Beinn Bheigier and Glas Bheinn

Summary

The hills of Islay may not reach any great height, but they offer a solitude that can match almost any in Scotland. Their rocky upper slopes give superb views, though these must be earned by struggling through some extremely tussocky and tiring terrain lower down.

Grade

Bog Factor

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Outward track wet underfoot; lower slopes of the hills are very boggy and tussocky, giving tiring going.

Getting there

Start

Parking area by end of road north of Claggain Bay.

Public Transport

None.

Start Grid Ref

NR462537

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 17.7km / 11 miles
Time: 7 - 8 hours
Ascent: 860m (Profile)

Summits Climbed

Sub 2000: Beinn Bheigier (Islay)
Sub 2000: Glas Bheinn (Islay)

Mapping and GPS

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Explorer 352 - Islay South

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Walk Description

User reports (1)

Stage 1

There is a small parking area on the right hand side of the minor road near where it ends at the north end of Claggain Bay. Go through the gate with the amusing rhyme at the end of the road, and continue along the track to reach the lonely whitewashed house at Ardtalla. Pass to the left of the house and go through the gate into the field beyond. The route now becomes a boggy track; a metal sheet acts as a bridge over a burn.

Stage 2

The track divides into several different options, all roughly equally wet, over Maol Ardtalla before passing through a gate and descending to cross another burn - there is a bridge just to the left. There are further burns to cross before the path reaches the shore of the bay and continues along it towards Proaig. Just before Proaig is a more substantial burn, which has a partly broken metal girder across it and also a single wooden plank at the time of writing - crossing this is likely to be impossible in high spate.

Stage 3

The building at Proaig has been reroofed and could offer basic shelter. From here follow the far bank of the burn upstream briefly and then aim northwest across lumpy ground to gain the ridge between Gleann Coire Liunndrein and Gleann Dubh. Many red deer live in this area. Higher up the going eventually becomes drier and rockier - but still rough - with careful navigation needed in poor conditions. Eventually curve west and finally southwest to reach the summit of Glas Bheinn.

Stage 4

Follow the lumpy ridge south from the summit, then southwest and south again to pass over Am Mam before a descent to a wide bealach. To reach Beinn Bheigier aim to the right initially to avoid scree before curving up to reach the summit cairn. This is the highest point on Islay, and on a good day the views are very extensive.

Stage 5

Follow the stony, undulating ridge to point 456m where there is another cairn. Ignore a cairn off to the east here, and instead head south, descending the Diollaid nam Fiadh. Once below the steeper slopes the going once again becomes tough, with hidden grassy tussocks and boggy ground to negotiate.

Stage 6

Aim to head down along the right hand side of a fence. This eventually reaches another fence running across the hillside - head through a gate a short distance to the right. Continue ahead to the southeast; thankfully a hard track is picked up for the final section.

Stage 7

This swings right and then back left, eventually leading down to the minor road above the pebbly beach of Claiggan Bay. Turn left along the road to return to the parking area.

Route Profile

Where to stay

Islay, Jura & Colonsay Hotels

Islay, Jura & Colonsay B&B

Islay, Jura & Colonsay cottages

Islay, Jura & Colonsay hostels

Glamping and Camping

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