This walk will chart progress, memorable moments and scenery captured on our camera.
When I say we, that is my wife Suzanne and our German Shepherd; Blue
Our starting point today is from our holiday cottage set on the Shore of Upper Loch Torridon in a small village called Annat (NG895545)
Dressed for the worst, we set off from our holiday let, which is set on the road from Torridon to Shieldaig A896 for about 100 yards where there is one of the strangest properties I have ever seen, a home built into the rocks.
As you pass the rocky house there is an opening on the left, which has the appearance of a grass drive heading up to a house above, follow this route to the top and on the left just before you arrive is an opening in the wall to your left where the path goes back on itself.
Crossing a timber bridge over the burn, you arrive at a metal gate, which begins your walk.
The path is easy to follow, but as always a compass and a 1:25 000 scale map should be part of your equipment.
The path heads East parallel to the road, above the village of Annat, soon the sights of Upper Loch Torridon open up to your left, with the surrounding Torridon mountains of Beinn Alligin & Liathach opening up to your left and in front of you.
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| Beinn Alligin looms above Upper Loch Torridon |
The walk continues to wind around "Bat na Cisteachen" on a path that mixes between a gravel earth and rocks, but good sturdy walking boots are essential. As you come to point where there are two paths on the map, you will follow the path to the right, head away from the view of the road the path swings south and south east in parts steeper, but never a scramble.
You will descend into a crevice where there is another bridge to cross a burn NG906541which then climbs comfortably around "Bach an Airigh Riabchaich"
As stated before there is the three of us, and the one who sets the pace and mood of the walks is primarily Blue, at the time of this walk he was heading towards his fifth birthday, but is a seasoned walker in the Highlands. Blue is a German Shepherd who needs to be on a lead most times. We never forget that we are only visitors, and these mountains are the home of Scotland's wildlife, so to ensure that Blue doesn't encounter or upset the residents of these hills/mountains he always walks on a lead, which is absolutely fine with. We are trying out a harness for the first time, to give him a wee bit more freedom to sniff and explore the many smells and scents.
The weather remained favourable and our walk took us to an obstacle, stepping stones across the gentle burn. Well sadly the gentle burn is not the true description, the burn was in spate due to all the rain that had been falling the weeks before, and still coming of the mountains even without fresh rainfall today.
I have no issues with crossing, but Sue has a fear of falling/slipping into the water, and Blue well it really gets his juices going and is difficult to control a fully grown GSD weighing in at 47kg.
Upon closer inspection it was evident that it would not be favourable to cross using the stones, and the depth elsewhere was inhibitive. Consulting the map and looking at the surrounding area, I came up with a plan which would mean moving to higher ground and joining the footpath further south.
As we made our way across towards higher ground, away from the path, the ground beneath us was getting more and more moist underfoot, then without warning, my left foot began to submerge into the boggy ground. Trying to regain my balance, moving my right leg round for stability, wrong move. I was sinking fast, as i submerged down to knee depth, my only choice was to remain calm and shift my weight forward, in doing so Blue placed one paw on my shoulder the other on my head and began to climb onto me ! Grabbing his lead Sue pulled Blue away so that I could remove myself out of the bog. Looking around, we were equal distance between the path and higher ground, we went for he higher ground, which was reached safely.
While taking a moment to reflect the danger of what had just occurred, the stench of the bog was wafting off my boots and gaiters, which were cleaned in a nearby pool of water.
We decided, that it would be unwise to continue to our destination and would return to the cottage, but there was no path to follow, the path was the other side of the boggy area.
Making our way north, we safely navigated a route over the rocks and solid ground until we rejoined the path we had come out on.
Strange how the paths look so natural, but it does make you realise their value, and the work put in to maintain them.
As Upper Loch Torridon came back into view we took a few pictures, to remember the walk.
We arrived back at the cottage almost 5 hours after we had set out, walking almost six miles.
Today was a very memorable adventure, but also a reminder that there are dangers on the mountains, and where possible remain within your own limitations and expertise.
my thanks to Sue and Blue for sharing a great day out.
Data recorded on a Suunto watch is shown on the link below
rod1871's 4:51 h Trekking Move
OS Explorer Maps 428 & 429 References points shown in pink italics
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