Beinn Dorain & Beinn an Dothaidh, Bridge of Orchy

[bio-man]

I would count these Munros as among my favourite hills. Four treks to Dorain and a couple of times at the summit of Dothaidh. I've approached the bealach from the Auch Gleann using the track from Auch Farm and have varied the approach from Coire an Dothaidh, peeling off to the right side of the corrie gives a steeper access with excellent scrambling. As mentioned, the views in summer are spectacular and the going is fairly straightforward, but in winter there is a transformation. I think that there is a high rate of ascent for distance covered so at either time of year, you really put in a bit of effort. Although the route to Dorain mentions the south approach, I found descending that way in snow and ice very tricky (esp on descent) and prefer further round a bit cutting to the left of the small lochan and to the right of the stream. Forgot to add, once in the corrie, great care should be taken on the approach to the bealach, when there is any ice around. I can confirm the navigation is tricky in mist especially when you can't see 10 feet in front of you!! On that occasion, I was going solo and hadn't seen anyone and there was no sounds at all. When there was no mist before, I couldn't get a reception on my phone, on this occasion I did!! My son texted me to ask if I was at the top yet?? I had a South Park ringtone at the time and nearly had a heart attack!! Once at the false summit it's an easy trek south to the cairn. I met a guy here once who was running!! and was then off to complete the other 3 before heading back to Bridge of Orchy!!!
Returning to the bealach, you can see a path running NNE, for me, thats your bearing throughout, the middle top being the true summit. Be careful in mist though, as there are major crags just further north and east of the summit.
I've always taken the train to these hills. The sleeper up in the morning returning on the afternoon train, gives time for one Munro. The evening train is needed for both. Missed the afternoon train once and had a great afternoon the the B of O hotel!!!
No photos as all lost on a major computer malfunction!!! Son's fault!!

[bigbertie]

Fascinating - I've never really imagined anyone having a special attraction to these 2 hills. However, thinking about it, I did meet a bloke at B of O hotel at breakfast the morning after Burns Night 2006 who liked using the train to do these hills and also stuff around Corrour (probably not you - he was very young!). I also like using the train for hill trips because it gives me a greater feeling of freedom not having a car, and means you can more easily do multi-day trips across areas instead of circular routes. Trains are good for Rannoch / Dalwhinnie / Corrour / Fort W stuff and also Cairngorms (eg Aviemore to Blair Atholl) & StrathCarron etc. I live in Northumberland so prefer East Coast line because connections via Glasgow often involve long waits. Are you Glasgow based?

PS can't help with the photos - I did them in the 1970s in dense cloud.

[bio-man]

I'm Dumbarton-based so have great access car and train.....as you mentioned Blair Atholl, I walked out of there last week. First time...went up Glen Tilt to Forest Lodge, stunning. Was doing a recce of Beinn a'Ghlo and attempting it at end of May. Really impressed with B.A. and will use it often. Train from Glasgow arrived at 0900. Recommend Bothy bar of the Atholl Arms for a oint before train!!

[bio-man]

I moved up from London in 2003 having worked there for 20 years. In July, I was at the summit of Beinn Dorain in excellent weather and only met one person. He worked in London, was from Dundee and took my place in my team when I moved !!! Spooky!!