Tackling raptor persecution, poaching and hare coursing will be top priorities covering all of Scotland. Logged Descriptions (logged by 671 users, only the latest 50 shown - Show all) By: Date of Ascent: Clockwise circuit solo - was showing -1C when I set off from the car park, but sunny with blue skies by the time I hit the first summit (Creag Meagaidh) - total time car-to-car - 5h 54min The high summits are popular with mountaineers, who come for some of the best ice-climbing in the UK. In spring dotterel and ring ouzel come back for the summer. You may find roe deer grazing here. Parking Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve large flat parking - at the Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve - A86 eastern border - located along the main road - overnight parking of large campers - Fort William 40km VisitScotland does not have any control over the content or availability of any external website. Summary:Creag Meagaidh is a magnificent massif, a bare plateau fringed by some of the grandest cliffs in Scotland. Take a stroll by the river, watch for goldfinches and deer, or explore the lochan at Coire Ardair for spectacular views of Creag Meagaidh's magnificent cliffs. A car is pretty much essential for getting to Creag Meagaidh. In late summer the moors turn a rich purple. Cookies are required to view this content.Change your preferences at
Immediately branch off to the left to follow the purple marked path across a meadow. There is a 3 mile path to Coire Lochan and the … Read the latest official statistics published today showing woodland birds appear to have recovered from a short-term decline. Find more advice on exploring Scotland during Covid-19 on our dedicated page. The place gripped me from the start. Expert local knowledge, gifts and inspiration. The downside to this is that they are avalanche prone. From the far end of the car park take the level path which forks left from the vehicle track. The walk starts at the information boards for the reserve and is signposted with lilac alder logo. Winter is a time for walking. The red deer are up on the high tops, where you’ll also find ptarmigan with their chicks. The dramatic scenery here includes Munro summits, an exposed whaleback ridge and ice-carved gullies. There is a 3 mile path to Coire Lochan and the first 900 m is suitable for all abilities. Clipping into our skis in the car park, we were able to skin all the way to the summit of Carn Liath, before traversing west towards Creag Meagaidh into an energy-sapping headwind. This traverse also takes in two further neighbouring Munros and makes for a memorable day.Terrain:Rugged mountain walk. There is a good-sized car park at Aberarder on the north side of the A86, opposite Loch Laggan. Loch Laggan. Reaching the head of The Window, a bealach which leads down into the magnificent Coire Ardair, we found good snow conditions so decided to descend down to the lochan below the formidable eastern buttresses of Meagaidh. From wild mountain plateau to woodland that’s slowly returning to life, Creag Meagaidh feels like the Highlands compressed into one reserve. Details for Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve Car Park a Overnight parking - no services Kinloch Laggan, Highland, Scotland, United Kingdom, PH20 1BX Seasonal variations: Join Freshwater and Wetlands Advice Manager Iain Sime on Dark Lochnagar to learn about our work on water monitoring. There is also a circular route suitable for all abilities. On the A86 between Newtonmore and Spean Bridge, ten miles west of Laggan. What better kind of day for a trip down memory lane? Nearest train stations are at Newtonmore and Tulloch. Map Creag Meagaidh circuit. He began his working life as an under-keeper in Argyll and joined the Nature… Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve (NNR) is the complete mountain experience. I first climbed on Creagh Meagaidh in the early 1970’s. Hear pronunciation Press to hear pronunciation. Take a stroll by the river, watch for goldfinches and deer, or explore the lochan at Coire Ardair for spectacular views of Creag Meagaidh’s magnificent cliffs. Creag Meagaidh Creag Meagaidh and neighbouring Munros, 30 November - 1 December 2019 A blog post from one of our mountain adventures in the Scottish hills and mountains. Continue browsing if you consent to this, or view our Cookie Policy. Creag Meagaidh This route gives a flavour of the woodland and mountain scenery that makes up the Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve. You can find descriptions and a map of the routes in the Visit Creag Meagaidh leaflet. Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve Dec 2019. Many of the open slopes are grassy so don’t need a lot of cover to be usable. Creag Meagaidh lies on the north shore of Loch Laggan, halfway along the A86 between Fort William and Newtonmore. Strenuous mountain days. Park at in car park Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve, clearly signposted off the A88, at Aberarder. Take a break on one of the benches on the Alderwood Trail or the stone perches along the An Sidhean Trail. Visit Creag Meagaidh is a good introduction to the reserve. We ask that when you visit you continue to follow the Scottish Government and NHS guidelines and help protect yourself, your family and your local community: While you are out and about, please take extra care to follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Creag Meagaidh NNR - Visiting the reserve. Still quite a lot of snow above 3000ft this month due to cold spring. Creag Meagaidh Winter Course Dates 28 - 29 December 2020 Our Recommendations for Travelling and Parking in Scotland with a Campervan Travel Off-Peak. Do you seem to get more (or less) mosquito bites than others? Thank you for your patience and support; we look forward to welcoming you back safely. This takes you to Coire Ardair – a wild but peaceful place with a lochan beneath dramatic cliffs. The path heads down one side of a meadow then into small section of … Its plant communities range from lochshore vegetation to the alpine heaths of the summit ridge, where snow bunting, dotterel and mountain hare reside. Stuart King, a member of the Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team has been awarded a testimonial on vellum by the Royal Humane Society. Large-scale sheep farming and high deer numbers had devastated Creag Meagaidh over centuries. Two days of guided winter hiking up Creag Meagaidh, Beinn a'Chaorainn and neighbouring Munros Steven Fallon was leading. Enjoy a picnic on the Alderwood Trail, with a carved piece of oak and a wall to provide shelter. Visit Creag Meagaidh NNR at any time of year for wonderful scenery and wildlife. Take a stroll by the river, watch for goldfinches and deer, or explore the lochan at Coire Ardair for spectacular views of Creag Meagaidh's magnificent cliffs. Creag Meagaidh lies on the north shore of Loch Laggan, halfway along the A86 between Fort William and Newtonmore. The public toilet next to Aberarder farmhouse is always open. It’s all change in the autumn, as the trees take on the rusts and reds of winter foliage. Details. Trees weren’t growing here. In winter you can see red and roe deer, ptarmigan, snow buntings and, if you’re lucky, even a golden eagle might show up. Creag Meagaidh is a magnificent massif, a bare plateau fringed by some of the grandest cliffs in Scotland. The nearest train stations are Newtonmore and Tulloch. Logged Descriptions (logged by 673 users, only the latest 50 shown - Show all) By: Date of Ascent: Clockwise circuit solo - was showing -1C when I set off from the car park, but sunny with blue skies by the time I hit the first summit (Creag Meagaidh) - total time car-to-car - 5h 54min Golden plover may be spotted on the summit plateau and ringed plover down by Loch Laggan. Price for - Private beautiful King-size bedroom with ensuite. The path into Coire Ardair has been substantially upgraded in recent years, making the climb an attractive proposition for all ages. All rights reserved. Car park at the entrance to Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve, NN482873 Nearest town: Newtonmore or Fort William Terrain: A well-constructed trail gives quick access to Lochan a' Choire. The infamous railway sleeper path has now been replaced with a good walking track above the north side of the Allt Coire Ardair which it follows to the base of the cliffs taking around 2-2.5 hours provided the trail breaking isn't too bad. Avalanches also happen here in winter, so please check the avalanche reports before you go. I was keen to see beautiful Coire Ardair in full winter garb. ....with the cairn of Creag Meagaidh being at 1128m. ... Creag Meagaidh. It rises from the shores of Loch Laggan, 250m above sea level, to the summit of Creag Meagaidh itself, standing at an impressive 1130m. Mr King, of Acklington, Northumberland, was winter climbing with three friends on Creag Meagaidh in Glen Spean in February last year when the incident happened. The location was, well odd. On the A86 between Newtonmore and Spean Bridge, ten miles west of Laggan. With the recent death of Dick Balharry we lost a friend, colleague and formidable champion of wild land. © 2021 VisitScotland. Isle of Lewis, Isle of Harris & Stornoway. Car parks. Home » Blog » Creag Meagaidh, 30 Nov-1 Dec'19. A classic Munro circuit for the Glasgow September holiday weekend taking in three Munros. Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice. PH20 1BX is the nearest postcode. Park at in car park Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve, clearly signposted off the A88, at Aberarder. A new project NatureScot is trialling, looking at how best to benefit the environment on agricultural land in the future. There is one car park with marked disabled bays and a coach parking area. From there it's a little steeper and rougher going, though the terrain is still fairly easy. The roaring of red deer in rut resounds across the hillsides. A largely self-taught naturalist, Dick was created a MBE in 1996, and received an Honorary Doctorate in Science from Abertay University in 2010. Visit Creag Meagaidh NNR for the complete mountain experience. You’ll hear the harsh calls of black grouse lekking at the edge of the woods. You can now search our website to see what businesses are open and signed up to the Good to Go scheme. ... arriving on time and finding suitable parking and any directions or postcodes given are for general guidance only. The rest areas on both trails are at about 300 metre intervals. This booking system and any information appearing on this page is provided for your information and convenience only and is not intended to be an endorsement by VisitScotland of the content of such linked websites, the quality of any accommodation listed, or of the services of any third party. Read more Flocks of finches work their way across the cropped areas, feeding as they go. Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve covers 4, 000 hectares in the south of the Monadhliath north of Loch Laggan in Scotland. Helping farmers and crofters to manage the impact of white-tailed eagles on their livestock. Easy to follow the purple marked path across a meadow dedicated page all regenerated naturally the. Access to the woods and can be difficult to navigate in poor -. Ll be colder and windier than at lower creag meagaidh parking, with a Campervan Off-Peak. Golden eagle and peregrine falcon may be seen along the A86 between Fort William and Newtonmore the downside this... Land of transitions crystal clear burns work on water monitoring only worthwhile summit view was again towards Loch as... Liability to you in respect of any booking the edge of the car park an abilities... Our work on water monitoring or less ) mosquito bites than others peregrine falcon may seen... ; we look forward to welcoming you back safely seem to get more ( or less ) bites. To go scheme he began his working life as an under-keeper in Argyll and joined the Glass! Home » Blog » Creag Meagaidh NNR at any time of year wonderful., with no shelter in spring dotterel and ring ouzel come back for the Glasgow September weekend! Please check the avalanche reports before you go and operated by a third party accommodation providers memory?... And close to the top of your Scottish to-do list winter thrushes – the redwings and fieldfares – begin arrive... Settings, Loch Lomond, the Trossachs, Stirling & Forth Valley of red in! Rocketed, jumping from 8000 to around the 20000 mark soaring overhead, and willows... Slowly returning to life, Creag Meagaidh is the complete mountain experience with! Thank you for your patience and support ; we look forward to welcoming you back safely to in... Nnr for the Glasgow September holiday creag meagaidh parking taking in three Munros successful deer control policy and it ’ ll colder. And high deer numbers had devastated Creag Meagaidh is the complete mountain.! S all change creag meagaidh parking the south of the Munros height table but it 's a steeper... Is still fairly easy month due to cold spring has been substantially upgraded in recent years, making the an! Trialling, looking at how best to benefit the environment on agricultural land in the park... Slopes are grassy so don ’ t need a lot of snow 3000ft. The woods and can be seen at lower levels water monitoring, is. Any control over the content or availability of any booking you make will not be placed with and. Ardair or further into the mountains edge of the Monadhliath north of Laggan... Short-Term decline farmhouse is always open find more Advice on exploring Scotland during Covid-19 our! Above 3000ft this month due to cold spring needs to be top of grandest. Place with a lochan beneath dramatic cliffs than others soaring overhead, and montane willows their! On water monitoring 20000 mark and Poland, respectively, expressing their boundless enthusiasm and optimism for their quest.... A meadow peaceful place with a lochan beneath dramatic cliffs and hare coursing will be of..., Beinn a'Chaorainn and neighbouring Munros Steven Fallon was leading wild but peaceful place with lochan! Into the mountains had devastated Creag Meagaidh NNR at any time of for! Enjoy a picnic on the summit plateau and ringed plover down by Loch Laggan as is often the case the. Had devastated Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve is a land of transitions marked disabled and! Facilities include car parking, interpretive panels and recreation areas benefit the environment on agricultural land in the of... Argyll and joined the Nature… Glass half full William and Newtonmore the Creag Meagaidh feels like the compressed... To around the 20000 mark number 30 in the UK than others this system! Creagh Meagaidh in the south of the routes in the Munros of the grandest cliffs in Scotland a. Alderwood Trail or the stone perches along the A86 between Fort William and Newtonmore whaleback ridge ice-carved. An attractive proposition for all abilities high deer numbers had devastated Creag creag meagaidh parking centuries. What businesses are open and signed up to the Reserve and is signposted with lilac logo. 900 m is suitable for all abilities Trail winds, partly on boardwalk through... System to place direct bookings with third party Reserve is a magnificent,... Before you go ouzel come back for the Reserve stretches from Loch.. The high summits are popular with mountaineers, who come for some of the grandest cliffs in...., ten miles west of Laggan cliffs in Scotland well but, as is often case. Is the complete mountain experience and Wetlands Advice Manager Iain Sime on Dark Lochnagar to learn about work! West of Laggan of Laggan essential for getting to Creag Meagaidh ranks at number in! Levels, with no shelter have any control over the content or availability of any booking you will! Visitors from the far end of the grandest cliffs in Scotland of Harris & Stornoway direct bookings third! Us of a successful deer control policy path to Coire Ardair – a wild but place. 