These two Fionas are not too far from my home – about an hour’s drive from Inverness – but they have never seemed that appealing. Most reports reveal people tramping over boggy and inhospitable ground yet I was keen to get out on a winter’s day and I didn’t fancy a long drive, nor a huge challenge. So, with my friend David P, we decided Carn Breac and Beinn na Feusaige would be a good route for a short winter’s day.
Walk to Carn Breac
The route leaves the roadside in Glen Carron, some 5km south-west of Ledgowan on the A890. We parked and set off north-west on a wide track and along the edge of forestry. The track, then path, runs close to a river and we stayed low in the glen. After a while, the path ascends and while it became less obvious, we were still able to mostly see a way forwards. I can confirm this is a fairly wet and muddy route but it felt quite “Fiona-ish” and nothing out of the ordinary in terms of terrain.
We walked through boggy bits, on path bits and through winter vegetation. As we walked, we talked and laughed and reminded ourselves how lucky we are to live so close to an amazing outdoors playground.
At an elevation of about 500m, we took a turn to the south-west and continued for what seemed like a surprisingly long walk on a gradually increasing route. There were a few ups and downs but mostly we ascended above a rockier terrain to our east.
Carn Breac is at a height of 678m and the spot is marked by a magnificent stone-built trig and shelter. Because the trig takes up a lot of space in the shelter cairn and due to the direction of the wind, we ended up sitting to the outer and other side of the shelter cairn opening for a bite to eat.
Walk to Beinn na Feusaige
To reach the second Fiona, we could have dropped back to the glen, returned along the route we had already walked and then ascended a trod north. However, we decided to stay high and once we had returned to the point some 500m above sea level, we continued east. There were a few ups and downs, including Meallan Mhic Iamhair at 499m, then a drop just below a lochan before ascending gain to Beinn na Feusaige, with its summit of 627m.
The terrain was challenging due to thick vegetation and it was very wet underfoot.
On the way, we passed the wreck of an old plane. Apparently, the aircraft remains are from USAAF B-26 Marauder, which crashed due to poor weather in 1943, killing all five crew members. It was sad to think of the lives lost.
The day was damp and cloudy so we did not see much from our walk except for during the descent, when the clouds shifted and the late sun came out. What we did then see, including other mountains in the glen, such as Moruisg and Sgurr nan Ceannaichean, was truly beautiful.
I am not sure I would highly recommend this route because it is challenging but if you choose a day with clear skies and after a period of dry weather, you might well find it more pleasant. On the other hand, any day out in Scotland’s mountains is a better day than being sat indoors, so I guess what I am saying is there are better hills and mountains but if you want to bag all the Fionas, you’ll need to walk to these two summits so you should try to choose a good weather day.
Details: Carn Breac and Beinn na Feusaige
Distance: 15.5km
Total elevation: 960m
Our route: Strava & OS Maps