We’ve heard great reports about Loch Toll an Lochain, a magical place surrounded by the spectacular rugged peaks of An Teallach. With clear waters, wee sandy beaches and the curving slopes of this impressive mountain surrounding the corrie, Loch Toll an Lochain has been on our agenda for a while.
After such a long spell of dry weather it was our best chance of doing the walk without sinking up to our knees in peat bogs. We began our walk just a short way from the Badrallach turning on the A832.
After briefly fighting through dense rhododendron bushes the walk initially follows close to the south side of the Coir’ a Ghiubhsachain river.
It’s a beautiful walk alongside the Coir’a Ghiubhsachain river. Several water falls are passed & what looks to be the remnants of an old wooden water mill. When the river is in spate you can see why it might be heavy going under foot but if you strike it lucky after a dry spell the ground is very easy going.
The peaks of Sail Liath, Stob Cadha Gobhlach, Corrag Bhuide and Sgurr Fiona coming into view
The path is faint in parts but with an OS Map handy & thanks to some carefully placed cairns it’s straight forward enough to follow.
The views looking back down to Dundonnell.
The really damp areas are a haven for dragonflies & other water dwellers. Unfortunately the dragonflies were reluctant to pose for photos but after a bit of trying we managed to encourage one to hang around on a rock for long enough to take a snap. Might have cost a fortune without a digital camera!!
It’s just around the corner he says. It won’t be long now until we reach the corrie……………………
At last the majestic Loch Toll an Lochan is reached. Sitting proudly beneath the ridge of An Teallach. An Teallach is seen by some as Britains most dramatic and challenging Munro, with 10 summits over 3,000ft along it’s ridge.
The rough walkway across the corrie with fine views of Stob Cadha Gobhlach, a munro at 960 meters.
The famous (or infamous dependant on your head for heights) Lord Berkeleys Seat & the Bad Step form part of the An Teallach ridge. The ridge is a grade 3 scramble & whilst we were at the corrie we could see plenty of walkers enjoying a day out on the tops. Lord Berkeleys seat gains its name from the legend that Lord Berkeley would often sit up there smoking a pipe whilst dangling his legs over the edge of a 500 meter sheer drop. We felt queasy watching the brave leg danglers!!!
Unfortunately it’s not uncommon to see the rescue team in the area & today was no exception. The Dundonnell Mountain Rescue Team cover the area & the volunteers do a fantastic job in helping those in distress.
A little piece of history. Part of the old Caledonian Forest, trapped & preserved in the Peat.
Heading back down stream & away from the corrie you get impressive views of an escarpment together with the distant hills of the Fannichs.
Loch Toll an Lochain is certainly an amazing Corrie, we shall see how Loch Coire Mhic Fhearchair compares …….to be continued………
an cois na mara b&b 