Culbin Forest, Creagan a’ Chaise, Maol Chean-Dearg. 5 January 2025

Culbin Forest

The group that had planned to walk around Loch Garten and Garten Woods decided to go to Culbin Forest instead as there was snow forecast further south that afternoon.  Five of us met in a chilly Wellhill car park and followed the 'Culbin Forest and the Gut' circular route on Walkhighlands.  It was a 6 mile long varied route which took us past several points of interest in the forest, including the site of a buried village destroyed by a storm in 1694, along the shore and back by a different route. 

We stopped for lunch at the shore but the temperature was -2C and we had ice in our water bottles so it was a quick lunch!  The walk along the shore was lovely - the tide was out and the mud flats and tidal sand beyond looked atmospheric in the mist, with poles sticking out of the water which were put there during World War II to stop enemy gliders from landing. We then headed back to the cars fairly briskly as it was still chilly, but there was lots of good chat and we all agreed that it had been an enjoyable walk.

Taking part: Gina, Helen, Michael, Catherine, & prospective member Tom

Words and photos: Helen

Creagan a’ Chaise, Cromdale Hills

Six of us arrived at the very icy car park at Cromdale in a raw cold mist and negotiated an icy narrow road to the start at Wester Rynaballoch. A good track was followed by a steep snowy climb onto the ridge of the hill.  Climbing out of the mist, we found a spectacular temperature inversion and a sunny afternoon. At 597m was a monument in tribute to the coronation of King Edward VII, acknow. We had coffee and eats to celebrate in our own muted fashion.

A couple of kilometres south west across soft snow was another large cairn, on the 722m summit of Creagan a’ Chaise, Little Crag of the Cheese?! This cairn celebrated the 1887 Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria where obviously a great amount of cheese was consumed.

Our descent took us past the Clach nam Piobair (the Piper's Stone) where a fatally wounded piper played to inspire the Jacobites at the battle of Cromdale in 1690. Obviously to no avail as they lost 0-400. I suspect they hadn't had their cheese ration !!

We continued down the track and found that the burn had overflowed and frozen. This prompted the majority of the party to don crampons or spikes. We reached the road having gone through the farmyard at Lethendry.

The day ended in the usual manner with coffee tea and cake on the way back to Inverness. Another grand day out.