free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
Having had a brilliant time on Skye, I had taken a slow drive back over the bridge and up to Torridon via the lovely little seaside village of Plockton. I was now enjoying the luxury of my tent rather than the boot of car, the Torridon campsite was surprisingly quiet, and the midges couldn’t take the heat. Life was good!
Early the next morning I was off to climb a hill I’ve looked at many many times, but had not got round to climbing, Ben Damh. It fair looms over Torridon from the other side of the loch, even more so when the cloud and rain are down. However, today was still and bright without a cloud in the sky.
P6092896 by
cliveg004, on Flickr
The view in the opposite direction is not bad either!
P6072703b by
cliveg004, on Flickr
The starting point is not obvious, but is clear when you know where to find it. Just uphill from the Torridon Hotel is a bridge over the Allt Coire Roill. About a 100 yards further uphill you will find the start of a very well-constructed path. There are a couple of parking spots by the bridge, but they don’t seem to mind you parking by the Torridon Hotel bar either.
The path is very smooth and clear, and the first section winds its way gently through delightful native woodland along-side the Allt Coire Roill. Soon after a glimpse of a fine waterfall, the woodland thins out and the path splits by a lovely Scots Pine. The views from this point are wonderful.
P6072706b by
cliveg004, on Flickr
Take the right-hand fork and follow the excellent path steadily uphill. The views of Ben Damh are extensive, it becoming clear that the mountain is a quite a lengthy ridge.
P6072710 by
cliveg004, on Flickr
The path becomes a little rougher as it climbs up into Toll Ban, steepening briefly before reaching the obvious col approximately a third of the way along the ridge. The summit is still some distance to the south east from here and the Coire Lair Munros and Maol Chean-Dearg loom large, but I would recommend a detour before going any further.
P6072736 by
cliveg004, on Flickr
Instead of heading left at the col, go right and follow the ridge to the North West over the minor top of Meall Gorm and onto the final top of Sgurr na Bana Mhoraire. The views across Loch Torridon to Ben Alligin are exceptional:-
P6072745 by
cliveg004, on Flickr
Further to the right, Liathach stands proud:-
P6072712 by
cliveg004, on Flickr
The whole panorama is breath-taking.
Torridon panorama by
cliveg004, on Flickr
As I return to the col it fleetingly looks like an inversion could form, but I’m not in luck today.
Before you reach the col, don’t miss the opportunity to take a peek over the right hand edge of the ridge at Meall Gorm. There are some nice little sandstone towers, and the views across Loch Damh towards the hills of Applecross.
P6072751 by
cliveg004, on Flickr
From the col the clear path takes you steadily and easily higher, bypassing the top of Creagan Dubh Toll nam Biast, and on into a white boulder field. Ben Damh, like its bigger neighbours across the valley, is Sandstone with a Quartzite topping. The path disappears amongst the boulders but up ahead a few strategically placed cairns show the way onto the next top of Spidean Toll nam Biast.
Up ahead lies the summit of Ben Damh.
P6072753 by
cliveg004, on Flickr
The ridge dips slightly and narrows, crossing an interesting Quartzite pavement.
P6072774 by
cliveg004, on Flickr
The way to the top from here is straight-forward and good walking.
P6072769 by
cliveg004, on Flickr
The summit cairn is perched high on a quartzite lump high above the deep pass of Drochaid Coire Roill, and the views are expansive to say the least. Torridon to the north, Maol Cheann Dearg and An Ruadh Stac to the south East. There are few better view points, but it was a little misty today…
Fortunately on the return leg, a little further down visibility was restored and so were the views.
Ben Damh by
cliveg004, on Flickr
On the way back down I would recommend taking in the top that was bypassed on the way up, the views from here are also terrific, both across the valley to the Torridon Munros;
P6072794 by
cliveg004, on Flickr
And also back along the Ben Damh ridge to the end top of Sgurr na Bana Mhoraire.
P6072789 by
cliveg004, on Flickr
Before dropping down off the ridge to start the descent, linger a while longer to take in the outstanding view
Torridon pano 2 by
cliveg004, on Flickr
By the time I had reached that tree at the path junction, the light had changed completely, but the views across to Liathach had to be caught on camera.
P6072800 by
cliveg004, on Flickr
From there it is a very pleasant stroll back through the woods,
P6072801 by
cliveg004, on Flickr
arriving back at the starting point in perfect time for a refreshing lunchtime pint in the Torridon bar – I’m glad to say they keep a very decent pint there!
That left the afternoon free for lazing about on the seashore by the village of Torridon, watching the Oystercatchers and other seabirds, with the sea almost like a millpond.
P6072805 by
cliveg004, on Flickr
Whilst exploring I found the Outdoor church / meeting place for the village, lovely on a day like today, but not so sure under cloudy skies with the midges flying!
P6072803 by
cliveg004, on Flickr
Later that evening I was settling down to my camping Haute Cuisine of tinned mince with tinned peas and tinned potatoes (and a glass of Malbec that was cheeky to the point of impudence), and made the fatal mistake of reading the labels of the tins. I was taken by the mince which had a label saying Eat Well and Do Good, along the lines of Keep Calm and Carry On. It said that the proceeds go to military charities – fine so far – but then in the small print was ‘Produce of Romania’. No jokes about ‘No added Shergar’ please…..
And so to bed, another fine day on this so far outstanding trip.
