Hills: Creag Dubh and Carn nan Gobhar
Date: Saturday 24th August 2019
Company: Just myself
Distance: 14.6km, Ascent: 955m
Time: 5Hrs


On Friday evening, I drove from Inverness to the Loch Mullardoch dam car park where I parked up for the night. On arrival, the midge were horrendous; opening the van door for just seconds resulted in lots of midge inside the van. After a good but brief night's sleep, I had some breakfast and was suited and booted and ready to walk by 5.40am.

It was my intention from the outset to ascend Creag Dubh and Carn nan Gobhar only. Creag Dubh was my main target of the day as it was my final Munro to complete from the original 1891 Munro list. There are 32 original Munros no longer on the current list.

Click here to see a map of the route undertaken

I set off walking as quickly as possible but despite going quickly the midge were keeping up with me! I therefore had to stop to get the midge net from the rucksack. It was much more pleasureable walking once the midge net was on.

Looking back to Mullardoch Dam car park:


I was soon following a good quality track running alongside the loch which was a pleasant surprise as my map showed only a footpath.

Loch Mullardoch:


The good quality track continued alongside the Allt Mullardoch, I therefore suspected it would lead to a new small hydro scheme.

Looking back to Loch Mullardoch from the track alongside the Allt Mullardoch:


I was correct in my thinking. I do question how much power these small schemes produce and is it really worth putting in so many unsightly tracks and altering the natural flow of burns for such little gain! Energy companies are ruining the beauty of Scotland with too many hydro schemes and windfarms and this seems to be perfectly acceptable to the Scottish Government.

New small hydro scheme on Allt Mullardoch:


Beyond the new hydro track it was back onto the old track that I recalled from my previous ascent in 2005. Soon thereafter I left the track and went trackless towards the summit of Creag Dubh.

Looking back towards Loch Mullardoch:


The trackless ascent was hard work and I was conscious of ticks as I progressed through the grasses and heather.

Carn nan Gobhar:


Once the incline eased-off, it was a nice walk towards the summit of Creag Dubh.

Nice early morning light:


Heading for Creag Dubh:


Final ascent of Creag Dubh:


View north:


It was nice to reach the summit of Creag Dubh, my final original Munro, on the 100th anniversary year of Hugh Munro's death. I suspect not many people go on to complete the 1891 list as it is not promoted in many places. WalkHighlands doesn't even cover the Munro Tops. Both the Munro Tops and the 1891 Munro list are available on this site.

At the summit of Creag Dubh:


From the summit of Creag Dubh, I made my way across to Carn nan Gobhar, a current Munro.

Heading from Creag Dubh towards Carn nan Gobhar:


Looking back to Creag Dubh during ascent of Carn nan Gobhar:


I initially visited the large cairn which marks the lower summit before carrying on to the smaller cairn at the actual summit.

At the lower of Carn nan Gobhar's two summits:


Sgurr na Lapaich:


Heading towards the summit of Carn nan Gobhar:


On reaching the summit of Carn nan Gobhar it was seriously tempting to carry on along the ridge to complete the remaining three Munros. It was still very early and it was a lovely day but a current ankle injury and pulled muscle in my back made me stick to my intended plan. The remaining three Munros will be there for another day possibly for a return with my tent. Injuries, and getting older, are a real pain!

At the summit of Carn nan Gobhar:


From Carn nan Gobhar, I returned via trackless terrain towards the small hydro scheme track aiming for one of two new bridges crossing the Allt Mullardoch. Once onto the good track, I followed it back to the van.

Mullardoch Dam:


As my walk was complete by 11am, I still had plenty time to make other plans. On reaching Beauly on the way back to Inverness, I noticed that RSPB Tollie was only ten miles away. I therefore visited RSPB Tollie to see the Red Kites. They are a wonderful sight to see. A few photos follow.

Red Kite:


Red Kite:


Red Kite:


Red Kite:


Red Kite:


Red Kite:


Red Kites:


Red Kite: