Mam Carraigh above Loch Tulla.

Start. Bridge of Orchy.

Route. Bridge of Orchy - West Highland Way - Mam Carraigh - Inveroran - Bridge of Orchy.

Notes. We weren't here for the walking, booked at short notice we just fancied a few days away, time to rest and relax in picturesque surroundings, and what better place to come in February than Bridge of Orchy, gateway to the great moor of Rannoch. A vast area composed of blanket bog, lochans, rivers, and rocky outcrops, a true wilderness. The Bridge of Orchy Hotel was our home for a few nights so the one and only walk we did started from our hotel room, which happened to be a lodge detached from the main building on the edge of a large public car park, doesn't sound very inviting, it was perfect.

From the hotel we wandered to the River Orchy, fording the fast flowing waters via the splendid single arch of the Bridge of Orchy. Built in 1751 on the orders of the British government in a bid to suppress the rebellious Highland clans after the Jacobite uprising. From the bridge a path (The West Highland Way) rises through forestry, this we followed to the summit of Mam Carraigh a low mound, a satellite top of it's much bigger and far loftier brother Ben Inverveigh, it may be low but the views over Loch Tulla and Rannoch Moor were staggering, so much so that if it hadn't been for a combination of heavy snow, fading light and a table booked for dinner we would of stayed much longer. The sun was kissing the hills of Lorn to the west as we descended through long shadows to the Inveroran Hotel to access a narrow tarmac lane.

By 1803 with the Scottish clans securely under the wing of the British government, the military roads had fallen into disrepair, Thomas Telford was commissioned to repair them. I believe this narrow lane was once part of Telford's Parliamentary Road to Glen Coe, the main road north untill the A82 was opened in 1933. Just around the corner at Forest Lodge the road continues over the original mettled surface ushering West Highland Way walkers over Rannoch Moor, it guided us in the opposite direction through fast fading light, shadowing the beautiful shores of Loch Tulla followed be the dark waters of the River Orchy back to our hotel in good time for dinner.

view route map.

home.

The famous bridge the village takes it's name from, Orchy Bridge was built by General Caulfield in 1751, part of General Wades network of military roads built to subdue the Highland clans after the 1715 Jacobite Rebellion.

Ascending through forestry looking back to Bridge of Orchy.

First view of Loch Tulla with An Torr rising behind.

Sue strides out along this old military road, eager to reach the summit of Mam Carraigh.

The path just trod, looking back to Gleann Achadh-innis Challein.

A wonderful view to the sun lit slopes of Beinn Dorain with Beinn a' Chaisteil behind.

Over the tree tops An Torr above Loch Tulla with the River Orchy to the right.

Loch Tulla as seen from the summit of Mam Carraigh.

Rising into the snowy Highland sky, Beinn Achaladair and Beinn an Dothaidh.

Viewing Coir' Orain between the snow covered slopes of Ben Inverveigh and Meall Tairbh.

Seen from the tarmac lane guiding us home, Meall Tairbh.

The stunning view over Loch Tulla to the snow dressed slopes of Beinn an Dothaidh.

Loch Tulla a gem welcoming you to the wild emptiness of the Rannoch Moor.

The sun lit slopes of Beinn a' Chaisteil carrying a wonderful cap of cloud..

Seen from the famous Bridge of Orchy, the River Orchy looking towards Rannoch Moor.

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