walkhighlands

Share your personal walking route experiences in Scotland, and comment on other peoples' reports.
Warning Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. Summer routes may not be viable or appropriate in winter. See winter information on our skills and safety pages for more information.

An Isle of Harris Gem - Beinn Dhubh

An Isle of Harris Gem - Beinn Dhubh


Postby Anne C » Sat Dec 23, 2017 11:36 pm

Route description: Beinn Dhubh, Losgaintir

Sub 2000' hills included on this walk: Beinn Dhubh (Harris)

Date walked: 07/11/2017

Time taken: 4 hours

Distance: 8 km

Ascent: 506m

10 people think this report is great.
Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).

ImageP1330138.jpg by scotlandmac, on Flickr

I love Harris. It has to be one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen anywhere in the world. This summer, I was lucky enough to visit a couple of destinations which had been on my bucket list for years – Iceland and Norway including Lofoten. Yet I came back from those trips thinking that , for me, the Western Highlands of Scotland and the Hebrides still win hands down in the wow and beauty stakes.

ImageDSC_8344.jpg by scotlandmac, on Flickr

Beinn Dhubh - pronounced Ben Ghoo - is not a high hill at 506m, but it’s a beautiful mountain, very shapely when seen from Luskentyre beach.It sweeps straight up from the creamy sands and turquoise ocean directly opposite the impressive mountains of North Harris. The whole massif is called Beinn Luskentyre with Dhubh being the highest top.

ImageP1250126.jpg by scotlandmac, on Flickr

I’ve read that its summit is considered by some to be Harris’s finest viewpoint and even the understated SMC Guide commented on its 'unsurpassed' views. Unfortunately on our only outing on the hill a few years ago, the forecasters had been unsurpassed in getting it totally wrong (nothing new there :( ) and the promised 'clearing' low cloud and mist had stayed put!

Ever since, getting a good clear day to enjoy this hill had been worrying me like a loose tooth.Mid-way through a November week on Harris this year, a weather window looked likely mid week and our Beinn Dhubh attempt Mark 2 beckoned.

So at 8.15am on our second last day on the island, after downing multiple mugs of tea, off we set along Luskentyre's deserted, single track road hoping to enjoy better luck and see the hill at its best.It was a glorious morning for it, so far anyway.

ImageDSC_2420.jpg by scotlandmac, on Flickr

We were staying in Atlantic Shore Cottage, overlooking the famous Luskentyre sands and perfectly placed for a quick hike up the hill.Our route was also described by the SMC Guide as giving the 'easiest' ascent of its tussocky, wild slopes - another plus point in my book!

However, it's not always easy to get access to the hill from here, given the heavily crofted landscape. Barbed wire fences rule and it took us a good wee while to finally spy a gate that led across sheep cropped grass which didn't look 'private' in any way.It was almost right beside the house of one of Harris's famous residents, Donald John, who weaves Harris tweed in a tiny shed just off the road. It's not unusual to hear the clack- clack of the loom as he works.

No clacking today though but even if there had been, it was the North Harris hills that drew my attention.

ImageDSC_8261.jpg by scotlandmac, on Flickr

I find them absolutely stunning. Big shapely mountains of tawny , dusky moorland and pink rock rearing out of a turquoise sea fringed by creamy white sands.

ImageP1330437.jpg by scotlandmac, on Flickr

Sands that would make the Caribbean flush in shame :)

ImageP1250212.jpg by scotlandmac, on Flickr

Next 'obstacle' was a substantial drytane dyke wall which runs the length of Luskentyre but our route took us neatly to a gate, avoiding the need of a clamber.Now, the rough walking really began.

ImageP1330516.jpg by scotlandmac, on Flickr

I had my eye on a line that I thought would allow us to avoid the steep, rocky route we took last time and managed to convince my husband Chris to give it a go, despite his doubtful looks. In fact, this ‘easier’ line soon became a mix of bog, reeds, rocks and more bog! :roll:

For the next 80 minutes of uphill slog, it felt like we were walking on sand, where every step feels like three.We were both soon huffing and puffing, making what I thought was a meal of a short ascent. I said as much but Chris was having none of it. ''We've got a combined age of 120, remember?' In other words, give us both a break! We're doing ok!

There were some lovely moments though, despite my efforts to grump my way up.We surprised a woodcock which shot up out of the undergrowth just a few yards ahead of us, then flew off at speed.Gorgeous bird. Several snipe rose too, piping loudly in alarm and zig zagging their way across the moorland. I could almost imagine them thinking – for God’s sake, have all these blasted tourists not gone for the year?

