I had one remaining Tump still to climb in the Inverness to Strathspey Section (9A) which was located to the south of Cawdor. This village was reached from the A96 Inverness to Nairn Road then along some minor snow and ice covered roads to the road leading to Ruallan and Rehiran Farms. I left my car on some rough snow covered ground near the north end of this road and walked south-west to the start of the farm road to Rehiran. This road was rather icy and at the farm I spoke with the retired farmer. I doubt he sees many walkers.
I then passed through a twin set of gates onto a snow and ice covered vehicle track that wound its way to the pylon line where I left the track. I then waded south-south-east through snow covered heather, there were a few self seeded conifers around, to a deer fence which I crossed. This took me into a young conifer woodland where the walking was more awkward due to the hollows created when planting took place.
This led onto a knoll and from there I headed south to the deer fence realising that I could have avoided it by walking round the enclosure. Anyway snow covered long heather was crossed as I ascended Creag an Daimh, the summit marked by a cairn. Views were restricted due to some cloud. Nearby were traces of an ATV track in the snow.
The descent to the west of my upward route avoided the deer fence. Lower down I crossed a stock fence then came across a vehicle track which appeared to run across the hillside.
I followed it briefly but it soon became icy before turning west along the side of another stock fence. An old stock fence was crossed then some very rough snow covered vegetation to reach the pylon line and the start of the vehicle track that led back to Rehiran Farm and thereafter my car.
- Time taken – 2.75 hours.
- Distance – 6 kilometres.
- Height climbed – 215 metres.