Stay at home

[bigbertie]

I did these 2 hills last Thursday, in quite good weather (I had almost given up hope of decent weather, given the amount of rain in the last few weeks). I had stayed Wednesday night in "By The Way" bunkhouse at Tyndrum which I found on this site - I can recommend it.

I followed the Walk Highland route to Beinn a'Chochuill. On the way up there are great views of Cruachan, although there was cloud on the summits unfortunately.

From Beinn a'Chochuill summit there are more great views, including the slabs on Beinn Trilleachan and the remote hills north of Glen Kinglass. I continued along the ridge westwards to Beinn Eunaich, and had lunch on the summit (also in cloud). I had started early and it was not yet midday, so rather than descend the south ridge I decided to follow the North East ridge out to Meall Copagach (810m). This ridge has a more remote feeling to it, and allows you to look into Beinn Eunaich's impressive NE corrie.

Meall Copagach from unnamed top.

On the NE ridge there is a top at 880m unnamed on the map - does anyone know if it has a name? When I reached Meall Copagach I found a sheep stuck upside-down and turned it back over. I think I was just in time, as it stumbled off with some difficulty at first but recovered its composure after a few minutes! From the top I dropped down to the Lairig Dhoireann and turned south down the glen and then along the track back to the road. There is a path across the Lairig Dhoireann marked on the map but I didn't find much evidence of it until lower down.

From the track in Glen Strae you can look back up to get a great view of Beinn Mhic-Mhonaidh 796m (see below). I have added it to my "to do" list.

Beinn Mhic-Mhonaidh from Glen Strae

[Paul Webster]

Great photos - especially the last one - Beinn Mhic-Mhonaidh does look tempting. It looks like you did an excellent extension to the walk, and it means you didn't have to come down the unpleasantly steep path from Beinn Eunaich to the track.

[canisp]

It seems Thursday was the day to be out last week. Really like the reflection shot of Beinn Mhic Mhonaidh.

[bigbertie]

Unfortunately I can't see how to turn Beinn Mhic Monaidh into a circuit, rather than a "there & back" trip. I suppose one could make a 2-day trip & camp out, perhaps ending at Victoria Bridge? There are some "ancient villages" up Glen Strae but I doubt if there is much to see there. You can also exit to Glen Orchy I think, but that would need some special transport arrangement. And of course I have not done Beinn nan Aighenan....... hmm.

Sorry this is turning into a Mhic Monaidh thread!

Edit - and while on circuits, it also occurred to me on Chochuill that a good circuit would be Beinn a' Chochuill, Stob Diamh (Cruachan) and Beinn a Bhuiridh (a Corbett). I don't think this can be done often, as Cruachan and Chochuill/Eunaich are both such obvious ridges. So much to do.....

[canisp]

You can also exit to Glen Orchy I think

There is a good path from GR 243321 in Glen Orchy to a stile over the fence at GR 210336 at the edge of the forest, with a bridge around GR 232332. There’s a Graham Beinn Donachain at GR 198316 which could be included, to give a not quite out and back day.