Mullach Coire nan Geur-oirean from Invermallie Bothy

Mullach Coire nan Geur-oirean translates as Summit of the Hollow of the Sharp Edge. It isn't a well frequented hill, but is a fantastic viewpoint with Ben Nevis in particular arresting the eye. It is classified as a 'Graham', a Scottish Hill over 2000 feet but under 2500 feet, standing at 727 metres high, grid reference NN049892. We enjoyed a super day on 24th August 2009, mainly in sunshine, climbing the hill and stayed the night in Invermallie Bothy.


Loch Arkaig from Achnacarry.

I just love this part of the world, with the Eas Chia-aig waterfalls and the Mile Dorcha conjuring up the past, brought to life so wonderfully in the trilogy by D K Broster, the Flight of the Heron. The stories of Cameron of Locheil and the Jacobite cause remain some of my favourite reading. On crossing the bridge I noted that the Clan Cameron museum at Achnacarry is open to the public from 11am to 5pm. As we set off along the side of Loch Arkaig, my thoughts turned to the legend of Jacobite gold reputedly buried by its side!


Brambles or Blackberries.

We enjoyed these brambles as we walked along the track by the side of the Loch heading for Invermallie bothy. I always keep a look out for the fruits of the forest and noted some wild fungi, chanterelles and boletus luridus, as we went.


Boating on Loch Arkaig.

There is a fine boathouse on the Loch side about 3km along the track. Loch Arkaig is well used by pleasure craft and fishing is very popular.


Invermallie Bothy.

The Bothy at Invermallie is well maintained by the Mountain Bothies Association. We stayed the night in a very comfortable room upstairs. With the river running by, and the nearby Loch, it really is in an idyllic situation.


River Mallie near Invermallie.

The River Mallie is a typical Highland river, surging through gaps in the rocks, and when in spate is particularly impressive. The Scots pine just make the scene for me!


Scots Pine in Glen Mallie.


Stalking ponies in Glen Mallie.

We met these two stalking ponies at the ruin of Glenmallie house. We waited at the ruin watching two stalkers drag a deer off the hill, followed by three shooters. Whilst impressed by the strength and stamina of the stalkers, the Red Deer left me with a sad feeling. In death it had lost all the dignity that these fine beasts have on the hill. Even less dignified was the hunter with blood on his face to mark his first kill. We checked with the stalkers that it was alright to proceed up the hill, confessing that we should really have phoned ahead to check. They were happy for us to proceed and I must say that we've never encountered any problems with stalking in the past, as we've followed local advice.


River Mallie looking to Gulvain.

Further up the Glen, the munro of Gulvain appears. It is a shapely mountain normally climbed from the south near Glenfinnan. We followed the river for a further kilometre before climbing to the right of the obvious burn running down the hill.


Gulvain from Glen Mallie.


View from Summit Mullach Coire nan Geur oirean.

The view from the summit of Mullach Coire nan Geur oirean really is very special. The peaks of Ardgour jostle for attention, whilst Ben Nevis and it's neighbours look really spectacular. A real pleasure just to be there!


Ben Nevis looking from Mullach Coire nan Geur oirean.


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