Càrn Dearg, Càrn Sgulain & A’ Chailleach (Completion of 4 Monadhliath’s)

Written by Mark Vogan on June 19, 2026 in Scottish Mountains with 0 Comments

Day/date: Sunday 14 June, 2026

Munros: Càrn Dearg 945m/3,100ft (No 92) Càrn Sgulain 920m/3,019ft (No 93) A’ Chailleach 930m/3,050ft (No 94)

Start point: End of public road in Glen Banchor (nr Newtonmore)

Drive length: 1h 20m / 62 miles

Walk length: 15.5 miles / 9.35 hours

Weather: BASE: Sun/cloud mix, light breeze, 10C /SUMMITS Cloud/Mist, moderate wind, 6/9C, WC 3C

Straight after watching a first Scotland win at a world cup since 1990, I hit the road just after 4am and headed the relatively short journey down the A9 to Newtonmore then veered off into a minor road into Glen Banchor.

This would prove to be a challenging day’s walk. Longest since 2019 and 2nd and final visit to this area as today would complete the 4 munros of the Monadhliath’s having completed Geal Charn back in April 2019.

While distance wasn’t so much the issue, it was the bogginess of the terrain a couple miles in once leaving the ATV track and into the hills. Pleasant skies gave way to increasing low cloud and some cool wind as I gained height. The low cloud, lack of path and very boggy conditions under foot which eventually saturated my boots, I veered off course. Ascending and descending, trying to find my route to the 1st munro burnt time and energy but eventually I regained my boggy, muddy, heathery, peaty path as the rain began to come down.

Eventually I reached the first munro, Càrn Dearg, highest and probably best of the Monadhliath’s. From here, it was the long and arduous 12 mile walk across the bumpy and bouldery plateau. Fine on a clear day but rather miserable in cloud, mist and a cold sideways falling rain and drizzle. It was a long 12 miles from 1st to 2nd munro, Càrn Sgulain but I got there, this was followed by more misplaced steps which once again took me off course further loosing time and energy which was slowly running low at this stage. Once again, doing it the hard way, I eventually stumbled my way to the 3rd and final munro of the day, A’ Chailleach and my 94th overall. While still very boggy, it was a more straightforward downhill walk from here thanks to cloud lifting, sun coming out and a clear view of the route back to Glen Banchor.