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The hamlet of Dalwhinnie, and its distillery, lie to the
west side of the A9 close to the junction with the
notorious A899 to Fort William – recently classified as
one of the most dangerous roads in Scotland!
The A9 was originally built by
General Wade in the second half of the 18th
Century as the preferred route through the Grampians
between Atholl and Badenoch, superseding the previously
used Minigaig. Still one of the classic Scottish walks in
its own right, the 28 mile/45 km Minigaig Pass - one of
the longest, highest and oldest of Highland through routes
- links Blair Atholl, ancestral home of the Dukes of
Atholl, in more or less a straight line northward, with
Ruthven Barracks, site of an ancient stronghold of the
Comyn family, not far from Kingussie and was a favoured
route of the drovers on their annual journey south to the
Crieff and Falkirk trysts (cattle fayres).
This area of Highland Scotland is a sparsely populated and
desolate place especially in the winter - or inclement
summer - weather but the area draws thousands of tourists
annually, from all over the word, to marvel at the sheer
beauty of the spectacle these hills create – and to taste
the variety of Dalwhinnie brands of whisky! Walking away
from the relative safety of the roadside into the hills
and surrounding area, however, should only be undertaken
with great care and thoughtful preparation.
The route in to ‘bag’ this Munro begins from the side of
the busy A9. at a gate immediately opposite the Private
Road leading to Chuaich Cottages. Take note of the content
of the estate and Highland Constabulary signs and posters
that adorn the entrance before negotiating the gate.
Follow the wide, rough road up to a junction then bear
left and continue for 1 mile/1.6 km alongside the aqueduct
that transfers water from Loch Cuaich to Loch Ericht.
Cross the aqueduct by the second bridge then walk on past
the small, Scottish and Southern Energy’s Cuaich Power
Station, then take the track left alongside the Allt
Cuaich to the locked bothy that stands a short distance
from the southwest end of the loch.
The obvious hillside track begins almost immediately after
crossing the wooden bridge over the Allt Coire Chuaich.
The initial section of the track comes as something of a
short, sharp shock to the lungs after the relatively easy
stroll in from the start but it gets easier as the climb
progresses even though it is wet and muddy in places
underfoot! Stac Meall Chuaich, at around 2625 feet/800m,
offers an ideal vantage point on which to pause and take
in the view. From here there are a few narrow tracks that
can be taken which, in addition to the wider, main one,
all lead up to the summit. Before enjoying that luxury
however, there is a short boulder field to negotiate
through which, as is normal with this kind of terrain, the
path becomes indistinct but then is easily picked up again
once onto the short heather of the almost flat top. A few
rusted fence posts and large cairn mark the summit. There
is also a smaller, memorial cairn beside the main one.
Since the sides of this Munro are quite steep in places
and without any obvious alternative exits, the recommended
return route is the reverse of the upward one. |
WALK FACTS
Distance:
9 miles/14.5 km. Ascent 2135 feet/651m
Map:
OS Landranger 1:50,000 Sheet 42 - Glen Garry & Loch
Rannoch.
Start/parking:
Grass verge on the east side of the A9 to north of
emergency layby. GR: NN 655867
Grading:
An easy route over this Munros starting from high
altitude. Ideal for fit adults and older children. A good
winter walk, but full weather and navigational equipment
must be carried. Dogs should be kept on a lead and under
strict control at all times as the route passes through a
Speyside Cairngorm Deer Management Group estate.
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