The Great Outdoors – July 2019

Always take a map and compass with you. ©Crown copyright 2019 Ordnance Survey. Media 051/19

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Start/Finish

Meggernie Estate

car park, Innerwick

GR: NN586475

From metal barrier gate at top of

car park, follow track 1km NW

through forest.

(^2)
Ignore track branching
R and continue ahead.
Descend to cross Allt a’ Choire
Uidhre by bridge, go L and
ascend track.
Cam Chreag
Southern Highlands SCOTLAND
12km/7.5 miles/4-5 hours
Ascent 660m/2200ft^2
FRAGMENTS of the great
Caledonian Forest that once
covered much of Scotland
are rare, particularly in
the Southern Highlands.
However, travel up the
country’s longest and
loneliest valley – Glen Lyon

• and patches of this ancient
  pinewood survive, relics
  of a primeval plantation
  that have been growing
  here for 7000 years. The
  local estate, Meggernie, has
  been working not only to
  conserve these last vestiges
  but also to expand native
  woodlands.
  On my last visit to the
  area, I explored Kerrowmore
  Woods, above Bridge of
  Balgie; but when I returned
  recently, I discovered the

(^3)
Descend to re-cross Allt a’
Choire Uidhre at bridge and
continue up track to junction.
(^4)
Fork L and continue up track.
(^5)
Approaching corrugated
iron hut, branch L off track at
bend and ascend line of all-terrain
vehicle tracks over heathery slope.
(^6)
Where tracks end, continue
up over grass, passing bank
of exposed peat, to ridge.
(^7)
Turn R and follow faint path
along and up broad ridge to
summit cairn.
(^8)
Return to Innerwick by
same route.
Gradient profile Metres above sea level
James Carron
finds traces
of an ancient
forest
The Great Outdoors July 2019 87