Beinn Maol Chaluim

[Glencoe Keith]

I had a fantastic days hillwalking on Beinn Maol Chaluim a few weeks back, just me, Fly and an Eagle to keep us company!

We started off as per the route description above Loch Urr, worth noting that the cattle grids marked on my map are no longer there. The path starts tacking diagonally up the hill just before you enter the 2nd lot of forestry and you can park where the cattle grid has been removed.

It's rough going for most of the way, especially as you hit a boggy/peat hag area before the pull up to the cliffs before the summit ridge. There are fantastic views back into Glen Etive for most of the way up, and tremendous views from the top too. I was surprised to see the Pap of Glencoe peeping at me as I hit the summit - I live just along from it. Weather wise we had it all - sun, rain, blue skies, cloud and a blizzard. Fantastic - exactly what I needed to reinvogarate me!

It's worth keeping track of your progress on the map at all times - I got slightly disorientated on the descent as the ridge is very wide and indistinct.

I mentioned the eagle up above - it was around for quite a lot of our ascent and flew quite close overhead at times - stunning. I thought he was eyeing me up for a while but both me and Fly are probably a bit chubby!

Keith