Cnoc Fyrish - Saturday 23 March 2024
Route
Novar Estate Cnoc Fyrish Car Park - Clais Druim a' Bhathaich - Contullich Burn - Castrain a' Mhadaidh ruaidh - Creag an Sputain - Cnoc Fyrish - Contullich Burn - Clais Druim a' Bhathaich - Novar Estate Cnoc Fyrish Car Park
Parking
Novar Estate Cnoc Fyrish Car Park which is just over 2 miles north west of Alness. The Grid Reference is NH 628715 and the nearest postcode is IV17 0YE.
Mileage
4.5 miles
Terrain
Good mountain paths and forest tracks throughout
Weather
Strong winds, brief showers and sunny spells
Time Taken
2hrs 40mins
Total Ascent
954ft (291m)
Map
OS438 Dornoch & Tain
Walkers
Dave, Angie & Fudge
Novar Estate Cnoc Fyrish Car Park - Clais Druim a' Bhathaich - Contullich Burn - Castrain a' Mhadaidh ruaidh - Creag an Sputain - Cnoc Fyrish - Contullich Burn - Clais Druim a' Bhathaich - Novar Estate Cnoc Fyrish Car Park
Parking
Novar Estate Cnoc Fyrish Car Park which is just over 2 miles north west of Alness. The Grid Reference is NH 628715 and the nearest postcode is IV17 0YE.
Mileage
4.5 miles
Terrain
Good mountain paths and forest tracks throughout
Weather
Strong winds, brief showers and sunny spells
Time Taken
2hrs 40mins
Total Ascent
954ft (291m)
Map
OS438 Dornoch & Tain
Walkers
Dave, Angie & Fudge
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GPX File
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Route Map
Today's walk started from the Novar Estate Car Park and follows the Jubilee Path to Cnoc Fyrish
The route heads through woodland on a good path
After a short, flat section the path rises gently to Clais Druim a' Bhathaich
Crossing the footbridge over Contullich Burn
The path through the woodland was just delightful and we had it to ourselves
To add to the beauty of the forest, the sun broke through the clouds
Someone took the opportunity to roll around in the wet grass and also have a dip in the burn
The route passes a lochan at Castrain a' Mhadaidh ruaidh
Another view of the lochan - this was a lovely area and so peaceful
A glorious panorama of the Cromarty Firth & Alness Bay
A little higher up looking to the Cromarty Firth & Invergordon
The final rise to Cnoc Fyrish
The Fyrish Monument is now in view as we near the summit
As my attire suggests, once clear of the protection of the woodland it became very chilly
The Fyrish Monument
The monument was built in 1782 on the orders of Sir Hector Munro, 8th of Novar, a native lord of the area who had served in India as a General. As the local population were being cleared off the land they had worked for centuries on, survival was a problem and therefore it was built to keep the locals in labour. It was said that Sir Hector rolled stones from the top of the hill to the bottom, thereby extending the amount of time worked and paying the labourers for additional hours. The monument represents the Gate of Negapatam, a port in Madras, India, which General Munro took for the British in 1781.
The monument was built in 1782 on the orders of Sir Hector Munro, 8th of Novar, a native lord of the area who had served in India as a General. As the local population were being cleared off the land they had worked for centuries on, survival was a problem and therefore it was built to keep the locals in labour. It was said that Sir Hector rolled stones from the top of the hill to the bottom, thereby extending the amount of time worked and paying the labourers for additional hours. The monument represents the Gate of Negapatam, a port in Madras, India, which General Munro took for the British in 1781.
A side on view of the Fyrish Monument - it should feel out of place but strangely it doesn't
A panorama of the Fyrish Monument
A Cnoc Fyrish selfie - Fudge's ears show 9.5 on the flapometer
To return to the Car Park we chose not to return the way we came and instead headed north east
Ben Wyvis from the descent path
Nearing the outward route the sun made another appearance
Back on the outward route approaching the Car Park - Fudge questions whether it is time for his tea