One of my hill walking friends arranged to get the boat across Loch Maree to climb the Corbett, Beinn Lair and the Graham, Meall Mheinnidh in Letterewe, North-West Highlands, as an alternative to the long walk in from Poolewe.
At 8am we met the boatman at the Loch Maree Hotel and were ferried across the loch landing around half an hour later just to the west of Letterewe House where deer were grazing in a field.
We located the vehicle track which took us to a dwelling not far from the main house then onto the path up the east side of the Allt Folais.
This path, which was in a reasonable state, initially zigzagged through the trees and gorse before emerging onto the open hillside and the Bealach nan Sac.
Good progress was made although I stopped a few times to take in the views back across Loch Maree to the Torridon Mountains and the Isle of Skye.
The footbridge over the Allt Folais was reached and crossed then it was onto the Bealach Mheinnidh where we left the path and commenced the ascent of Beinn Lair.
There were traces of a walker’s path above the cliffs with awesome views across the Fionn Loch and of the Fisherfield mountains to mention a couple.
Higher up a grassy area was crossed before we reached the large summit cairn.
After spending time at the summit we returned to the Bealach Mheinnidh and from there climbed the rockier Meall Mheinnidh although most of the rocky areas could be avoided.
On reaching the summit we visited the two high points as they appeared to be around the same height.
It was then back to the Bealach Mheinnidh and to the point on the shore of Loch Maree where we were collected by the boatman and returned to the hotel.
En-route we spotted feral goats amongst the trees at the shore side and some divers in the water.
- Time taken – 7 hours.
- Distance – 15 kilometres.
- Height climbed – 1310 metres.