Beinn Sgulaird - the mountain on the edge of the world

[mrssanta]

We had one more day and night of the Bank Holiday weekend left, and so far MWIS had been a little bit inaccurate with its forecast for hypothermia, we'd actually been quite hot.
We came down off Beinn Fionnlaidh at about 3.30pm and had a very enjoyable drive via Glencoe through the beautiful Argyll countryside to the foot of Beinn Sgulaird at Drumnavuic. The gardens are no longer open to the public but there were some great big diggers and rock-breaking machinery to admire in the layby where we parked and a little way up the track.

beinn Sgulaird.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

By the time we got our boots back on and set off it was a little after 4.30pm and still hot, clear and very little wind. Our intention was to climb up to near the first summit and camp for the night. Then in the morning to walk to the summit, retrieve our tent and come back down in time to get home to Yorkshire back to work on Tuesday
This is such a lovely hill, I think the combination of water and mountains cannot be beaten, and because it is the last munro for a while, the views over the Firth of Lorn and beyond are fantastic.
We met some folk at the car park who reassured us there were plenty of suitable campspots. As we went up the track we met a man coming down who looked a little overheated and tired - he admitted he had not had enough water and was quite exhausted. this prompted some Words over the amount of water we could carry as I had only brought a one litre bottle. Rudolph had a three litre bottle and was quite concerned we would run out. Had the weather stayed as hot he might well have been right!
It is a lovely walk up, through a beautiful meadow with a distinct path all the way.

Good path through the grass

looking up Glen Creran

our worries are over, a reliable water supply at about 550 metres

Rudolph having a snack and looking happy

Cruachan group over Loch Etive

Sgulaird summit looking quite a long way off

As we approached our proposed camp spot we realised the path looked like bypassing the best views so we went off-piste a bit, always worth a try. we found a spot perched on the edge of the hill at about NN039448 on a flat patch of moss between rocks. It was only just big enough and one of the pegs had to go in sideways into the moss, but it would do us.
We sat and ate our tea of blow-up pasta and instant custard, followed by tea and coffee and watched the sun gradually sinking over the horizon behind Morvern, with views to Mull, Lismore, Colonsay, Jura and even Islay far away (wave to Granny!)

How's that for the view from your sitting room?

The highlight of this trip was really the sunset we watched, so here follows a lot of pictures of it!

Panorama. I don't think Islay shows in this picture but it was definitely there!

After sunset we turned in and were soon asleep, but not for long; at about midnight the wind got up and was rattling away all night. In our wee summer tent with its mesh lining we were glad our sleeping bags have hoods! In the morning we awoke to a beautifully sunny day, but it was cold and very windy.

same view just after 7am

We were fully awake at about six and it was too draughty and chilly to sit about, so a quick bite to eat and away just after 7am. We had thought of leaving the tent to pack up later, but when we crawled our combined 18 stone out of it we could see that it might just not stay put especially since the pegs were not that securely placed, so we stashed the camping gear in a dip by a rock wrapped in an orange bivvy bag.
We actually set off in down jackets it was so chilly, but by the time we reached the first top were ready to shed these and had a most enjoyable walk over the three summits to the top and back. Although the going is a lot rougher past the first top with some scrambly bits up and down, it was never difficult and the views in every direction were superb.

we just came down this scrambly bit.

Rudolph on the summit with view to the Buaichailles

and me looking towards Cruachan

lochan just near the summit

on leaving the camping gear stash, we were both quite sure where it was, but when we returned, all the rocks looked the same! both of us were about 15 metres out in our estimation and we could not see it at all! Fortunately I had remembered to take a fix on the GPS and there it was, hiding! By this time we were glad of a brew, but even hiding in the shade of a rock, we had difficulty getting the stoves lit.
We retraced our steps back down the path, following the ridge all the way. The wind was freshening as we went and whistled round the side of the hill so that we had some difficulty keeping our feet on the reascent past the 488m top and down the other side. But after too short a time we were back to the road and our adventure was over till the next time.

Lochan in the dip at 450 metres

and in the other direction with sunny sparkles

it looks like you could just push it into the loch - actually at this point we could barely stand up!

However I never really feel my holiday is over until I get within view of Roseberry Topping! And of course I am happy to report that the route from Glen Creran goes via Tyndrum and our favourite food (and tea) establishment!

[Silverhill]

Another classic mrssanta and rudolph trip with a wild camp! You picked a great spot for the tent. That view towards Mull is just fantastic. I hope it won’t be too long before you are back in the hills?

[Johnny Corbett]

Another classic mrssanta and rudolph trip with a wild camp! You picked a great spot for the tent. That view towards Mull is just fantastic. I hope it won’t be too long before you are back in the hills?

I agree, it's great reading about your family expeditions on the hills. Look forward to you all returning

[Fife Flyer]

Great report enjoyed reading that, especially as that hill is very near the top of my list

Loved the sunset photo's and the camp spot doesn't get much better than that - view wise

Thanks for posting

[gammy leg walker]

This mountain needs to be climbed on a sunny day to do it justice & you certainly have done it justice with your pictures,thanks for posting

[jonny616]

pooh lovely. One of my fav hills

[mrssanta]

Another classic mrssanta and rudolph trip with a wild camp! You picked a great spot for the tent. That view towards Mull is just fantastic. I hope it won’t be too long before you are back in the hills?

I agree, it's great reading about your family expeditions on the hills. Look forward to you all returning

Thanks both.
We are up North at half term but activities will depend on the weather forecast - we'll be bringing the gear!

Great report enjoyed reading that, especially as that hill is very near the top of my list

Loved the sunset photo's and the camp spot doesn't get much better than that - view wise

Thanks for posting

Keep it for a clear day, it's well worth it.

This mountain needs to be climbed on a sunny day to do it justice & you certainly have done it justice with your pictures,thanks for posting

Thanks glad you enjoyed them. That's a hill I could go back to.

[Huff_n_Puff]

Great photos and what a superb end to your holiday. I'd like to copy the high camp, but not in the wind The Etive hills must wait for another year but thanks for giving me food for thought about how we do them - they aren't really feasible on a day trip from the Black Isle

Enjoy Roseberry Topping - grew up not far from there.

[mrssanta]

Great photos and what a superb end to your holiday. I'd like to copy the high camp, but not in the wind The Etive hills must wait for another year but thanks for giving me food for thought about how we do them - they aren't really feasible on a day trip from the Black Isle

Enjoy Roseberry Topping - grew up not far from there.

Thanks
Roseberry Topping is a great hill for keeping fit on. much better than a gym. From our house, it's 30 minutes to the top on a good day (ie without a pack and if you don't meet anyone to chat to!)