Monadhliath run

Peaks: A'Chailleach (930m), Carn Sgulain (920m)
Area: Monadhliath, Central Highlands
An underrated range of hills that grabbed my attention from the top of Creag Dubh on Monday. Apart from the three Munros, the range is virtually deserted: in fact, it must be the wildest (or least trodden) stretch of land in the UK as it goes on for 30km or more towards Loch Ness. It is featureless beyond these hills above Newtonmore, but they have some unexpected little corners and are well worth exploring. It all made for a great little pre-breakfast run. I parked at the top of Glen Banchor, where we had all enjoyed the climax of the Wildcat trail yesterday. This valley is very beautiful: verdant and tranquil, and a considerable contrast with the wild atmosphere of the Monadhliath mountains immediately west. A good track meant that the running was easy and progress was quick up the obvious valley of the Allt a'Chaorainn. The first peak of A'Chailleach is a notable objective from Newtonmore, and a surprisingly shapely hill at close quarters too. I crossed the river and headed for the very lonely stalker's bothy high on the hillside of An Leitir before continuing to the broad upper ridge. All this was very runnable, still unusually dry underfoot. Unsurprisingly, I had the peak to myself - around 55 minutes from the car - and it seemed I had found a bit of a weather window in the sense that the high Cairngorms were clagged in, as were the other nearby Munros like Creag Meagaidh. But the Monadhliath were essentially clear, with cloud peeling away from Carn Dearg and others. There is a powerful sense of remoteness to this range, which I really liked. I always say I have no interest in Munro-bagging, because too many of them are uninteresting puddings, but I don't think it's fair to put the Monadhliath in this category. I ran north on superb springy turf, really fast, dropping into the hidden valley of the Allt Cull na Chailleach. This is surprisingly steep and tight, and a climb out of the far side leads to the genuinely dull Munro of Carn Sgulain, which really is one of the 'puddings' and almost devoid of distinguishing features. It does, however, allow for views over the real wilderness of the northern Monadhliath, very rarely visited. I dropped back to the valley, several pretty waterfalls and a real sense of discovery, picking my way satisfyingly through the crags to regain the main Chaorainn valley right at the top. A golden eagle spiralled on the thermals above Am Bodach. Fast running led back to the car, and the ten minute drive back to the cottage in time for breakfast and a day at Loch Garten.