Sgor na h-Ulaidh and Beinn Fhionnlaidh

[Kenny Monaghan]

Alex, Johnny and I set out for Glen Etive to do Sgor na h-Ulaidh and Beinn Fhionnlaidh in the one trip to save us having to drive round to Beinn Fhionnlaidh on another weekend. When we arrived in Glen Etive at the start point the parking area was full so we had to go back down the road a bit to get parked then walk back up to the start of the route. We headed through the forest track to Sgor na h-Ulaidh, it looked like every hill walkers dream, brilliant weather conditions, sun out, clear views and no wind. The route was a bit boggy after the forest track but absolutely fine for walking. Both hills although still holding on to some snow were fine for walking, Beinn Fhionnlaidh did have some snow that had to be crossed nearer the summit but it was soft enough to walk on comfortably. When we left Sgor na h-Ulaidh and headed down into the valley it was a full 2000 feet descent to make our way over to Beinn Fhionnlaidh. We did have a gpx file downloaded from Walkhighlands which we followed most of the way round to the path but we decided to head straight up the hill rather than walk round to the path, it was steep but no issues at all with climbing, (we probably wouldn't have done it if there was still snow on it due to how steep it was). When we came back down Beinn Fhionnlaidh heading for the car there's an option to continue along the forest track or take to the right to follow the road back to the start make sure you go to the right, we ended up going through the forestry, I assume when the gps file was recorded there was a path through the trees but there isn't now. When you get through the trees there is a path through some rhododendrons but it would have been a lot easier to follow the road round. It was a great walk in great conditions with the added bonus of some Ptarmigans, newts, frogs galore and wheatears.