boulder.

Carn Badna h-Achlaise
Carn Badna h-Achlaise
Towards Aultbea and Mellon Charles
Towards Aultbea and Mellon Charles
Meall Clais Charnach
Meall Clais Charnach
Beinn Dearg Bad Chailleach
Beinn Dearg Bad Chailleach
Beinn a' Chaisgein Beag and Mhor
Beinn a’ Chaisgein Beag and Mhor

Descended SSW to rejoin the vehicle track and followed it south to another highpoint before leaving it. Went round a knoll, crossed a deer fence, then it was a steep climb through heather, avoiding the rocks, and onto the summit of Carn Bad na h-Achlaise. The highest point of this Tump was probably a cairn on top of a large boulder although did visit another boulder which was probably slightly lower.

Loch a' Bhaid-luachraich, Meall Loch a' Bhaid-luachraich and Meall Clais Charnach
Loch a’ Bhaid-luachraich, Meall Loch a’ Bhaid-luachraich and Meall Clais Charnach
Route to Beinn Dearg Bad Chailleach
Route to Beinn Dearg Bad Chailleach
Loch Fada
Loch Fada
Towards Fisherfield
Towards Fisherfield

After a break here sheltering from the wind descended the north-east ridge, rough underfoot but an easy enough descent. This led to below the south ridge of Beinn Dearg Bad Chailleach. It was then a steady climb, crossing one small gully, onto the summit of this Hump marked by its trig point.

Gruinard Island and Bay
Gruinard Island and Bay

The west face was protected by crags so walked north before descending steeply through heather then round a few knolls and headed west over mixed vegetation to re-cross the deer fence. It was then a steady climb onto the Tump, Meall Clais Charnach, the summit marked by a large boulder.

Loch na Claise Carnaich, Meall Loch a' Bhaid-luachraich and Carn Bad na h-Achlaise
Loch na Claise Carnaich, Meall Loch a’ Bhaid-luachraich and Carn Bad na h-Achlaise
Loch a' Bhaid-luachraich
Loch a’ Bhaid-luachraich
Aultbea and Loch Ewe
Aultbea and Loch Ewe
Laide and Gruinard Bay
Laide and Gruinard Bay
Meall Buidhe and Meallan an Lochan-ghiubhais
Meall Buidhe and Meallan an Lochan-ghiubhais
Route from Beinn Dearg Bad Chailleach
Route from Beinn Dearg Bad Chailleach

Descended WSW, the ground later covered in dried out cattle hoof indentations, to rejoin the vehicle track which was followed back to the start.

  • Time taken – 5 hours 15 minutes.
  • Distance – 12 kilometres.
  • Ascent – 435 metres.