An unexpected free day today, so I decided to go for a run in Rannoch Forest. Starting from where The Road to the Isles leaves the B846 I went along the track to the Allt Eigheach bridge before heading up via pt. 807m and pt. 838m to Meall na Meoig, these seem to be collectively known as Beinn Pharlagain. I then continued North to Sgor Gaibhre and Sgor Choinnich before returning via Mam Ban, Carn Dearg and it’s long South Ridge.
This provided an excellent circuit on good tracks lower down and short grass along most of the ridges. In cloud from around 600m all day and more or less constant drizzle on a South-West wind. The route was generally snow free, but there are some sizable patches remaining particularly on North and East facing slopes above 800m and crampons and axe will still be required on some routes, particularly after a frost. The delightful sounds of Snipe “drumming” and Skylark singing on the lower slopes plus, very unexpectedly, seeing what I think was a pair of Black Throated Divers made up for the lack of views from the hills today, which must be amazing in clear conditions given their location.
