With a single Marilyn left to climb in Section 3 drove south on the Fort William to Crianlarich Road as far as the track leading to Achallader Farm, located on the east side of the A82, north of Bridge of Orchy. A short distance along this track was a large free car park.
Cycled to and round the north side of the farm buildings, then across a field on a vehicle track, a couple of gates to open and close, and to the ford on the Allt Ur. Managed, with a couple of wobbles, to cycle through this stream then continued along the vehicle track to discover on approaching the Water of Tulla a large area had been washed away. Used sheep trails to rejoin the vehicle track further east and onto the bridge over the river. Pushed the bike across the bridge which appeared old and rather worn out but was stable enough.
This led to the vehicle track, in reasonable condition, on the north side of the Water of Tulla and cycled north-east with another stock gate to open and close. Beyond there were frequent undulations and the condition of the track deteriorated.
Left the bike at Gorton Bothy, walked through an old fenced off area and climbed north through wet long vegetation, with the occasion deer trod, onto the west ridge of Meall a’ Ghortain. Ascended this ridge to the vegetated outcrop marking the summit of this Tump. It was windy here with low cloud, breaking briefly to see the route ahead.
Descended north into wet and boggy ground, expected as few contours shown on the map, with some peat hags, before the vegetated ground steepened on the ascent of Leathad Mor. With the cloud above this Marilyn, it was easy to locate the cairn marking its summit.
The return to Gorton Bothy was by the upward route avoiding the summit of Meall a’ Ghortain.
On the cycle out and on reaching the bridge over the Water of Tulla continued along the vehicle track on the north side of the river to emerge onto the A82 just south of Tulla Cottage. (The stock gate may be padlocked on occasions) The 800 metre cycle back to the Achallader Farm track wasn’t enjoyable with the volume of vehicles speeding past.
- Time taken – 5 hours.
- Distance – 24.5 kilometres.
- Ascent – 590 metres.