UKC

Posting this on behalf my dad as he isn't a member here but would like some advice please 

He needs to climb Seanna Bhraigh and would prefer to do it from Oykel Bridge because of distances mainly.

Intended to drive in and park at the old schoolhouse bothy and bike from there.

But he would be travelling in a motorhome and isn't so sure about the suitability of the road.

It's a two berth thing but coachbuilt and is still a fair size.

Far as I can see the track looks ok but maybe for a car, and what about things like parking places and stuff like that.

Either that or he could bike from the start but that looks like another eight miles or so on his day. Or just take a car instead.

Anybody familiar with the area there who would offer an opinion on the pros and cons of trying to take a van of this type in? 

Any advice welcome.

Thanks.

Craig

There is a locked gate less than a km before the Schoolhouse with a fair sized parking area in an old quarry ( NH 34709 97791). The track is good up to that point and a motorhome should have no difficulty provided it's not massive. It's still worth taking a bike for the remainder of the approach.

Has the track been repaired/resurfaced in recent years? A long while since I've gone in that way but I recall big potholes, very slow careful driving, and anxiety about my undercarriage (!)

Did this a couple of years ago.. suggest leaving the motor home on the main road- its a narrow track..

Also walked in but bike would have been easier- its a fabulous spot.

I was up there in Jan 23 and it was in good shape. It's better than many Highland roads!

One of those Hymer monstrosities might struggle but something single-axle, built on a Transit size chassis should be fine.

I can't better the excellent local knowledge of the track already here but has your Dad followed the track on Google Street view? It dates from March 2023 but might give him an idea of how he feels about it.

Dave

That would not be difficult! Thanks for the info though, been meaning to head in that way some time

Did it a couple of years ago from OB for final Munro.

- best approach to this hill 

- take a bike - tracks pretty good 

- parking in quarry as described above

- bothies are great 

- river crossings challenging after rain (crocs) - I remember 2 biggies on the cycle in and crossing the outflow of the loch at bothy 

- don’t bank on food at OB Hotel - check first

- go up jaggy ridge - but has slight sting in the tail at end (short rope maybe if not good scrambler)

Hi everybody thanks for the comments and for giving this some thoughts for us. Should be useful. So it looks like the track could potentially be a goer - van's not too large it's just a bit overgrown in the body I think. He'll be able to make a more informed decision. And I'll pass on the tip about checking the Google pictures.

Thanks again 

Craig 

I was there a few weekends back and the road is fine, no cavernous potholes. It just feels like it takes a wee while to arrive at the bothy as the road in is quite long! Definitely take a bike and cycle from the bothy as it shortens the day on your feet. Recommend Corriemulzie rib.

Is the gate at the quarry still locked or can you drive further? One used to be able to drive to Corriemulzie Lodge, then there were signs saying to stop at the Schoolhouse but that hasn't been the case for a few years.

I can't recall any sign specifying go no further than the Schoolhouse Bothy, however I could obviously have just not seen one. Neither do I recall a gate. Parking at the bothy was plentiful, though.

Cheers. I suspect it's sometimes locked and sometimes open but it's less than a kilometer of a difference anyway.

Thanks all

Cheers