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After a short early Saturday morning shift at work I decided to take advantage of the good weather and head out in the afternoon to take in a couple of Munros, and the two at Glencoe Ski Centre, Meall a’ Bhùiridh and Creise, seemed like a good choice.
Setting off from the ski centre car park the climb alongside the ski lift is quite steep to begin with but the views are good looking back across the vast expanse of Rannoch Moor.
- Buachaille Etive Mòr from the car park.
- Looking down to the ski centre and across Rannoch Moor.
The ascent starts to level off at the top of the ski lift and the first sighting of Meall a’ Bhùiridh summit appears.
- Meall a’ Bhùiridh.
I saw a few people heading up to a minor summit marked as Creag Dhubh on the OS map, and there were others heading down from the Munro. As I made my way across the bealach with its various paths/bike tracks I was greeted with a superb view of Stob Dearg behind the flanks of Creise, certainly a different angle from the usual you see down at the main road.
- Stob Dearg making an appearance behind the flanks of Creise.
Heading up the final stage of ascent to the first summit the views behind really opened up, with Ben Nevis standing out along with the CMD Arête and Càrn Mòr Dearg easily seen, and at one point all ten of the Mamores Munros were visible. I could pick out the Ring of Steall which I had done the previous weekend.
- Great views down Glencoe, with the Mamores and the Nevis range in the distance.
- Zooming in on the Mamores and Ben Nevis.
It’s a rocky scree finish to the climb up the first Munro, and when you eventually reach the summit of Meall a’ Bhùiridh the views are magnificent. You can see countless Munros and other hills in all directions, making the views from this particular Munro one of the best there is in my humble opinion.
- Looking toward the south from the first summit. You can see the route to Creise on the right.
- Summit cairn and looking north.
- Creise summit just right of centre.
After enjoying the views I made my way across to Creise. There’s a decent path down to the bealach before beginning the steep ascent to Creise. There was a bit of scrambling involved which I always enjoy before reaching the flat bouldered ridge, with more great views to the west. Looking back Meall a’ Bhùiridh looks so different compared to the view from the ski centre.
- Looking back at Meall a’ Bhùiridh.
- Looking west.
I reached the summit of Creise at about 6pm and once again the views were superb.
- Buachaille Etive Mòr from Creise summit.
- Glen Etive.
- Brilliant view towards the south.
- Looking back along the ridge.
The return route is back the way I came, the evening was superb and peaceful with just enough of a breeze to keep the midges away and I was glad I made the decision to do this route. The conditions had been perfect all afternoon, warm but not too warm and memorable views that make this walk a must in my opinion as long as the weather is good.
- Another look at the view across Glencoe in the evening.