16. The Saddle

A very popular route with hill climbers, it is known by the munro it eventually leads to but it also takes in the Forcan Ridge, an ascent that is quite a challenge in its own right.

The two sections requiring repair were to the first part of the route, a stalkers path winding its way up to the col between Biod an Fhithich and Meallan Odhar. Being a stalkers path it follows a well thought out line avoiding steep gradients with the result that many sections have worn well. However in certain sections, dainage is now beginning to fail and deep gullies are appearing within the pathline.

The second section continues from the col as it gently climbs to the base of the Forcan Ridge. 'Formed by use' it offers an interesting contrast to the stalkers path, with vegetation damage and erosion spreading well beyond the boundaries of the original pathline.

Initail repair work was undertaken in 1998 to a short section at the start as it crossed the floor of the glen. The main repair work due to be undertaken in 2003 with Heritage Lottery Funding, will involve refurbishing badly gullied sections of the old stalkers path, restoring the old fords and culverts, and repairing the climbers path as it leads to the base of Forcan Ridge.

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