Clashgour: map & interesting data
Total climbing: 444 m
Total time: 03:20:26
13.2 mile cycle, 3h20 from 11.05 to 14.25 – average 4 mph (including lunch)
This was our last excursion in our 7-day stay in Bridge of Orchy, Argyll and Bute (Scotland).
Off on our bikes
We left the cottage at 11am on our bikes and crossed the river Orchy stone bridge.
11.06 – On the minor road next to the river Orchy
Loch Tulla looked as peaceful as ever, and dramatic under that heavy sky. It was quite a contrast from the day before with all that sun.
11.25 – Looking back at Loch Tulla
We followed the minor road to the Inveroran Hotel, which is just under 3 miles from Bridge of Orchy. There was no one else around.
11.31 – Riding past the Inveroran Hotel
We continued on the same road and crossed Abhainn Shira.
A magic river
Abhainn Shira is the beautiful river that runs through Glen Shira. The word abhainn means “water” or “river” in Gaelic.
11.40 – Bridge over Abhainn Shira
Soon we got to Forest Lodge. There’s a junction there with the West Highland Way to the north.
Instead of taking that path, Simon suggested that we ride along Abhainn Shira.
Last minute decisions are often the wisest, and this one certainly was. We were to have some stunning views of Beinn an Dothaidh, the Munro we had climbed on Wednesday.
11.42 – An uninviting fence
So we took the estate track to the west of Forest Lodge.
11.44 – Riding past Forest Lodge
We cycled on the Land Rover track that runs next to Abhainn Shira, and soon got to the Clashgour Hut.
The Clashgour Hut
According to our guidebook, the Clashgour Hut is used by the Glasgow University Mountaineering Club.
I’m not sure how you can fit more than a handful of people there, considering how tiny it is. It must be quite cosy.
11.54 – Abhainn Shira & the Clashgour Hut on the right
The track continued through a forestry plantation to Clasgour, a small settlement.
12.07 – Going into the forestry plantation
We got off our bikes and walked through the farm, past some friendly cattle.
It was very muddy, even by our standards.
12.19 – Cycling through the Clashgour farm
We continued until what turned out to be an abrupt end to our path.
12.26 – Getting to the end of the path
Here we encountered a very locked gate.
On the other side, if you climbed the gate and walked a few yards, you could see Abhainn Shira, the river we had cycled along.
In the distance is Beinn Suidhe (676m), a Graham we plan to climb in the future.
To see where that peak is, drag the map at the top of this post slightly to the right.
12.29 – Liath, Mounty & Bike leaning against a locked fence
Turning back
After loitering for a little bit, we retraced our steps and soon we were back at the muddy farm.
The hungry cattle didn’t seem to think much of our quick return.
12.46 – Hungry cattle mostly ignoring us
A bit more pedalling and we were again at the Clashgour Hut.
The views of Beinn an Dothaidh and Beinn Dòrain, the two Munros next to our cottage, were breathtaking.
Seeing them disappearing in the cloud, it’s hard to believe we’ve managed to climb them both.
13.06 – Beinn an Dothaidh & Beinn Dòrain in the distance
We stopped for lunch by the wooden bridge, and admired Stob Ghabhar and Stob a’Choire Odhair, two of the Munros in the Black Mount group.
We haven’t climbed those, yet.
13.14 – Our picturesque lunch spot
Earlier that morning we had prepared tongue & tomato; and avocado, mint & chorizo sandwiches. I loved them. Alas, Simon wasn’t impressed by the minty taste.
We also had stewed redbush chai, my favourite.
From our lunch spot we could see to the south the two peaks we had climbed the day before, Ben Inverveigh and Meall Tairbh. #
To the northwest is Meall an Araich, a Graham Top that we’ll climb one day.
13.34 – Abhainn Shira & Meall an Araich (Graham Top) #
Dreamy Loch Tulla
Like on the way out, we rode along the western half of Loch Tulla.
On this road you can’t hear the traffic from the A82 until we got close to Bridge of Orchy.
13.59 – West end of Loch Tulla
It was a great ride. We saw some deer in the meadows, near Loch Tulla, and plenty of bridges. I love bridges, big and small.
We didn’t see other people, except for a guy building a fence in the Clashgour farm, and a cyclist we had seen the day before.
Also, we didn’t get any rain, and the temperature was most pleasant for cycling.
14.18 – Back at Bridge of Orchy
For dinner that evening we had a fantastic medley of lamb stew, pasta bake, salads, haggis and other leftovers from our previous meals.
It was un bocatto di cardinale.
I took all the photos with the Panasonic.