Coire
nan Cisteachan across Mhoine
Mhor ( The Great Moss )
from Mullach Clach a Bhlair
Map of Moine Mhor
and Monadh Mor in the
Cairngorms Massif
Map of the
Cairngorms Massif
MONADH MOR &
BEINN BHROTAIN - ROUTE DESCRIPTION:-
Location:
Cairngorms
Map: OS Landranger 43
Distance: 16 miles (26km)
Time: 8-10 hours
Terrain: Long, serious mountain walk Monadh Mor and Beinn Bhrotain rise on the
southeast periphery of the atmospheric Moine Mhor, an expanse of stony
ridge and hollows of turf and moss. It’s a favourite feeding place of
red deer and reindeer and a
haunt of Arctic-type birds like ptarmigan, snow bunting and dotterel.
Moine Mhor offers solitude, green rather than grey, a soft pearl in a
crown of hard diamonds. Its acres flow south from the Sgurans and the
head of Loch Einich and over Mullach Clach a’Bhlair to upper Glen
Feshie.
Bounded on the east by the huge swells of Monadh Mor and Cnapan Mor,
its peat-hag ridden heartland is gnawed deep by the River Eidart, a
tumultuous watercourse fed by some of the highest burns in the country.
Climb up from Glen Feshie, following a footpath up Coire Ruaclh
and on to the broad col between Sgor Gaoith and Carn Ban Mor to access
the remote Munros of Monadh Mor, 1,113m, and
Beinn Bhrotain, 1,108m, returning to Glen Feshie by the old foxhunter’s
path to Achlean.
It’s a big day — about 16 miles of hard walking.
Below Sgurr Gaoith, Loch Einich fills a cliff-girt hollow. Opposite,
wind-scoured corries pockmark the dome of Braeriach, the UK’s third
highest mountain. Beyond lies the squarecut profile of Cairn Toul, the
fifth
highest hill in the land. Easing itself south from these landmarks the
Moine Mhor forms an addendum to the high tops of the Cairngorms. The
result
is an area that is neither moorland nor mountain, but a mixture of both,
a shallow basin in the cusp of Carn Ban Mor, Mullach Clach a’Bhlair and
the diminutive top of Tom Dubh.
Beyond Tom Dubh's dumpy profile lie Monadh Mor and Beinn Bhrotain.
From Tom Dubh climb the slopes of Monach Mor to its whaleback
ridge and take a path to the summit cairn. The highest point is about
halfway along the ridge. From there the path leads to a
subsidiary top then down steep slopes to a bealach.
From there, steep boulder-covered slopes finally led to Beinn Bhrotain.
The local name of this high pass has led the mountaineer and ecologist
Dr Adam Watson to question the assumed translation of the great corrie
that falls from the pass into Glen Geusachan. Most authorities suggest
Coire Cath nam Fionn means the corrie of the battle of the Fingalians,
the warriors of the Celtic hero Fionn Macumhail, but if the corrie is
named after the bealach above it, as would seem likely, then it’s
simply the corrie of
the pass of the Fingalians, and nothing to do with a battle. The
Fingalian link is probably authentic, as Beinn Bhrotain is the hill of
Brodan, the jet-black hound of Celtic mythology.
Route:
Start and finish at the Red Burn car park in Glen Feshie (GR: NH852012)
Follow the path that climbs through the woods beside the Alit Ruadh and
high into Coire Ruadh.
Where the footpath stops a more sketchy path climbs the corrie to the
shallow bealach between Sgor Gaoith and Cam Ban Mor.
From here head SE, past the head ol Coire Odhar and views of Loch
Einich and continue to Loch nan Cnapan.
Continue just S of E, skirting Allt Luineag to the high ground above
Loch nan Stuirteag.
Head S on to the ridge that leads to the summit ot Monadh Mor.
Walk past the summit, descend to Cadha nam Fiann and climb steep rocky
slopes to the summit of Beinn Bhrotain.
Return the way you came but head slightly S of Loch nan Cnapan to pick
up a bulldozed track.
Follow the track tor just over a kilometre until it takes an obvious
bend to the left.
Leave it here and continue due W, over Meall Dubhag and down its NW
slopes to the pine woods of Baden Mosach.
Follow the path to Achleen.