Taking a breather, the views behind us over the Seilebost sands and out to the island of Taransay were already glorious.It was worth it already.

ImageDSC_8322.jpg by scotlandmac, on Flickr

ImageDSC_8271.jpg by scotlandmac, on Flickr

I could feel Chris pulling us always to the left, to the steeper ground, but I was sure the terrain would improve on 'my' line which was steep enough. However, it didn’t!! If anything, it seemed to get worse, more tussocky and quagmire-ish amongst the slab rock. :( One thing I've learned about walking on Harris is, the terrain is tough!

ImageDSC_8318.jpg by scotlandmac, on Flickr

But the end was in sight. Suddenly, the angle flattened out and we found ourselves cresting the ridge with the bog giving way to lovely dry, tundra like terrain.

Wow! The views from the marker cairn were magnificent in every direction! As always on a hill, all the pain and effort - such as it was for a very short time - vanished as we took in the scene.

ImageP1330485.jpg by scotlandmac, on Flickr

ImageP1330486.jpg by scotlandmac, on Flickr

The Clisham, Harris's highest mountain, Tiorga Mor and the other North Harris hills were a rich dusky purple/brown, that amazing colour that the western hills take on in late autumn/winter.In brighter light than we had, they can look almost orange. The sea below was flat calm, like glass, deepest blue.

ImageDSC_8284.jpg by scotlandmac, on Flickr

ImageDSC_8287.jpg by scotlandmac, on Flickr

A smile on my face, after all the huffs and puffs and groans...

ImageDSC_8297.jpg by scotlandmac, on Flickr

Over 40 miles west, St Kilda and Boreray were faint on the horizon, islands we’d visited this summer, our second and finally successful attempt at getting to those remote outposts.

And just as alluring was the view to the east, across Harris’s rocky wild hinterland. From the Sea of the Hebrides rose the distinctive outline of the Black Cuillin.

ImageP1330477.jpg by scotlandmac, on Flickr

Sgurr nan Gillean's summits were like sharks fins, serrated against a clear lemon sky.Chris, a native Gaelic speaker, has always suspected that the accepted translation of that mountain as the 'Mountain of the Young Men' is wrong and that it means 'Mountain of The Gills or Fins' , as in fish gills/fins. Certainly, mountains are usually named descriptively in Gaelic, so that would make sense. :think:

To the left sat the Red Cuillin’s rounded summits and further west, Rum’s shapely twin peaks were visible beyond Dunvegan Head and Neist Point. It was just outstanding. Mesmerising.

ImageP1330450.jpg by scotlandmac, on Flickr

ImageP1330448.jpg by scotlandmac, on Flickr

I went a bit nuts with the zoom lens but it really, was a joy to make out these familiar peaks and cliffs , so crystal clear even from this distance.

ImageP1330492.jpg by scotlandmac, on Flickr

Looking further north, we could make out the Torridons and the great wedge of Slioch above Loch Maree. In fact, it was the light that was the thing. While some thin cloud was already moving across Harris and 'dulling' the scene just a little, it was fantastically clear to the east with that lemony sky you get in really cold northern airstreams. Really spectacular with everything sort of silhouetted in sharp relief.The Shiants were visible too. Amazing country all around.

When I finally pulled my gaze away from all of this, I’d almost forgotten that below us, in all their glory, lay the huge sands of Luskentyre and Seilebost which seemed to stretch forever. We could make out the Scarista sands too where my youngest son was enjoying a few holes on the golf course. He was recovering from knee surgery and a hill, even a small one, was out this time.

ImageDSC_8309.jpg by scotlandmac, on Flickr

Beyond South Harris lay the sheep grazing island of Pabbay and also Berneray with its 4 mile long white sand beach. North Uist was visible too, land of my mother’s family and my favourite island of the whole Outer Hebrides chain.I'm sure genetic memory plays a role as I feel such a strong connection to North Uist, always.


There wasn’t a breath of wind on the top, though the northerly airstream was Arctic cold. All this standing about admiring everything was great but we were cooling down rapidly! We still had five minutes walking up to the true summit so off we set and as we did, the views kept opening up even more.

ImageP1330478.jpg by scotlandmac, on Flickr

Tiny Tarbert village appeared and the ribbon of spectacular road that winds up and over mountainous North Harris before sweeping down into Lewis, a majestic drive.

