SCOTLAND
■Distance: 8½ miles/13.6km ■Time: 7 hours ■Grade: Extreme
CHALLENGE WALK
Somewhat separate from the tightly knit confines of Glen Coe, Beinn a’Bheithir stands mighty and aloof, to gaze across the great sea loch of Linnhe and the lesser-known mountain tangle of Ardgour and the Morvern Peninsula.
This ‘Mountain of the Thunderbolt’ is impressive to behold, a real adventure to explore and its folklore tells of a murderous dragon that sheltered in one of its corries, preying on travellers on the road below. The massif is over 3 miles in length from east to west and is broadly U-shaped.
Several smaller ridges and spurs add characterful embellishments to its general form, while substantial forestry cloaks the low ground within its embrace.
Seen from the north, its two Munro peaks, Sgòrr Dhearg and Sgòrr Dhònuill tower above all else, separated by a low bealach at the bottom of the U.
This journey, which claims both Munros and takes on a touch of scrambling in ascent, is a big undertaking.
Starting from Ballachulish on the shores of Loch Leven, it’s a sea level start, meaning you really have to earn the views. It’s a long pull just to reach the Schoolhouse Ridge, a short, intermittent grade one scramble that adds a little spice to the ascent.
Eventually, you reach Sgòrr Bhan, a rocky summit that stands in the shadow of Sgòrr Dhearg. This Munro summit rises in a tremendous arc ahead, one of the most graceful sights in the West Highlands. Another factor that makes this such a strenuous day is the amount of descent and reascent linking the two Munro summits and the fact that the best return journey goes back up Sgòrr Dhearg. If this all sounds a bit much, Sgòrr Dhònuill can be left for another day. Whichever way you choose to accomplish it, the summit of this second Munro is a tremendous viewpoint. Loch Linnhe stretches away towards the distant Isle of Mull and the craggy form of Ardgour’s Corbett-in-chief Garbh Bheinn draws the eye.
PLAN YOUR WALK
ROUTE
Start/parking Parking on West Laroch road in Ballachulish, grid ref NN078581, PH49 4JJ Is it for me?
Mountain trails, one short grade one scramble, exposed ridges and 5300ft of elevation Stiles 6
PLANNI
