A classic west highland ridge walk over four close-linked Munros, the steep-sided, grassy Strathfarrar hills are almost invariably done from the south. It's the easiest way to visit them all. Strathfarrar is one of the most beautiful of Scotland's glens, too, but it suffers an unusual access situation. The private road up the glen is controlled by a gate, with vehicle numbers and permitted times strictly enforced. As a result, these hills tend to see a rush for a short spell of the day, as walkers move through in a burst in their hurry to fit it all between opening and closing hour. Access from the north, by contrast, is unrestricted. It's a longer walk-in, from the road in Strathconon over into remote upper Glen Orrin. From here the less-trodden northern side of the range gives quite rough going, so don't expect an easy stride. The advantages are obvious - no time limit, and plenty of peace. You can still be enjoying the ridge in solitude after the Strathfaffar massive has legged it for the gate; and it's a tremendous ridge to get to yourself.
Yes you could, but it's steep and stony going up out of Strathconon and I wouldn't personally find that nice or probably even much of a time/effort saver. It'd need someone with a better bike and better skills than me (OK, that's pretty much anyone who goes mountain biking for fun).
Second Rogers comment, would be good to add a note to park responsibly and for those starting early or finishing late (as is likely) to be mindful of disturbance to the estate residences.
While a good route, extending west along the ridge to the tops of Fearstaig and Carn Eitiege brings one into much less travelled ground that feels a world away from the ‘four’, but makes a much longer day to an already big outing. Better suited to a bivi trip.
Having done two outings from Strathconnon it must be time for you to wrap up the two boggy corbetts South of Scardoy?
Partner arrived there solo, late on a winters evening after cycling there from Muir of Ord to find a piss-head party in residence despite its formerly low key status. Deciding to avoid such company she pressed on and it wasn’t till the shoulder of Anoach NR that she found a bivi spot in a blowing hoolie and white out.