ImageP1330490.jpg by scotlandmac, on Flickr

Sron Ulladale's cliff face looked superb and through a gap beyond a wild lochan, I thought I could make out the settlement of Uig on West Lewis. Beautiful hills and country. Wild as you could want.

ImageP1330472.jpg by scotlandmac, on Flickr

We spent twenty minutes or so just drinking it all in, feeling very lucky to have finally seen the hill at its best. I can’t agree more with the opinion that it offers one of the finest views from any hill on Harris though I must say that we climbed Clisham last year and it was outstanding too.I think these island hills often are, no matter how relatively lowly in height.

ImageDSC_8316.jpg by scotlandmac, on Flickr

We took the steep route down, the rockier option and as often happens, came across a sort of track winding its way down between the bouldery rough terrain. It would have been a much easier ascent this way so my route idea was wrong.Ah well I have plenty previous convictions for that :D

ImageDSC_8273.jpg by scotlandmac, on Flickr

ImageDSC_8314.jpg by scotlandmac, on Flickr

It was 12.30pm before we arrived back at the cottage, our hearts full of Beinn Dhubh and its amazing views. I think the thing to do would be to wild camp up there in summer and catch sunset and/or sunrise. :idea: As with so many places in wild Scotland, so much to see and do, so little time……But it is a hill I would do again in a shot, tough little nut to crack that it is; it's a wee beauty.Never does a hill prove the point better about quality not quantity (in height!) :D
Attachments

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

User avatar
Anne C
Walker
 
Posts: 457
Munros:142   Corbetts:30
Fionas:34   Donalds:29
Sub 2000:48   Hewitts:1
Wainwrights:1   Islands:57
Joined: May 14, 2010

Re: An Isle of Harris Gem - Beinn Dhubh

Postby onsen » Sun Dec 24, 2017 9:30 am

Anne, some lovely moody shots from a beautiful part of the world...Merry Christmas & have a great new year.
User avatar
onsen
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 290
Joined: Oct 10, 2012
Location: The Great Southern Land, Australia

Re: An Isle of Harris Gem - Beinn Dhubh

Postby EmmaKTunskeen » Sun Dec 24, 2017 9:53 am

Thoroughly enjoyed that, Anne - poetry. :D Glad your perseverance paid off, it looks like you had a fantastic day in a place so close to your heart. Loved your photos too, especially the colours in 072! Happy Christmas!
User avatar
EmmaKTunskeen
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 348
Munros:32   Corbetts:28
Fionas:12   Donalds:14
Sub 2000:4   Hewitts:50
Wainwrights:41   Islands:24
Joined: Aug 19, 2016
Location: was West Sussex, now Ayrshire

Re: An Isle of Harris Gem - Beinn Dhubh

Postby Bruno » Sun Dec 24, 2017 2:20 pm

Anne-
These pictures are, frankly, stunning. They capture Harris perfectly.
Merry Christmas and A Happy New year
User avatar
Bruno
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 137
Munros:252   Corbetts:117
Fionas:29   Donalds:17
Sub 2000:5   
Joined: Oct 8, 2009
Location: Bearsden

Re: An Isle of Harris Gem - Beinn Dhubh

Postby Anne C » Sun Dec 24, 2017 5:38 pm

Thank you onsen, Emma and Bruno,

So glad you enjoyed the report! The great thing about writing these reports, is re-living the experience.....it was just so stunning.

Merry Xmas to you all and a Happy New Year!
User avatar
Anne C
Walker
 
Posts: 457
Munros:142   Corbetts:30
Fionas:34   Donalds:29
Sub 2000:48   Hewitts:1
Wainwrights:1   Islands:57
Joined: May 14, 2010

Re: An Isle of Harris Gem - Beinn Dhubh

Postby litljortindan » Sun Dec 24, 2017 6:59 pm

An evocative description. I remember trying to make my way to Ceapabhal three years ago and having a tough time tearing myself away from the roadside view of Luskentyre beach so maybe time for this hill next trip. Incredible light for your photos; I can understand why you'd be drawn to the east with your zoom as much I'm sure the views south and elsewhere also beckoned.
User avatar
litljortindan
Ambler
 
Posts: 2377
Munros:153   Corbetts:67
Fionas:29   Donalds:1
Sub 2000:47   Hewitts:12
Wainwrights:10   
Joined: Dec 11, 2011

Re: An Isle of Harris Gem - Beinn Dhubh

Postby Anne C » Tue Dec 26, 2017 12:42 pm

Thank you litljortindan (is that a Lofoten mountain name?).......yes, that cold late autumn light is so good for photos.I don't feel I'm making the most of it though - need to get off auto and my point and shoot mentality!

