Since the cold, wet and windy days of Ullapool
last month, the contrary summer of 2015 has finally got its act together and
produced some classic summer hill-days that I’ve been lucky enough to share.
The
Cobbler
The Cobbler
This model mountain has to be the most
entertaining peak in the southern Highlands and is great fun getting to know. Try and leave it for a warm and sunny day,
preferably late afternoon or evening (sunset a real bonus) and take your time
to explore all 3 of its summits.
An excellent path zig-zags up from the Forestry
Commission car park at Succoth on the shores of Loch Long and the classic
profile of the wee man springs into view once you are clear of the
plantations.
The well-engineered path continues up beside the
Buttermilk Burn and through the Narnain Boulders before climbing steeply on to
the skyline between the north and central summits. The former is an easy walk, but the latter -
the highest point on the mountain - requires a deft wriggle through a large
hole (Argyll’s Eyepiece) in the summit column.
This is followed by a few paces of steady traversing of a rock shelf
before scrambling up on to the summit.
The Cobbler (884m).
The Summit
The south summit lies close-by, but this does
require a more challenging scramble on exposed rock that some might find a
climb too far. Don’t worry, you’re
unlikely to feel short-changed!
The South & Central Summits From the North Summit
Descending
from the 3 summits in warm evening sunshine with views of Loch Long and Ben
Lomond before you is likely to stay in the mind for a long time.
Meall
Chuaich
This straightforward outlier, 25 mins S of
Aviemore, is a good bet for a travel day and so it was that Doctor Jon opted to
do it whilst driving between Ullapool and Aberdeen airport (well, why wouldn’t
you)?
Loch Cuaich
A nice high start (350m) and the close proximity
to the A9 make for a relatively quick ascent.
We parked at Cuaich and followed the aqueduct as far as Loch Cuaich,
leaving the track soon after it crosses the Allt Coire Chuaich. The hill path is clear and only muddy lower
down. It stayed dry and clear for us and
Jon got his view so happy days! Meall
Chuaich (951m; hill of the quaich).
Meall Chuaich From the Aqueduct
We returned the same way and were back at the
car just over 4hrs after setting out. An
easy half-day, but enjoyable as always.
Beinn
Chabhair
Beinn Chabhair
This lumpy mountain lies hidden above the A82 on
the drive N along Loch Lomond. It
doesn’t take all day though and is relatively close to Glasgow, so it’s a good choice
for a short day.
We parked at the idiosyncratic Drover’s Inn at
Inverarnan and followed the very welcome footpath alongside the A82 for 300m
before turning right and crossing the River Falloch towards Beinglas Farm. Here, the climbing starts - up a clear path
alongside the Ben Glas Burn which passes close to the impressive waterfalls
half-way up the slope.
Passing 300m, the slope eases and the path
continues (less clearly in places) alongside the burn almost as far as Lochan
Beinn Chabhair which comes into view quite late. The path then climbs NE up to the skyline reaching
it immediately E of Meall nan Tarmachan.
Here, the wind really hit us and it was quite a battle along the humps
and bumps of the ridge before we finally reached the summit cairn: Beinn Chabhair (933m; hill of the hawk).
We returned the same way, squelching through the
occasional bog with considerably less care and attention than on the way
up. That’s how it tends to go when
there’s an inn serving hot food just over the next rise!
Beinn
Dorain & Beinn Dothaidh
Beinn Dorain
Another glorious summer’s day, just right for
these 2 conspicuous Munros that sit conveniently beside the A82 and West
Highland Line and directly above the Bridge of Orchy Hotel.
Beinn an Dothaidh
The path (clear and obvious) starts on the far
side of the station underpass and climbs steadily up into Coire an Dothaidh to
the skyline bealach (744m) that separates the 2 hills. Warm sunshine and the natural sounds and
smells of summer made for an entertaining ascent that seemed to pass in no time
at all. With ever-increasing expansive
views, we headed S and followed the broad ridge over the subsidiary summits
before arriving at the mountain’s highest point which is an outstanding
viewpoint: Beinn Dorain (1076m; hill of
the streamlet).
The views ranged far and wide across the
southern Highlands to Mull in the west, Ben Nevis further north, the distant
Cairngorms in the NE and Schiehallion in the east. Mountains mountains everywhere!
Returning to the bealach past the odd lingering
snow patch, there just remained the very straightforward ascent of the grassy
slopes that lead to the central and highest peak of Beinn an Dothaidh (1004m; hill of scorching).
More great views from here - down into Coire
Achaladair and across Rannoch Moor and beyond to the serrated peaks of
Lochaber. Just time for a short sunbathe
before a rapid descent across the grass to the bealach and down the path to the
hotel and the all-too-rare rare opportunity for some al fresco dining!
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