Glen Strathfarrar: Winter vehicle access arrangement 2023-24

Mountaineering Scotland has worked closely with Braulen Estate and East Monar Estate to reinstate the concession which allows vehicle access over the winter period (approx. 1st November to 31^st March) when the private glen road is closed to public vehicles. This arrangement with the estates applies only to Mountaineering Scotland members.

There is no right of vehicle access along the private road through Glen Strathfarrar, and the winter vehicle access arrangements include conditions which apply to all hillwalkers and climbers wishing to take advantage of the arrangement. Members should be aware that the road is neither cleared of snow or gritted during this period so particular care will be required when driving up the glen in winter conditions. 

Estate staff undertake extensive deer stalking during the winter, with challenging deer hind cull targets to meet in winter conditions. The conditions attached to vehicular access are requested by estate staff to avoid potentially disrupting this stalking, making it harder to meet deer management targets.

The main condition is that vehicular access is limited to the following destinations:

• The four Strathfarrer Munros of Sgurr Fhuar-thuill; Sgurr a' Choire Ghlais; Carn nan Gobhar; Sgurr na Ruaidhe;
• Two Munros south of Loch Monar: Sgurr na Lapaich; An Riabhachan
• The Corbett An Sidhean and the Munro Maoile Lunndaidh
• The winter climbing crags of Sgurr na Muice; Sgurr na Fearstaig; Sgurr Fhuar-thuill; Creag Ghorm a'Bhealaich;, plus An Riabhachan; Creagan Toll an Lochain; Sgurr na Lapaich.

Cars may be parked at four agreed locations:

• Mhullie Greens / Allt Coire Mhuillidh
• Start of the Allt Toll a'Mhuic
• Loch Monar dam head,
• The Power Station at Gleann Innis an Loichel.

Disturbance to deer is a serious issue for the estates and we strongly advise, to reduce disturbance to critical deer culling, that members follow the main routes and ridges to get to and from the summits and climbing crags as listed above. This arrangement for vehicular access does not extend to lower level walks in the glen during the winter period and members who do not follow the main routes may put this agreement at risk.

It is important to note that, in accordance with the requirements of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, members should be prepared to take reasonable advice on the day from estate staff, and may be asked to change their plans.

Other conditions of the agreement are:

• Name, Mountaineering Scotland membership number and contact details are required.
• Specific date/s of your intended visit and hillwalking or climbing objective for the day, supplied at least two working days in advance.
• Vehicle make and registration number.
• A combination number to a padlock on the main gate, maintained by Mountaineering Scotland, will be given once the visit details are approved by Braulen Estate. This code must not be passed on.
• No entry prior to 8am, exit on same day, no overnight stays.
• A maximum of three cars on any day.

This agreement is subject to review on an annual basis and departures from the submitted itinerary may jeopardise the agreement for other members.

For any walker or climber not wishing to take advantage of the estate’s concession for vehicular access in winter, statutory rights and guidance conferred by The Land Reform Scotland (2003) Act and Scottish Outdoor Access Code remain and the estate welcomes walkers and cyclists exercising those rights responsibly.