Beinn Dronaig, Attadale

Summary

Beinn Dronaig is a rather rounded but extremely remote hill, with a long approach from Attadale. The hill itself is steep and rough, but the summit is a fine viewpoint.

Grade

Bog Factor

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Very long track to Ben Dronaig bothy - a mountain bike would help although initial climb is long and steep. Beinn Dronaig itself is steep, pathless and rough ground; remote and far from help.

Hillwalking in Winter

Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. All route descriptions and difficulties given here are for summer conditions. See our Winter Skills page for basic information on the essential skills, techniques and knowledge needed for winter hillwalking.

Getting there

Start

Parking just off the A890 at turning for Attadale Gardens.

Public Transport

Attadale train station (request stop Inverness-Kyle line) short walk along A890 from start.

Start Grid Ref

NG924387

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 32km / 20 miles
Time (summer conditions): 14 hours+ or 2 days
Ascent: 1157m (Profile)

Summits Climbed

Corbett: Beinn Dronaig

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Walk Description

User reports (3)

Stage 1

Start from the walker's car park on the right after turning into Attadale Estate from the A890 south of Strathcarron. There is a map showing the route. Walk along the entrance driveway, bearing left towards the entrance to the Gardens. Pass some cottages on the right and when the Gardens entrance is reached turn right along the road up the Glen, away from Attadale House. The lane follows the pleasant strath, when it forks take the lower, right hand side signed for cottages and walkers. Eventually pass through a gate near the estate holiday cottages; after this the track becomes rougher. Continue along it, ignoring two turnings to the right, to reach a bridge over the River Attadale. Go right across this and follow the track as it begins to climb through birch woodland. It soon joins a new bulldozed hydro track heading uphill - hopefully the scars from this will heal with time.

Stage 2

There are great views back over Lochcarron backed by the peaks of Applecross. After the climb up the valley of the Abhainn Odhar, the track flattens out somewhat as it crosses undulating moors, with forestry plantations over to the right. Ignore two tracks off on the right, the second of which has a footpath signpost (for Killilan in Kintail). The track winds around, passing the small Loch an Droigan, before climbing steeply in zig-zags after passing the outflow of Loch na Caillich.

Stage 3

The gradient then eases once more and the remote Munros of Bidein a'Choire Sheasgaich and Lurg Mhor come into view, with Beinn Dronaig looking comparatively undistinguished to their right. Eventually the track heads gently downhill into a new, empty landscape. After descending down the empty Srath Feith a'Mhadaidh for over a kilometre, the original track climbs slightly and then drops again towards the wide Uisage Dhubh or Black Water River, curving to the south to reach an attractive cast-iron bridge where the river flows through a small ravine. Cross the bridge and continue on the track which turns left on the far side (you can avoid some of the hydro track by keeping on the old track closer to the river).

Stage 4

A kilometre and a half further on a pair of lonely buildings is reached at Bendronaig Lodge. The first of these is a lodge used by stalkers, but just beyond is the second building. This is maintained by the Attadale Estate as an open bothy for the use of walkers. Whether staying here, camping nearby or just popping in, please repay the estate's generosity by carrying out all your rubbish and keeping the place tidy; flush the toilet by filling the cistern using the bucket in the stream outside.

Stage 5

Beyond the bothy, a bulldozed track continues east. This soon reaches a junction and a rickety footbridge over the Allt Coire na Sorna (the hydro track avoids this). Take the branching track that climbs up the glen on the north side of the Allt Coire na Sorna. Eventually the track levels off and crosses a feeder burn. Leave it here and aim SSW across the pathless, rough moorland, aiming to begin the ascent to the right of the prominent crag.

Stage 6

Once alongside the crag a shoulder can be climbed up to its summit, giving a momentary view of Loch Calavie, or this can be bypassed. From here cross a slight dip and then begin the steeper ascent SSE.

Stage 7

The slope is quite craggy but in clear conditions it is easy enough to find a way between the rockier sections. Recompense for the effort is provided by the fine views looking back, with the peaks of the Coulin Forest and Torridon gradually appearing above Loch an Laoigh.

Stage 8

Eventually the slope eases and more straightforward walking leads to the cylindrical trig point. Beinn Dronaig is a very fine viewpoint; the panorama eastwards over Loch Monar and to the peaks of Mullardoch and Strathfarrar is revealed only at the last moment. To the west is Skye with the Cuillin well seen in good conditions.

Stage 9

The easiest return walk is back the same way down to the track and then along it for all those long, long miles back to Attadale.

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