Beinn Tharsuinn
3 November 2007
Beinn Tharsuinn is a fairly remote hill situated between Strathcarron
in the north-east and Strath Vaich in the south-west. The Strath Vaich
approach in particular would benefit from the use of a mountain bike
but whatever approach is selected there is still a lot of cross
country walking.
I opted for an approach from the north-west, without the use of a
cycle, as I had planned to use a stalker's path after around 1.5
kilometres, but as you will read this didn't materialise.
Strathcarron is reached along a single track road from Ardgay near
Bonar Bridge. At the telephone kiosk at The Craigs another single
track road goes to Glencalvie Lodge. Just before the Lodge there is
some limited parking.
I set off from this parking area and followed the track through the
Lodge grounds with its tree houses and well laid out garden including
a pond and small island. Beyond the Lodge I walked south up Glen
Calvie at the west side of the Water of Glencalvie. At the bridge over
this river I had planned to leave the vehicle track and follow a path,
marked on the map, across the hillside to Glen Malagain. However the
area was fenced off for natural regeneration of a Caledonian Pine
forest and there was no sign of the path.
I continued up the Glen, passing several hay stooks until I came to a
bridge over the Water of Glencalvie. It was partially collapsed so I
decided against a crossing at this point and continued to another
bridge just south of the joining of the stream Abhainn Coire
a'Mhalagain. I was carefully crossing this bridge when I my
concentration was disturbed by a salmon unsuccessfully leaping to the
next pool.
It was then rough going as I followed the Abhainn Coire a'Mhalagain
west until I came across a new bridge and then followed a wet and
boggy All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) track along the north side of the
burn. I had already seen and disturbed lots of deer and more were
spotted as I walked westwards. The ATV track wasn't in great condition
and the further west I went the worse it became. I decided to leave
the Glen once I was beyond a fenced off part of the north side of the
Diebidale Ridge. As I crossed the Abhainn Coire a'Mhalagain I saw a
few trout in the stream.
The climb of the steep hillside onto the ridge was really testing
through knee deep heather trying to follow deer tracks. Once the
gradient eased the walking was a bit easier and I climbed to the 691
summit. Here I had views east to Carn Salachaidh and Carn Chuinneag.
There was a cold strong wind blowing at the summit but it was dry
although I had already encountered a few short showers.
I still had another couple of kilometres west to go till I reached the
summit of Beinn Tharsuinn so I headed off down the rather wet west
ridge to a large area of peat hags which took a while to negotiate
before reaching the bealach. The ascent of Beinn Tharsuinn's east
ridge was rather different, it was steeper and quite rocky in places.
Around five ptarmigan took off into the wind. From the summit cairn I
had views of Carn Ban, Meall a'Chaorainn and Beinn a'Chaisteil
although the mountains to the west were cloud covered as another rain
shower approached.
Now the long walk back was in front of me. I had the option of
descending into Glen Mhalagain or to return along the Diebidale Ridge.
I opted for the later which involved returning to the 691 point, re-
crossing the peat hags and climbing its west ridge. However once over
this point the underfoot conditions improved until nearer the east end
where there were some more peat hags. Once beyond Mullach Creag
Riaraidh I followed a wet and boggy ATV track to Diebidale Lodge,
which appeared to be a holiday establishment. On the east side of Glen
Calvie there were dozens of stags feeding on the hillside.
A footbridge north of Diebidale Lodge allowed me to cross the Water of
Glencalvie and follow the vehicle track back down Glen Calvie to the
start.
Time taken - 6.75 hours.
Distance -22 kilometres.
Height climbed - 990 metres.
Photographs taken on walk can be seen at:
http://www.caledoniahilltreks.com/gallery07/beinn_tharsuinn_nov07/index.htm
Lindsay
www.caledoniahilltreks.com