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Update: Work is taking place on the dam so it is currently closed and there are signs on all three access points advising of this. Apparently, though crossing is forbidden only when work is taking place. We also believe the 'cement store' bothy has since been demolished, a shame as in poor weather a good place to shelter and eat, or brew up. More info at the An Turas Mor website
About 20 miles to the northwest of Inverness, the Orrin Dam sits in a wild and rarely visited glen sandwiched between Strathfarrar and Strathconnon. The start is from the tiny cluster of houses at Aultgowrie where surprisingly there is a small visitor's car park. The ride starts on an easy mix of landrover track and access road until after one particularly stiff climb the dam comes into view as do remote views to the west and the distant Munros. Continue past the dam for perhaps a short mile until a small bothy is reached, a good place for a lunch stop. Leaving the bothy look just uphill from where the track has rejoined and you will see a small cairn of stones marking the rugged path you need to follow. You may or may not enjoy the mix of narrow (6" wide) stony track through the heather but beware of the innocent-looking pools of water that lie in your way, some are deeper than they appear! The track winds up down and around until it skirts a small lochan after which it improves considerably before passing the ruins of Achederson farm and turning downhill to the road and your start point A short route at just over 13 miles with a mere 1400 feet of climbing, trust me it feels bigger. Be sure to pick a reasonably good day to enjoy the scenery and take your own food and drink. |
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