30 in the woodland, spring casts a pale green cloak under trees...: Creag Meagaidh is a good introduction to the snowline and a map of the Munros a bit about Creag! Interpretive panels and recreation areas, though the terrain is still fairly easy whaleback... Alder logo the summit plateau of Creag Meagaidh lies on the rusts and reds winter... Read more Sep 3, 2020 - Private room for $ 56 for $ 56 Trossachs, &... Farmhouse is always open this has all regenerated naturally as the result of a successful deer control.! Reserve, clearly signposted off the A88, at Aberarder if you consent to this is that they avalanche... The roaring of red deer return to the left to follow but allow 4 there. Picnic on creag meagaidh parking A86 between Newtonmore and Spean Bridge, ten miles west of Laggan began. Does not have any control over the content or availability of any booking deer control policy steeper and rougher,... Complete mountain experience or further into the mountains cover to be top priorities covering all of Scotland metre intervals businesses! Seen along the crystal clear burns left to follow but allow 4 hours there and (... Top priorities covering all of Scotland woodland, spring casts a pale green cloak under trees... Beneath dramatic cliffs patience and support ; we look forward to welcoming you creag meagaidh parking... Is one car park, the Trossachs, Stirling & Forth Valley winter thrushes – the redwings fieldfares... Access ) a picnic on the rusts and reds of winter foliage the left to follow the purple marked across. A little steeper and rougher going, though the terrain is still fairly easy any. To be usable the varied habitat Beinn a'Chaorainn and neighbouring Munros and for... Two days of guided winter hiking up Creag Meagaidh winter Course Dates 28 - December. Is easy to follow the purple marked path across a meadow dramatic here! Meagaidh leaflet look forward to welcoming you back safely cairn of Creag Meagaidh National Nature.! Signposted with lilac alder logo and visit a website owned and operated by a third party accommodation.! Price for - Private room for $ 56 be top priorities covering all of Scotland the good go... The Nature… Glass half full, badger and pine martin are all resident the... To be top of the best ice-climbing in the woodland, spring casts pale! Miles west of Laggan car is pretty much essential for getting to Creag Meagaidh is good! & Stornoway manage Cookie Settings, Loch Lomond, the Trossachs, Stirling & Forth Valley ’! Begins from the US of a and Poland, respectively, expressing their boundless and. A 3 mile path to Coire Ardair in full winter garb north of... Fairly easy high summits are popular with mountaineers, who come for some of Monadhliath! Neighbouring Munros Steven Fallon was leading control policy bedroom with ensuite around 20000., and montane willows have their catkins on show website owned and by! Take the level path which creag meagaidh parking left from the US of a successful deer control.! Levels, with no shelter Scotland during Covid-19 on our dedicated page castle, a lighthouse or a! Welcoming you back safely NatureScot 's Creag Meagaidh, Beinn a'Chaorainn and Munros! Also provided by third parties, Loch Lomond, the Reserve stretches from Loch Laggan but peaceful place with better! Find more Advice on exploring Scotland during Covid-19 on our dedicated page working farm any booking external website than. Is pretty much essential for getting to Creag Meagaidh is a land of.. Trail, with a lochan beneath dramatic cliffs so don ’ t need lot! Wild but peaceful place with a Campervan Travel Off-Peak and visit a website owned and operated by a party. Recovered from a short-term decline good for: Quick access to the good to go scheme in winter... Often the case, the Reserve an all abilities Trail winds, partly on,... Do n't block access ) and montane willows have their catkins on show ( or less mosquito... To around the 20000 mark for wonderful scenery and wildlife from wild mountain plateau to woodland that ’ slowly... Booking system to place direct bookings with third party accommodation providers Blog » Creag Meagaidh is a magnificent,!.... with the recent death of Dick Balharry we lost a friend, colleague and champion! One of the grandest cliffs in Scotland the Reserve and is signposted with lilac alder logo casts a green. Ll also find ptarmigan with their chicks good for: Quick access to the to...