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Beinn a’ Ghlo, hill of the veil or mist. A very apt name for this mysterious hill which only reveals its beauty to those climbing it. Some years ago I walked from Blair Atholl via Spittal of Glenshee, Inverey, Lairig an Laoigh to Glenmore and the route took me past Beinn a’ Ghlo. The map showed the abundance of ridges and corries, but from the path along the Allt Coire Lagain, not much was visible of this.
Likewise today, from the car park near Loch Moraig. The path scarring Carn Liath’s SW ridge was obvious, but otherwise there was no hint or promise of what was to follow.
- Glen Fender and Monzie looking lovely
The walk from the car to the little hut is straightforward on the track.
- Leaving the track here
From the hut extra mileage was made in an attempt to dodge wet and boggy patches. But where the path meets a low wall things improved.
The ascent started off on gentle slopes and then gradually got steeper. Looking back at the views I spotted two walkers and a female runner lower down.
- Halfway views
The runner overtook me at the steepest section. That’s a different level of fitness, respect! The path is very eroded, but thanks to the handy zigzags progress was pretty good and soon I was on the summit.
- Summit Carn Liath
Wow what a gorgeous mountain!

Those ridges! I couldn’t wait to get stuck in.
- Curving ridges...
- ...sweeping flanks
I sheltered behind the cairn for a break and enjoyed the views at my leisure.
- Ben Vuirich
- Carn a' Chlamain
The walk to Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain was fantastic, the perspectives changing with every twist in the ridge.
- Ridge up Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain
Once on the summit the views back and towards what was still to come were great. Mmmm, those curving ridges and sweeping flanks.
- Summit Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain
- Looking back towards Carn Liath
- Airgiod Bheinn
- Carn nan Gabhar emerging from the mist
I followed the ridge down to the 1000m bealach and from there descended to Bealach an Fhioda as the slopes were less steep. From the bealach a clear path traverses east towards Carn nan Gabhar. Once on the ridge easy slopes lead to a cairn, a bit further on a trig point and then finally the summit. The going was quite rough on the stony summit plateau. The wind had picked up and blew me off balance a few times. But the obstacle course was completed without accidents and luckily the summit cairn was a perfect wind shelter and view point.
- Summit Carn nan Gabhar
- View towards Carn an Righ and Beinn Iutharn Mhor
But this wasn’t the end of the trip, there was still the south top Airgiod Bheinn (silver hill), which I had to climb for obvious reasons!

And as a bonus, there would be more views of the other Beinn a’ Ghlo hills. Mmmmm! The short diversion required hardly any effort on the gentle slopes, and the views were well worth it.
- Airgiod Bheinn and Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain
- On the silver hill looking back towards Carn nan Gabhar
- Carn Liath
- Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain
Having delayed the descent for as long as possible it was now inevitable. What a shame to have to go. So down to Bealach an Fhiodha and from there along the east side of the Allt Bealach an Fhiodha on a good path.
- Descent along the Allt Bealach an Fhiodha
Sadly this deteriorated rapidly lower down. After crossing the stream it got even worse. A true bogfest. I’ll leave it at that! Past the worst of the bogs was this interesting looking rock.
- Vanilla chocolate ripple rock
Once on the track everything was lovely again with green pastures, sheep and cows. These were a very effective distraction from the tired legs and made for a pleasant walk back to the car.
- Lovely pastures
- Loch Moraig
It promised to be a good evening for walking. Just as well, because my day hadn’t finished yet after Beinn a’ Ghlo.
