UKH

My American relatives are coming to visit again and apparently this time they want to get in to my "climbing/hillwalking thing".....not sure what that means or even if they do!

Was thinking Conic Hill or maybe The Cobbler. I'm think from a view point of view it has to be West Coast. Any other suggestions - please?

In reply to Father Noel Furlong:

Assuming from your suggestion that ease of access from the central belt is a priority, and maybe that something easy would be sensible, perhaps Ben Venue in the Trossachs, or even easier Ben A' an, which gives stupendous value for the small effort required.

In reply to Father Noel Furlong:

Goat Fell on Arran.

Beinn a'Chrulaiste by the King's House has -wonderful- views across to the Buachaille.

In reply to BnB:


Not necessarily. We're meeting them in Glasgow but then likely travelling north. Ben A'an definitely a good shout. Was thinkng even Stac Pollaidh but not sure how far north we'll get

In reply to Father Noel Furlong:

Beinn na Lap

In reply to Father Noel Furlong:

I love the views from the top of the Bealach na Ba and you can walk to a couple of summits easily from there

In reply to Father Noel Furlong:

There are lots of ideas for such walks on Walkhighlands, including poor weather options. One that springs to mind is Ganavan Hill just north of Oban http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/argyll/dunstaffnage.shtml We walked out from the beach car park, over the hill to Dunstaffnage Castle and then back along the coast (one tricky 'bad step' over a cleft which can be avoided). Great views for very little effort.

In reply to Lankyman:

Sounds good thanks. They're looking to visit places they haven't been so Oban might be a good idea.

In reply to Father Noel Furlong:

Ah, OK. Sgurr na Stri on Skye, getting the boat in from Elgol. A little more effort, but unbeatable views.

In reply to felt:
Another vote for BNL, a nice train trip on the West Highland line to Corrour , ( drive to BOO, or from further out for a longer train ride)

Then you get to climb one of the easiest hills to summit , as you are starting from a very high point.

accommodation and food also available, whilst at the same time this is remote, you can also easily travel onwards to Fort Bill etc.

In reply to Father Noel Furlong:

Does it need to be a summit with stunning views? Hidden valley or Steall falls maybe fit the bill?

In reply to skog:


This. You get the whole of Glencoe from up there, plus Rannoch Moor, a good aspect of the Mamores and Creise/Meall a'Bhuiridh. One of the best viewpoints on these isles.


OP: If they go to the Lakes, Cat Bells above Keswick must rate very highly in the view for effort value stakes.

In reply to skog:


Bingo. If the journey isn't a problem than this thread has peaked. Although I'm sure I'm not the only one to be enjoying everyone's suggestions

In reply to Father Noel Furlong:

Two other low-level hills that we've enjoyed are near to Dunkeld

Deuchary Hill http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3740357 - take in Loch Ordie http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1065217
Birnam Hill http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/947285

In reply to skog:

Def thought about the boat trip from Elgol, world class. Hadn't thought of Sgurr na Stri, always thought that looked quite impenetrable for an easy walk.

In reply to Father Noel Furlong:

Easy if you approach round the back from the shores of Loch Coruisk. Also takes in the magnificent view from Captain Maryon's monument, which gives a more intimate perspective on the northern Cuiilin.

In reply to BnB:

Ta. Seen streapadair's photo on here from Sgurr na Stri so really fancy it if the weather's good.

In reply to Father Noel Furlong:
Beinn Tianavaig near Portree would be a good bet.
Ardsheal Hill near Kentallen is really easy (20 minutes up?) and on a decent track, and has great views over Loch Linnhe and the Firth of Lorn.
Mountain Trail at Kinlochewe.
Beinn na Lap might have good views but the unexciting wet ascent may put first-timers off.
Buachaille Etive Beag could be good if they don't mind a bit of ascent. Certainly one of the easier 'mountainous' mountains.

In reply to Father Noel Furlong:

If you're thinking Oban ,and the West Coast ,Ben Sgulaird is nearby.

If (if) you get a good day ,you will get some great views

In reply to Father Noel Furlong:
Ben Aslak:
http://scottishhills.com/html/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=2641

Sgurr na Stri via the boat trip:
http://scottishhills.com/html/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=9229

East end of the N Glencoe ridge:
http://scottishhills.com/html/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=1529...

Beinn na Cro:
http://scottishhills.com/html/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=1614...

Dun Caan:
http://scottishhills.com/html/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=1627...


As above - Mountain trail at Kinlochewe is the most ambitious forest walk in Scotland, Goatfell.

Bidein Clann Raonaild, Sgurr na Bana Mhoraire (of Beinn Damh), Schiehallion....

In reply to Father Noel Furlong:


You might want to probe that a bit further. Some Australian friends of ours came to visit a couple of summers ago. One of them had expressed a similar interest in hill-walking and had gone to the lengths of spending a lot of money on some expensive new walking boots. In the end, the only walk of any significance they managed was a 10-mile stroll with a grand total of 150m ascent, and that left them exhausted for days.


Arthur's Seat or Calton Hill (obviously nowhere near the grandeur of your suggestions or those of others, but they're grand viewpoints).

In reply to tony:

My thinking exactly. Quite sure they have no idea what they're asking for and might end up with a grand ascent of Buchanan Street!

Thanks all for other suggestions....i might just do them myself.

In reply to Father Noel Furlong:

Good call .

There's a few technical bits near the summit too .

The last incline up to the Royal Concert Hall is not for the faint hearted.

If the Yanks are hardcore they can attempt The Inn Pinn of Dewar.

In reply to Father Noel Furlong:

Haven't actually done it myself yet, but 'the Dumpling' at Gartocharn might fit the bill?

http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/lochlomond/duncryne.shtml

In reply to petestack:

I've been up it a few times. It's very very small, and the walk-in is muddy and lacks interest, but it does have very good views.

On that theme, another thought is walking in to the Whangie - similar good views across Loch Lomond, with the added bonus of a surprising and interesting landform.

http://www.ootnaboot.scot/winter2010-1/20110319Whangie.jpg
http://www.ootnaboot.scot/spring2008/20080506Fergal_Backstep_Chimney.jpg

Excellent place to watch the sun set, but gets midgey, and also often a bit muddy on the walk-in.
http://www.ootnaboot.scot/spring2008/20080506Lomond_Sunset.jpg

In reply to malky_c:


If that's the one I think it is, you can nip up Meall a' Ghiuthais from the high point of the trail for an even better view with not too much effort.

In reply to Ramblin dave:

Yes indeed. As per this Route Card: http://www.ukhillwalking.com/logbook/r/?i=141

In reply to Father Noel Furlong:

If you're around Oban then Ben Lora above Benderloch has one of the best view to effort ratios in the country. Used to take American groups up these for various companies, always a hit.

In reply to skog:

Plus it has a funny sounding name, and I believe theres a story about how it was formed involving a dragon.

In reply to eltankos:


I heard it was the Devil.

N.B. 'glacial plucking' sounds a bit funny too.

In reply to Father Noel Furlong:
Bheinn a Beithir from Ballachulish by the east ridge offers some easy scrambling and some great views you could do the east ridge up and come down the north east one for an easy day with great views up Glencoe the Pap and BenNevis and down and across Loch Linnhe if you continue to Sgorr Dohnhuill.

Been up Sgurr na Srti one of the best views to be had of the Cuillin ridge I have a panorama in my gallery, but even a trip down Glenbrittle and one of the southerly Munros offers some scrambling and fine views if the weather is good, depends how easy you want it.