Beinn Enaiglair

Introduction

These two summits sit behind Braemore Lodge and lead on to the NW ridge of Beinn Dearg. The map shows a path circling Beinn Enaiglair and this looked a good outing - either including one or both tops - or even going over to Beinn Dearg itself. With the road junction at the 200 m contour significant height has already been gained and the tops are in easy reach.

A Circuit of Beinn Enaiglair

It was grey and showery as we set off from the ample car park at the road junction - cloud level was at 600 m and looked pretty firmly set. We did not hang about as the midges soon found us and started to bite. The drive to the lodge itself - recently rebuilt - is now off limits to walkers who are 'Requested' to gain 'The Hill' via a route behind (and above) the trees. The suggested route is marked by arrows and posts and after a few hundred metres of rough ground picks up an old trackway (not marked on the map). This does not last long and the posts lead off over some crags and further rough ground to reach the artificial Home Loch - approached with the long ridge of Ben More Coigach on the horizon behind. The path loops along the top of the dams - the loch is dammed on two sides - to reach the boat house and, beyond, the (excellant) track rising from the main house. A digger was parked up as some work had been done on a dam and water intake from the stream.

From this point a good path is followed up beside the stream to a junction (cairned) giving options of either clockwise or anti-clockwise routes around the circuit. Some sun was out on the coast but there was little movement here so we turned left (north) to contour around the side of the mountain. The path gives a fine view down on to the flat fertile land beside the River Broom.

As the path swings East around the shoulder the prospect changes to a remote and rolling moorland. A Ring Ousel flew out from our path and perched - protesting at the intrusion - on a rock. The path itself is well established and easy to follow with large slabs bridging the many small streams. Sections underfoot are wet and boggy as the course of the Allt na h-Ighine is followed upstream on the north side of the mountain. The slopes on this side are much craggier than the side seen from the road - today with the mist swirling around the cliffs. We saw a herd of deer looking down on us from above but they soon disappeared up the slopes.

Just before the col to Iorguill a path runs off in a NE direction and offers a route on towards the north east ridge of Beinn Dearg - this path is not shown on the 1:50000 map. The circuit path zig-zags up rocky ground to clear the col gaining and holding extra height. We settled down for lunch on the lee side from a stiff breeze - in mist and rain. The hills in the immediate vicinity were not shedding the cloud. Suddenly the mist lifted a little to reveal the wide U shaped valley running to Loch a' Ghabhrain and the reservoir and road to Dingwall. The cascades falling from Loch nan Eilean under Beinn Dearg could be seen some 3 km away.

The path continues for nearly 2 km in a SE direction heading out towards a long ridge - passing a prominent cairn on a knoll. At the junction with the path from Lochdrum (cairned) we turned right to climb slightly and pass under the craggy end of Meall Doire Faid. At the col the descent westwards begins following the side of a stream - this includes a significant waterfall. The path gives excellant views over to An Teallach and, as the confines of the valley are left behind, the full range of The Fannichs. These ranges were now largely clear and in sunshine - mist still skimmed the tops of the hills around us - Beinn Dearg was not to be seen.

We dropped down to Home Loch and patted a couple of ponies who were really looking for sugar lumps or other treats. We took the 'Requested Path' back to the car at the roadside.

This is a pleasant walk and can be extended by taking in the tops to the East, or by climbing Beinn Enaiglair itself. In clear weather the views would amply reward the effort of any climb.