I love Ceapabhal too, a wee beauty with stunning views.It's covered in heather and the colours are sensational in late August/early Sept.
User avatar
Anne C
Walker
 
Posts: 457
Munros:142   Corbetts:30
Fionas:34   Donalds:29
Sub 2000:48   Hewitts:1
Wainwrights:1   Islands:57
Joined: May 14, 2010

Re: An Isle of Harris Gem - Beinn Dhubh

Postby litljortindan » Wed Dec 27, 2017 10:58 pm

Anne C wrote:Thank you litljortindan (is that a Lofoten mountain name?).......yes, that cold late autumn light is so good for photos.I don't feel I'm making the most of it though - need to get off auto and my point and shoot mentality!

I love Ceapabhal too, a wee beauty with stunning views.It's covered in heather and the colours are sensational in late August/early Sept.


Yes indeed, Litljortindan is a hill on Moskenesoya:
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=34798

Don't know if I could compare Lofoten and the Western Isles. Both special! I do remember when I returned from a ten day trip there that was sensory overload and I was surprised to find myself really enjoying the ostensibly dull and long walk to Ben Dearg of Blair Atholl; a rest for the eyeballs.
User avatar
litljortindan
Ambler
 
Posts: 2377
Munros:153   Corbetts:67
Fionas:29   Donalds:1
Sub 2000:47   Hewitts:12
Wainwrights:10   
Joined: Dec 11, 2011

Re: An Isle of Harris Gem - Beinn Dhubh

Postby Anne C » Fri Dec 29, 2017 10:04 pm

litljortindan, we were on Moskenesoya this summer and I thought I recognised the name! A breath taking part of the world indeed.

I was amazed, a few years ago, coming back from the Canadian Rockies one autumn and finding myself 'blown away' as they say by the Loch Lomond area, an area I usually drive through with the thought of getting somewhere 'better.' But Scotland always looks such an ancient land, mountains so honed by time and so colourful.
User avatar
Anne C
Walker
 
Posts: 457
Munros:142   Corbetts:30
Fionas:34   Donalds:29
Sub 2000:48   Hewitts:1
Wainwrights:1   Islands:57
Joined: May 14, 2010

Re: An Isle of Harris Gem - Beinn Dhubh

Postby malky_c » Sat Jan 06, 2018 11:18 am

Glad I came back to this to look at it on a proper-sized screen. My phone didn't really do it justice!

Some stunning photos there - time of year certainly helps if you can get any decent weather 8) . Beinn Dubh is probably at the top of the 'to do' list of Western Isles hills that I haven't been up. So far either the timing or weather has been wrong when I've been in the area.
User avatar
malky_c
 
Posts: 6342
Munros:282   Corbetts:222
Fionas:219   Donalds:80+37
Sub 2000:315   Hewitts:281
Wainwrights:140   Islands:39
Joined: Nov 22, 2009
Location: Glasgow/Inverness

Re: An Isle of Harris Gem - Beinn Dhubh

Postby past my sell by date » Wed Jan 10, 2018 4:01 pm

Great pics of a wonderful place. My only visit to Harris (must go again) was with the John Muir Trust shortly after the buy-out by the N Harris trust. It was a very mixed weekend: A barman said "John Muir must be very rich" :( :( :( - not the first time I've heard that. We went to Hushnish and walked along the beach :D :D :D but then on up Glen Cravadale in torrential rain to Amhuinnsuidhe Castle where the incredibly boring and pompous owner spent an age telling us about all his artworks :( :( :( - while we - shivering and soaked to the skin - tried to find a warm radiator to lean against :lol: :lol: :lol:
But the highlight for me was a brief sunny trip in the late afternoon up the little hill Giolabhal Glas 475m above Tarbert - where I had the clearest view of St Kilda - Hirta, Boreray and Stack Lee I think - that one could possibly imagine. That view will stay with me for ever - I could not believe it was about 50 miles away :D :D :D Of course I didn't have a camera :(
past my sell by date
Mountaineer
 
Posts: 1067
Munros:282   Corbetts:86
Fionas:27   Donalds:6
Sub 2000:8   Hewitts:146
Wainwrights:159   
Joined: Apr 24, 2013

Re: An Isle of Harris Gem - Beinn Dhubh

Postby Anne C » Wed Jan 10, 2018 10:28 pm

malky_c wrote:Glad I came back to this to look at it on a proper-sized screen. My phone didn't really do it justice!


