Hill: Beinn a'Mhonicag
Date: Friday 20th November 2009
Company: Myself and Beinn
Time: 1Hr 10Mins
Dog friendly: Yes

Having previously climbed Beinn Iaruinn, Carn Dearg, Carn Dearg, Carn Dearg and Leana Mhor (West), I fancied a return to Glen Roy today to do Leana Mhor (East). Unusually, I didn't bother checking out the forecasts before I left home. It was nice in the East, it certainly wasn't in the West. Loch Laggan was the highest I have ever seen it, with a considerable number of loch-side trees under water. On reaching the Laggan Dam I was seriously impressed at the sheer volume of water being released.

Laggan Dam:


On reaching Roybridge, I took the single track road up Glen Roy and parked about 1km from Glen Roy lodge beside the bridge over the River Roy. The river was massively in spate. After crossing the bridge I failed to get across the Allt na Reinich.

Once back in the car, I checked out nearby hills on the SatNav and was surprised to find a Marilyn in Glen Roy. A quick check of the map confirmed the starting point and no burn crossings. I drove back, and parked at, the viewpoint in Glen Roy. Beinn wasn't looking impressed at getting out of the car again.

Do I have to get out in the rain?

I have visited Glen Roy many times and never tire of seeing the parallel roads.

Glen Roy info (sign at viewpoint):


The ascent of Beinn a'Mhonicag is a steep but straight-forward climb direct from the Glen Roy viewpoint.

Beinn a'Mhonicag:


A nice grassy line up the hill avoids the bracken.

Looking back to viewpoint:


View along Glen Roy and parallel 'roads':


As we gained height the rain stopped for a while but low cloud limited the views of surrounding hills. The sky was black towards the Grey Corries.

Creag Dhubh (Fiona):


After an ascent of around 300m the ground began to level out and three cairns were visible. We visited the two highest ones.

Looking back to viewpoint:


Beinn at summit cairn:


We didn't hang around at the summit. We got back to the car 1Hr 10Mins after setting off. On the way home the weather was awful until we reached Grantown on Spey.

On reaching Keith, I also ascended the Marilyn - Meikle Balloch Hill.