North of Balgowan, Strathspey

I left my car at the east entrance to the hamlet of Balgowan, just off the A86 Newtonmore to Laggan Road, and walked a short distance north-west passed a few houses and onto a path that led to a deer fence, part of the East Highland Way. The deer fence was followed through trees and onto open ground which was a bit boggy in places. I headed north-west onto the east face of Creag Bhile and to the rock slab marking the summit of this Tump. I also visited a couple of other highpoints which were potentially the same height.

Balgowan and Strathspey
Balgowan and Strathspey
Across Strathspey to Creag Ruadh
Across Strathspey to Creag Ruadh
Strathspey and towards the Spey Dam
Strathspey and towards the Spey Dam
Meall an h-Uinneig. Route taken to the left
Meall an h-Uinneig. Route taken to the left

The descent north-west took me to the east side of a deer fence enclosing fir trees and into boggy ground with several bog pools. At a break between the mature trees and younger ones I walked through the fenced off gap and into a field badly churned up by cattle, making the climb north tricky attempting to avoid the mud. Beyond a gate in a deer fence I was into rough vegetation as I headed onto the south-west ridge of Meall na h-Uinneig. The going here was easy on short heather and led to the rocky summit where I visited both points of this Graham Top, there being no sign of a cairn.

Marg na Craige
Marg na Craige
Glen Banchor and Creag Dubh
Glen Banchor and Creag Dubh
View back to start at Balgowan
View back to start at Balgowan

I then descended north and climbed onto the East Ridge of Marg na Craig and to the summit shelter. A flat rock beside it marked the highest point of this Corbett Top/Hump.

Gleann Madagain
Gleann Madagain
Carn an Leth-choin
Carn an Leth-choin
Blargie Craig
Blargie Craig

Thereafter I descended its west ridge, easy going, passing five cairns although I don’t know their significance, and onto the summit of the Corbett Top, Blargie Craig. The highest point was an embedded rock but I couldn’t say which one.

Five Cairns
Five Cairns
Spey Dam and Creag Ruadh
Spey Dam and Creag Ruadh
Geal Charn
Geal Charn
Beinn a' Chrasgain
Beinn a’ Chrasgain
Marg na Craige and Meall na h-Uinneig
Marg na Craige and Meall na h-Uinneig

The return east took below the five cairns and Marg na Craige to the col between it and Meall na h-Uinneig and into Coire Each.

Binnein Mor and Creag Dhubh
Binnein Mor and Creag Dhubh

It was then a steep descent, rough and muddy due to deer, following the Allt Ruigh an Toisich into Srath an Eillich. From there I climbed Binnein Mor, easy going at first but tougher higher up due to the long heather. A cairn marked the summit of this Hump.

Carn Macoul and Gleann Ballach
Carn Macoul and Gleann Ballach
Gleann Ballach and Creag Liath
Gleann Ballach and Creag Liath
View back to start. Balgowan and Strathspey
View back to start. Balgowan and Strathspey

I then descended south-west and onto the track, a Right of Way from east of Cluny Castle through to Glen Banchor. On reaching the trees I walked through them to rejoin the path near Balgowan then it was a short walk back to my car.

  • Time taken – 6.5 hours.
  • Distance – 17.75 kilometres.
  • Height climbed 910 metres.