Luinne Bheinn & Meall Bhuidhe, Inverie, Knoydart

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These two remote Knoydart Munros may be less celebrated than Ladhar Bheinn, but they still provide a superlative and challenging mountain walk. Rough, rocky summits packed with character and wonderful views.

Terrain

Very rough going. Ascent to initial ridge up steep, pathless slope often with high bracken. Ridges are rocky and rough. Path near the loch on return is very boggy in parts.

Public Transport

Boats are available from Mallaig to Inverie including Western Isle Cruises. (Mallaig has a train station).

Start

Inverie, Knoydart. Map and directions.

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Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 27km / 17 miles
Time: 11 - 13 hours
Ascent: 1586m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NG765002

Summits Climbed

Munro: Meall Buidhe
Munro: Luinne Bheinn

Maps / GPS

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Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

From the new landing pier in Inverie, turn right along the road passing the Old Forge pub, the tea room and shop as well as a memorial to the Seven Men of Knoydart - land-raiders who staked out claims for crofts on Knoydart after World War 2; they lost their case but won massive public sympathy. Continue through the woodland until the road bends right and a track continues ahead - take the track, which is signed as a right of way to Kinlochhourn and Strathan. It climbs through the trees to reach another junction; fork right here through the gate, continuing on a track along the top of the forestry and then slightly downhill, through an open stretch and then another brief block of forest. Further on there is a prominent memorial up to the left - this was placed here by Lord Brocket to commemorate his father. A Nazi-sympathiser, Brocket was Laird here at the time of the land raids.

Stage 2

The track passes well below the memorial; further on, look out for a branch track off to the right. This crosses the glen floor to reach a footbridge over the Inverie River. Cross this and continue, soon passing Druim bothy - privately-owned, this is kept locked and is available for rental. The path soon leads across another footbridge, this time across the Allt Gleann Meadail, to enter the lower reaches of Gleann Meadail. When the crags barring the lower end of the Druim Righeanaich relent it is possible to leave the path and climb the steep, very rough slope up to gain the ridge; in high summer this slope is further defended by high bracken and some may prefer to continue up the path to the head of the glen and tackle Meall Buidhe from there. Otherwise, once on the Druim Righeanaich it leads much more easily up to the top of An t-Uiriollaich. There are superb views back down to Inverie bay, with the islands of Eigg, Rum, and the Sleat peninsula of Skye beyond.

Stage 3

There is a short descent and then a straightforward climb up the ridge to reach the Munro summit of Meall Buidhe. Continue to the east top; from here the descent of the northeast ridge is very steep but there is a clear path that winds between the crags and avoids any real difficulties. After the first steeper section the ridge becomes a complex mass of slabs, crags and grassy patches but a path has formed for most of the route and eases what would otherwise be very complex and difficult navigation in poor conditions. Continue to the Bealach Ile Coire, with dramatic views back to Meall Buidhe.

Stage 4

The ridge climbs over more lumps and bumps onto the more substantial grassy top of Druim Leac a'Shith, though the summit of this is passed on the west side. There are superb views of craggy Ben Aden and along Loch Quoich. Descend via Meall Coire na Gaoithe'n Ear to reach the lowest point between the two Munros, the Bealach a'Choire Odhair. From here a more sustained ascent climbs up towards Luinne Bheinn; before reaching the east top there are some craggier sections with simple scrambling.

Stage 5

Once at the east top a sensational view opens up down to Barrisdale Bay on Loch Hourn, with Beinn Sgritheall towering beyond. Continue past the summit cairn and along the ridge which descends steeply at times to Bachd Mhic an Tosaich. After this the path peters out; descend west down boggy slopes before the end of the ridge to gain a very wet section of path that follows an old fence line on this side of Luinne Bheinn, and follow this to reach the cairn that marks the high point on the Mam Barrisdale pass.

Stage 6

Turn left on the path to begin the long walk back to Inverie. This old right of way is very gently graded at first and offers good walking with footbridges over several side streams. Before reaching Loch an Dubh-Lochain however it becomes very wet and waterlogged in places. Once at the loch the going improves; cast a last look back at Luinne Bheinn which looks impressive from here. The path passes a ruin above the loch and becomes a track, rejoining the outward route to pass below the Brocket Memorial once more before returning to Inverie.

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