My new favourite mountain ;) - exploring Applecross

[wilkiemurray]

Video :

A long weekend and the weather had been glorious, so I packed my gear (and kayak) and headed for the northwest highlands! I was due to be meeting up with Gerry to tackle Slioch via Kayak on the Monday so had the Corbett book out looking for some hills I had yet to climb. Immediately I was drawn to my remaining Applecross Hill – Bheinn Bhan….

I had always fancied climbing here and the hill looked good and the weather superb so I decided it was time to get this one in the bag! Unlike the other Corbett in Applecross , I decided not to cheat (joke!!) and started at sea level and the start of the famous Bealach na Ba road. Last time I had driven to 2000 feet and easily bagged Sgurr a’ Chaorachain (my wife even accompanied me some of the way on that trip!!). However starting 2000 foot further down the mountain meant today was going to be a tad more challenging! The weather was perfect or hiking – it was sunny, a little breeze and the temperature was reading about 14 degrees at sea level – not too warm (unlike my trip here the following week with Thomas Heaton)!

I set off along the well-constructed stalkers path and after a few kilometres soon branched off and started to head uphill headed for the small lochan. The views to this point were good with the Torridon hills starting to show themselves. However as I reached the lochan the true grandeur of this mountain revealed itself! Similar to Ben Nevis , one side of this hill slopes gently down to sea level, whilst its eastern side holds some of the most dramatic scenery in Scotland! I was blown away by the views and as I skirted the lochan I found a cracking private beach!! I was starting to hatch a plan for my adventure the following week !

Mountain Beach by Scotland's Mountains, on Flickr

Mountain Lochan by Scotland's Mountains, on Flickr

Beinn Bhan by Scotland's Mountains, on Flickr

From the lochan, I headed into the Corrie and to be honest I couldn’t see a weakness to get up the steep headwalls! However I kept the faith and soon started up a steep grass slope which eventually took me to the mountains magnificent plateaux. Some snow still held onto the Corrie rim and care was required to get past this, a slip here would have serious implications!

If I thought the views of the eastern cliffs were good, I was amazed to find the views from the plateaux were even better! The high mountains of the NW highlands lay before me and the crowning glory lay to my south west with the Isle of Skye and other islands of the inner Hebrides lying before me. The sun sparkled on The Minch and I was in heaven!!!

The Cuillin Ridge on Skye by Scotland's Mountains, on Flickr

Scrambly Ridge on Applecross by Scotland's Mountains, on Flickr

The breeze was lovely and I sat at the summit for a good while enjoying the views. Not wanting to leave , I eventually dragged myself away from the summit, but the walk back was just as good as the walk in. The views down the south of the hill were just as stunning!

Eventually I got back to the car and immediately started on my next adventure – The Bealach na Ba Road……. And a lovely picnic spot for some evening Tea 

Isle of Skye from Applecross by Scotland's Mountains, on Flickr

Skye Cairns by Scotland's Mountains, on Flickr

Note – the following week was glorious, and a bank holiday weekend. I chose this hill to go on a three day wild camping adventure with Thomas Heaton. If I was blown away by this mountain on this trip, it was about to get eclipsed a week later!

[Sgurr]

Some of your fantastic trade mark photos there. Never did that way, as went with 2 left boots and when matched up, only had time from a Bealach nam Ba ascent (but our friend went back and did it the "proper" way with his partner another year,).

[rockhopper]

That looked good - great photos as ever.
Yet to get to the corbetts here but suspect I'll take the easier way out - cheers

[gld73]

I had a great couple of days in Applecross in April, and was really impressed with Beinn Bhan too - easily as much ascent as most munros, but done by far fewer people just because it's not a munro! Cracking views in every direction from the top. I did Beinn Bhan on day 1, then drove over the Bealach na Ba and down to Toscaig to do the walk to Uags bothy for my overnight stay; day 2 was walking back to the car, driving back over the Bealach na Ba, stopping to go up Sgurr a’ Chaorachain from the high car park, then heading back home. 2 corbetts and a bothy stay, a nice couple of days away

My photos aren't up to your standards though!!

[spiderwebb]

Simply stunning

[wilkiemurray]

Some of your fantastic trade mark photos there. Never did that way, as went with 2 left boots and when matched up, only had time from a Bealach nam Ba ascent (but our friend went back and did it the "proper" way with his partner another year,).

Thanks Sgurr - sounds an interesting hike with 2 left boots on! Wonderful place up there , must get back again soon:)

ATB

Murray

[wilkiemurray]

That looked good - great photos as ever.
Yet to get to the corbetts here but suspect I'll take the easier way out - cheers

they are well wort keeping for good weather days - the views are stunning

ATB

Murray

[wilkiemurray]

I had a great couple of days in Applecross in April, and was really impressed with Beinn Bhan too - easily as much ascent as most munros, but done by far fewer people just because it's not a munro! Cracking views in every direction from the top. I did Beinn Bhan on day 1, then drove over the Bealach na Ba and down to Toscaig to do the walk to Uags bothy for my overnight stay; day 2 was walking back to the car, driving back over the Bealach na Ba, stopping to go up Sgurr a’ Chaorachain from the high car park, then heading back home. 2 corbetts and a bothy stay, a nice couple of days away

My photos aren't up to your standards though!!

indeed - not bad for a few days away - sounds like fun

[wilkiemurray]

Simply stunning

it was - I was blown away by this place - an absolutely beautiful mountain

[Alteknacker]

Wonderful! I was completely unaware of this gem, and it's now in the premier division of my to do list!

BTW I was in the Brecon Beacons last week and bumped into a couple of guys who, like me, are keen Steaming Boots videos aficionados! Your fame is spreading .

[weaselmaster]

That first picture is stunning. I've seen Bhan from a number of perspectives but not from the beach. It's Martin Moran's favourite mountain too. Some grand climbs up the east side I believe

[Auld Bagger]

Just back from walking Beinn Bhan at the weekend (3rd June 2023). I walked this in a clockwise direction following walkhighlands route. Hats off to you for ascending that grass slope. That was tough enough going down for the old joints never mind ascending it. Your description of it being like Nevis is spot on.