Baosbheinn, near Gairloch

Summary

This magnificent sandstone mountain is unfair overlooked due to its position behind Torridon. A rugged and strenous outing, Baosbheinn is a wonderful viewpoint both for the higher Torridon mountains and over the sea to the islands.

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Grade

Bog Factor

4.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Rocky track for approach. On the hill going is largely pathless with some boggy sections and a couple of burn crossings that can be impassable in spate. Steep ground but no real difficulties on the ridge.

Getting there

Start

Car park by the green barn half a kilometre east of Loch Bad an Sgalaig.

Public Transport

Inverness- Gairloch bus service.

Start Grid Ref

NG857721

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 23.1km / 14.25 miles
Time: 8 - 9 hours
Ascent: 1190m (Profile)

Summits Climbed

Corbett: Baosbheinn

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Walk Description

User reports (11)

Stage 1

Park in the small car park beside a barn a few hundred metres E of Loch Bad an Sgalag. The walk begins on the track opposite, with a large wooden sign proclaiming 'Bad an Sgalag Native Pinewood'. The track crosses a bridge across the outflow of the reedy Am Feur-loch and ascends gently at first; there is a distant view of the northern buttresses of Baosbheinn. The track passes through a gate in the deer fence and enters the Bad na Sgalag native pinewood. Over a million native trees have been planted by the estate over an area of several square miles.

Stage 2

The track gains height slowly, with views over to Lochan a Chleirich on the left and the mountain fortress of Slioch in the distance. Continue on the track, ignoring some waymarked paths off right, to climb over a low pass. Ignore another two routes off right, keeping on the main track. The track gives views of the isolated peak of Beinn an Èoin before reaching a giant boulder known as the 'Grouse stone'. This rock was where shooting parties used to leave their bag of birds; a ghillie from Gairloch would then come up to the rock each day to collect them.

Stage 3

Beyond the stone the track passes though a gate in the deer fence and bare moorland stretches ahead. The track climbs round to the right of the hillock of Meall Lochan na Geala before descending slightly and crossing the Abhainn Loch na h-Oidhche using stepping-stones. This is usually easy but the crossing can be impassable in spate (at such times you can head up the right side of the river, but still need to cross a burn at a bifurcation before rejoining the route beyond some boggy ground).

Stage 4

Beyond the stepping stones track climbs gently once more before a first glimpse of Loch na h-Oidche is seen ahead, ringed by great mountains. Beinn an Èoin is on the left, and Beinn Dearg closes the view at the head of the loch, whilst our objective of Baosbheinn is on the right. Before reaching the loch fork right, using a faint ATV track at first before crossing moorland to reach the outflow. The river can usually be crossed a couple of hundred metres downstream from the loch, where there are the stanchions of a long-gone bridge. The crossing can be done with dry feet using stones after a dry spell, but may require a wade and become dangerous in spate.

Stage 5

Beyond, head uphill across the moor, keeping close to the Allt an Reidh-choire, which begins to climb steeply further on. Once the steep and rocky shoulder of the NE ridge of Sgòrr Dubh has been outflanked, bear left onto the top of the shoulder, and follow the grassy ridge up towards Baosbheinn, with steep slopes falling to your left, and much gentler onces to the right. There are great views behind over the loch to Loch Maree and distant An Teallach, and of Beinn Eighe and its Triple Buttress.

Stage 6

The ridge rises to a rocky tower near the top, but this is easily outflanked on a gentle grassy path by heading off right to join the main north ridge, between two minor rsummits and the main peak Sgòrr Dubh - turn left to head up this. This peak is the highest of Baosbheinn's summits at 875 metres, making it a Corbett. The cairn is set in the centre of the flat grassy summit area, and a walk round the rim of this area is needed to make the best of the remarkable views. The Torridon peaks are seen from an unusual angle, all looking magnificent, whilst the view west and north takes in a huge sweep of the sea with Loch Gairloch and Loch Poolewe prominent, and scores of islands from Skye and the Outer Hebrides to the Summer Isles in the north.

Stage 7

The easiest and quickest return is to retrace your steps; however it is more enjoyable to make a circuit. Head SE down a steep slope, grassy at first. Soon a small rocky tower is reached; pass this on the right and continue down the much rougher sandstone terraces below to reach the bealach. From here, head east directly up the stony slopes to reach the SE summit, with equally fine views. Head S along a ridge which then narrows and descends more steeply, curving left. To reach the next bealach and the peak of Ceann Beag leave the ridge near the bottom, descending the grassy slope on the left - this area is confusing in mist as the ridge-line ends in a crag just W of the bealach.

Stage 8

From the bealach, the minor peak of Ceann Beag looks intimidating, but the ascent proves straightforward though steep towards the top; there is a path through the crags. This summit has grand views of Beinn Alligin and Beinn Dearg. Continue along the ridge for about half a kilometre before making a beeline descent to the head of Loch na h-Oidhche. The ground round the head of the loch is boggy but a way can be threaded between the small lochans; a short ascent beyond leads to the track near the private (locked) former bothy at Poca Buidhe.

Stage 9

Turn left along the track from here, with good views of Baosbheinn across the loch. At the far end the track rejoins the outward route, which is followed back to the start.

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