A
Corbett in Glen
FeshieBy Colin Hogarth
We set out from Ruigh Aiteachain early in the day after a pleasant April night sitting round a roaring open fire drinking whisky and swapping jokes. The walk in from Tolvah, four miles to the north, was done the evening before.
Below the memorial by Carnachuin climb west over the open hillside, skirting between woodland on the left and a high fence on the right. There’s no path, but head straight up and as you climb you approach a blanket of forestry running across the hillside. Bear left here and follow a natural break running between the two plantations. Continue to climb west when you reach the end of the woodland on your right and a steady ascent leads to the summit of Carn Dearg Beag (small red peak) at 694 metres. There's a trig point waiting to welcome you at the top.
From here, head south and a long well graded ridge rises on to Carn Dearg Mor (large red peak). An estate track leads to the summit cairn, two miles walk from Carn Dearg Beag. The views from the top are fantastic, particularly east towards the Cairngorms and south east into Glen Feshie.
Descend west into the col between Carn Dearg Mor and neighbouring Carn Dearg, then drop down to the left to pick up a track. Follow this south, then east, to tiny Loch an t-Sluic, a flat-calm puddle of water nestling in a hollow in this narrow glen. The track descends below crags on the right into Glen Feshie.
Skirting by a plantation of pine and larch on the left, the way fords a wee stream by the ruin of an old cottage before curving north. At this point, you get a great view south down Glen Feshie, steep pine and rock-strewn slopes sweeping majestically down to the perfectly level valley floor.
Wander north, the track running parallel to the River Feshie. In a mile, it skirts through shrubbery more akin to the gardens of a mansion house than a remote Highland glen, before passing below the recently extended Glenfeshie Lodge. Continue straight on past the driveway to this secluded country retreat and you soon arrive back at the memorial.
If you’re returning to Ruigh Aiteachain, drop down to the left to the rickety bridge over the Feshie. Otherwise, carry straight on and follow the track out to Tolvah, four miles north.
Distance 9 miles/14.5km
from Ruigh Aiteachain or
15 miles/24km round trip from Tolvah.
Map OS Landranger
1:50,000 sheet 43.
Start Ruigh Aiteachain
(grid ref NN 847928) or Tolvah (grid ref NN 843996).
Parking Road end at
Tolvah.
Grading A fairly strenuous ascent early on, but otherwise a fairly easy day out
for fit, experienced hillwalkers.
