Distance

12.7 km total

Elevation

278 m start

Vertical

750 m gain

Time

6 hr 5 min total

From the Cnocan Craig car park off the A 837. A good winding path over the moor took us up to about 400m. From there a fainter path, cairned higher up, and boggy in places, brought us to the summit of the minor top Meallan Diomhain. A short descent followed to a bealach, with a fine lochan. We then scaled the north-east ridge, steep with a boulder field higher up, to reach the summit. Stunning views of the Inverpolly Nature Reserve and Geopark, with its extraordinary peaks, a myriad of sparkling lochans, and sea views. We then descended to a bealach, to the south-east. BC continued back, while the three of us made the quick ascent to the cairned summit of the subsidiary top Creag nan Calman 828m/76m. West of the cairn was a huge drop over near vertical cliffs of ancient Torridonian sandstone. We then returned to the bealach to descend into the corrie and rejoin our outward route on Meallan Diomhain. Up to that time the weather had been hot, dry and windless. But then, very quickly, it changed. A strong south-west wind blew in heavy rain (no thunder), and we quickly donned full waterproofs for our return journey to our staring point, as cloud and mist rapidly poured over and obscured the hills. The long period of hot weather had broken. A day of dramatic contrasts. With BC, RP and DB.