Beinn an Oir, via Loch an t-Siob

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If the complete round of the Paps of Jura is too challenging, the ascent of Beinn an Oir on its own makes for a more amenable hillwalk with little scree, though the approach is very boggy. The reward is truly spectacular views of the remarkable Paps, and out over the surrounding sea and islands.

Terrain

Very boggy approach, then some pathless moorland walking. The ascent of Beinn an Oir by this route is steep and a little stony in places, but mostly has a path and gives much easier going than elsewhere on the Paps.

Public Transport

Infrequent Jura bus service runs between Feolin Ferry and Ardlussa.

Start

Parking area on north side of the Three Arch Bridge over the Corran River. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Description

Stage 1

There is a parking area on the north side of the old bridge over the Corran river. Begin the walk by crossing the bridge and then immediately turning right down a path and over a stile across a deer fence. The path soon leads to a larger one; turn left along this. There are many ATV tracks across the moor ahead, but the line of the main path is usually clear to follow, though it is extremely boggy in places.

Stage 2

It rises high above the river on the first section before contouring the slopes to eventually reach the stepping stones at the outflow of Loch an t-Siob. From here traverse above the north side of Loch an t-Siob; there are faint paths for much of the way.

Stage 3

Once beyond the far end of the loch continue making a rising traverse across the slopes until it becomes straightforward to aim more directly northwards up towards the very wide bealach between Beinn Shiantaidh and Beinn an Oir. There are no paths here, but from the west end of the bealach it is possible to pick up the start of a fairly clear path that leads steeply up onto the ramp that begins to the left side of the flank of Beinn an Oir; there are good views looking to Beinn Shiantaidh.

Stage 4

Once on the ramp the path curves right to follow it on a heathery climb, free of scree. Higher up the path begins to peter out, near the scant remains of a stone building; leave the ramp here to climb more steeply up the slope to the left where there is a gap in the wall of scree.

Stage 5

Climb up this to reach the summit ridge, near to the remains of more stone buildings. These date from the 19th century and were a 'Colby Camp' used by the Ordnance Survey in their mapping of the Highlands and Islands.

Stage 6

Turn SW up the summit ridge, following a constructed route through the stones made by those early OS surveyors. Soon the summit is reached; the highest of the Paps is marked by a trig point in a shelter cairn, with a further cairn just beyond. The views of the sea and islands all around are - as might be expected - breathtaking. From a few paces further along the lowest Pap - Beinn a' Chaolais - looks very intimidating indeed with a hair-raisingly steep scree path.

Stage 7

The descent south from Beinn an Oir is much steeper, rockier and more awkward than anything on the ascent route given (it is described in our Paps of Jura route), so for those climbing only Beinn an Oir, the best route is to instead retrace your steps the way you came, back down the ramp path and all the way back to the start.

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