Ben Resipol
ARDNAMURCHAN AND THE ROAD TO THE ISLES
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1. Park on the A861 opposite the entrance to the Resipole gallery; there is space here for about three cars just west of the bridge. Ben Resipol is not in view from here – nor until much later in the walk – the photo shows the hill from the shoreside west of Salen. Begin the walk by following the road up to the gallery; pass to the left of this and continue on the track over the bridge. On the far side, turn left and follow the track through the upper part of the caravan site. Don't cross the bridge back over to the west side of the stream, but continue ahead beyond the caravan site, following the track towards a barn. Before reaching the barn, go through a gate on the right hand side. The path is very faint at first, but slant left uphill passing above the barn. The path soon improves and becomes easier to followl keep on the left side close to the fence; when another fence bars the route this is crossed via a stile.
Photo ©Richard Webb, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
2. The path continues close to the stream, through beautiful oak woodlands. The oaks give way to birches as the walk progresses. At a series of water butts and filters, the path swings sharp right to climb the slope, before swinging back left, now continuing above the stream with glimpses down to it through the trees. The narrow path continues cutting across these steep slopes for some distance; climbing mostly but also descending a little at times. At a tiny cairn, a larger path which crosses the hillside a little higher is joined. This was until recently the main route to Ben Resipol, but its start from the A861 has been obstructed by the building of a new house. Continue on this much wider path, which soon crosses a small stream before passing through more birchwoods.
3. Soon the path crosses a more open area. The going is very boggy; pass through a gap in a fence. Beyond this, where the way is slightly indistinct, take the left option, with more birchwoods closer to the stream. Soon the ground ahead becomes much steeper and barer; the stream flows down through a ravine and the path climbs the open hillside to the right of this. It cuts across the slope above some small waterfalls. Above this the going levels off once more, and there follows a flat, boggy section.
4. The ridges of Ben Resipol are now in view at last; the path (such as it is) climbs the Clac Garbh valley between the westernmost hillock and the rocky peak of Ben Resipol itself. The path fades as height is gained and the going becomes a little tougher, but the views back down Loch Sunart improve all the time. Continue right to the top of the Clac Garbh where the stream finally peters out in a bog – more direct routes towards Ben Resipol are likely to involve much rock-scrambling. From this point, it is easy to head southwards, aiming for the summit ridge to the east of the summit itself. The slope is no steeper or rockier than the rest of the ascent. Once on the well-defined summit ridge, turn right.
5. The ridge is rocky but the summit should only be a short distance along it. Immediately before the summit the route is blocked by a line of easy crags; these can be circumvented to the right. Beyond is the huge cairn at 845 metres, making Ben Resipol a Corbett, and next to it is the stunted remains of a former trig point, the top half of which is lying by the cairn. The views are absolutely stunning; a long section of Loch Shiel can be seen, then a wide sweep of sea encircles the whole of the Ardnamurchan peninsula. Loch Sunart looks particularly fine, whilst further out to sea are the islands; in good weather you can see Mull, Coll, Muck, Rum and Eigg. When we ascended to take photos for this page, the clouds rolled in – so we wish you better luck. The return is best made the same way.
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