Some stunning photos there -



'Beinn Dubh is probably at the top of the 'to do' list of Western Isles hills that I haven't been up. So far either the timing or weather has been wrong when I've been in the area.


Thanks Malky - I love the cold light and deep tawny colours of autumn/winter.The hills look incredible, colour-wise.

Yes, weather was against us first time round and we didn't get the views.It really deserves a decent weather day (well, all hills do) - I couldn't believe how clear Skye was in that cool lemon light.
Last edited by Anne C on Wed Jan 10, 2018 10:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Anne C
Walker
 
Posts: 457
Munros:142   Corbetts:30
Fionas:34   Donalds:29
Sub 2000:48   Hewitts:1
Wainwrights:1   Islands:57
Joined: May 14, 2010

Re: An Isle of Harris Gem - Beinn Dhubh

Postby Anne C » Wed Jan 10, 2018 10:36 pm

past my sell by date wrote:Great pics of a wonderful place. My only visit to Harris (must go again) was with the John Muir Trust shortly after the buy-out by the N Harris trust. It was a very mixed weekend: A barman said "John Muir must be very rich" :( :( :( - not the first time I've heard that. We went to Hushnish and walked along the beach :D :D :D but then on up Glen Cravadale in torrential rain to Amhuinnsuidhe Castle where the incredibly boring and pompous owner spent an age telling us about all his artworks :( :( :( - while we - shivering and soaked to the skin - tried to find a warm radiator to lean against :lol: :lol: :lol:
But the highlight for me was a brief sunny trip in the late afternoon up the little hill Giolabhal Glas 475m above Tarbert - where I had the clearest view of St Kilda - Hirta, Boreray and Stack Lee I think - that one could possibly imagine. That view will stay with me for ever - I could not believe it was about 50 miles away :D :D :D Of course I didn't have a camera :(


Thank you! Yes, it is something else, Harris. Strange what people will say :roll:
Husinish is fantastic , stunning spot.As is the castle, though luckily I've never met the owner :D
Unfortunately, there was a bit of haze out towards St Kilda and Boreray so we JUST made them out and no more from Beinn Duibh. Didn't come out in the photos though.But we (finally, second attempt) managed to get out to St Kilda last summer on a day trip, so at least I have some 'close ups' now!
User avatar
Anne C
Walker
 
Posts: 457
Munros:142   Corbetts:30
Fionas:34   Donalds:29
Sub 2000:48   Hewitts:1
Wainwrights:1   Islands:57
Joined: May 14, 2010

Re: An Isle of Harris Gem - Beinn Dhubh

Postby past my sell by date » Wed Jan 10, 2018 10:48 pm

Anne C wrote:Husinish is fantastic , stunning spot.As is the castle, though luckily I've never met the owner :D

It was at least twelve years ago - maybe the owner has changed :D
past my sell by date
Mountaineer
 
Posts: 1067
Munros:282   Corbetts:86
Fionas:27   Donalds:6
Sub 2000:8   Hewitts:146
Wainwrights:159   
Joined: Apr 24, 2013

Re: An Isle of Harris Gem - Beinn Dhubh

Postby Anne C » Thu Jan 11, 2018 7:03 pm

past my sell by date wrote:It was at least twelve years ago - maybe the owner has changed :D


You made me curious about the castle and its artwork - in fact, it turns out there is an important collection of William MacTaggart's work! I'm a fan so , interesting to know that :D
User avatar
Anne C
Walker
 
Posts: 457
Munros:142   Corbetts:30
Fionas:34   Donalds:29
Sub 2000:48   Hewitts:1
Wainwrights:1   Islands:57
Joined: May 14, 2010

10 people think this report is great.
Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).

Next



Can you help support Walkhighlands?


Our forum is free from adverts - your generosity keeps it running.
Can you help support Walkhighlands and this community by donating by direct debit?



Return to Walk reports - Scotland

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Becca, BlackPanther, BobJohnson8, edwelch, mariansharkey, nigheandonn, PeteR, ppeters and 79 guests