Baosbheinn near Gairloch
GAIRLOCH AND POOLEWE
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1. Park in the small car park beside the green barn a few hundred metres east of Loch Bad an Sgalaig. The walk begins on the track opposite, with a large wooden sign proclaiming 'Loch Bad an Sgalaig pinewood'. Leaflets for local trails can be picked up from the wooden shelter. The track crosses the bridge across the outflow of the reedy Am Feur-loch and ascends gently at first; there is a distant view of the northern buttresses of Baosbheinn.
2. The track passes through a gate in the deer fence and enters the Bad na Sgalag native pinewood. Over a million native trees have been planted by the estate over an area of several square miles; at the present time the trees are small and need protection from overgrazing by deer, but in time it is hoped the forest will regenerate enough to allow removal of the fence. The track gains height slowly, with views over to Lochan a Chleirich on the left and the mountain fortress of Slioch in the distance. Continue on the track, ignoring the blue waymarker posts leading off right, to climb over a low pass. A yellow waymarked route goes off here to the right, and further on a black waymarked route also goes off right – ignore these and keep on the main track.
3. The track gives views of the isolated peak of Beinn an Eoin before reaching a giant boulder known as the 'Grouse stone'. This rock was where shooting parties used to leave their bag of birds; a ghillie from Gairloch would then come up to the rock each day to collect them. Just beyond the stone the track goes though a gate in the deer fence and the pinewood project area is left behind – empty moorland stretches ahead. The track climbs round to the right of the hillock of Meall Lochan na Geala before descending slightly and crossing the Abhainn Loch na h-Oidhche using stepping-stones. This is usually easy but the crossing can be dangerous if the stream is in spate. Beyond the track climbs gently once more before a first glimpse of Loch na h-Oidche is seen ahead, ringed by great mountains. Beinn an Eoin is on the left, and Beinn Dearg closes the view at the head of the loch, whilst our objective of Baosbheinn is on the right.
4. Before reaching the loch fork right, using a faint vehicle track at first before heading across the moor to reach the outflow of the loch. The river can usually be crossed a couple of hundred metres downstream from the loch itself, where there are the remains of a wooden bridge. The crossing can be done with dry feet using the stones after a spell of dry weather, but may require a wade or become dangerous in spate. Beyond, head uphill across the moor, keeping close to the Allt an Reidh-choire, the stream issuing from An Reidh-choire, which begins to climb steeply further on. Once the steep lower shoulder of the northeast ridge of Sgorr Dubh has been outflanked, bear left onto the top of the shoulder, and follow the grassy ridge up towards Baosbheinn. There are great views behind over the loch to Loch Maree and distant An Teallach, and of Beinn Eighe and its Triple Buttress.
5. The ridge rises in a rocky tower near the top, but this is easily outflanked on a gentle grassy path by heading off right to join the main north ridge before turning back left to reach Sgorr Dubh. This peak is the highest of Baosbheinn's summits at 875 metres, making it a Corbett. The cairn is set in the centre of the flat grassy summit area, and a walk round the rim of this area is needed to get the best views. There can be few finer viewpoints than this on a clear day. The Torridon peaks are seen from an unusual angle, but all look magnificent, whilst the view west and north takes in a huge sweep of the sea with Lochs Gairloch and Poolewe prominent, and scores of islands from Skye and the Outer Hebrides to the Summer Isles in the north.
6. The easiest and quickest return is to retrace the route of ascent; however it is more enjoyable to make a traverse of the mountain. Head southeast down a steep grassy slope at first, which narrows to become a rockier ridge with a steep drop into the corrie on the north side. The ridge is broken by some sandstone terraces, but these are easily negotiated or avoided to the right, and the bealach is soon reached. From here, head east directly up the stony slopes to reach the southeastern summit, with equally fine views.
7. Head south along a gentle ridge which then narrows and descends more steeply, curving round to the left. To reach the next bealach and the peak of Ceann Beag you leave the ridge near the bottom, descending the grassy slope on the left – this area could be confusing in mist as the ridge line engs in a crag just west of the bealach. From the bealach, the minor peak of Ceann Beag looks intimidating, but the ascent proves straightforward though steep towards the top; there is a path through the crags. This summit has grand views of Beinn Alligin and Beinn Dearg. Continue along the ridge for about half a kilometre before making a beeline descent to the head of Loch na h-Oidhche.
8. The ground round the head of the loch is boggy but a way can be threaded between the small lochans; a short ascent beyond leads to the track near the private fishing and stalking cottage of Poca Buidhe. Turn left along the track from here, with good views of Baosbheinn across the loch. Once past the loch continue on the track, retracing your outward route to return to the car park.
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Hotels in Gairloch and Poolewe
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Campsites in Torridon and Gairloch region
