Well the title might be a wee exaggeration, but maybe you won't think so! Rannoch Moor is an amazing piece of Scottish landscape, well seen from the road between Bridge of Orchy and Glencoe. But you can get a more remote feeling experience by taking the train from Tyndrum to Rannoch or Corrour stations - the latter being really in the middle of nowhere. Even Rannoch, which has road access, is miles from the main road to the east at Pitlochry.
A winter walk then from Rannoch to Corrour, taking in two easy but really remote Munros of Carn Dearg and Sgor Gaibhre was our idea for Saturday Feb 26th.
Two maps needed cos this is a very linear walk of 16 miles, 25.8Km, with 1200m of ascent.
From Rannoch Station, there's a lovely stroll along and up to a long hill ridge with ever widening views across the moor.
and then the wonderful traverse over the wide hills and down to gorgeous Loch Ossian, tramping west to Corrour Station and what must be the remotest cafe in Britain!
We had great service joining the London to Fort William sleeper at Tyndrum, and after a fabulously scenic journey up onto the moor, passing many deer en route, we arrived at Rannoch.
Not an amazing amount of snow about, but the day was looking promising.
A glistening and sparkling morning walking east from Rannoch Station to the start of the hill track known as the "road to the Isles".
Loch Eigheach was looking clean and new like Spring!
The Road to the Isles proved to be no motorway!
Beginning the ascent of the long south ridge of Carn Dearg, the views opened up brilliantly. Left of centre here is Glen Etive in the far distance, with the Blackwater Reservoir to the right.
Blackwater again, with (left) the Black Mount hills, Glen Etive, then Buachaille Etive Mor
When the snow gets sparse, the Ptarmigan are kinda easy to spot!!
Getting high now, and the view back to Rannoch is moody...
First summit - Carn Dearg. Misty, windy, but letting us look over towar our next objective, Sgor Gaibhre.
After a brief bite to eat, what's to do but begin the traverse to Gaibhre.....
... which proves to be an altogether sunnier spot with stupendous views over to Ben Alder, one of Scotlands remote greats!
A 2-pic pano of the same view:
Four good men and true - taken by a good woman!
From Sgor Gaibhre over Loch Ericht to Schiehallion
"Ladies and Gentleman we are beginning our descent to Loch Ossian, kindly observe the seatbelt sign......"
Beautiful evening light accompanies us along Loch Ossian - surely one of Scotland's great lochs. At this point we are at least 8 miles from any metalled road.
The walk took us roughly 8.5 hours - a really satisfying day. The fact that there is a great cafe at Corrour serving tea, ale, and fine banana cake, was a real bonus!
Then the 6.25 train across the darkened moor to Tyndrum and the fleshpots of the glorious Real Food Restaurant for "our tea!"
Thanks for looking in!!
Paul
