UKH

Hi there
Am heading to Torridon with the family next week and the forecast looks a bit wet. Am keen to try and get the kids up their first munro (they have done plenty of smaller hills and walks) and wondered if anyone had any thoughts on what might be the best one to try? Cheers.

In reply to Jonny Platt:

Ben Alligin the easiest of the 'Torridon Three' - I think it may be 2 munros now as well

In reply to Jonny Platt:

Just doing the first top of Beinn Alligin (Tom na Gruagaich) would be an option as would Spidean Coire nan Clach on Beinn Eighe (a few feet of easy scrambling just before the top). Fionn Bheinn and Moruisg are easy hills a short drive away but not really in the same class scenery wise! Beinn Damh is not a Munro but it is a fine hill with a good path.

In reply to Jonny Platt:

Thanks for the suggestions guys will check these out and see what everyone fancies. I remember Moruisg being the first Munro I took my other half up and it feeling pretty uneventful! Will also have a look at Beinn Damh which I have not been on before.

In reply to Jonny Platt:

How old are the kids?

Alternative to the excellent Alligin would be to do Sgorr Ruadh in the Coulin Forest to the south, from Achnashellach. There is one river crossing, so not after heavy rain.

Beinn Damh is probably the most child friendly of the bigger peaks, just not a Munro.

You must do the Mountain Trail in the Beinn Eighe Nature reserve by Loch Maree whilst you're there. Wonderful walk for all ages.

In reply to Jonny Platt:

It depends on how old / fit / keen the kids are, really.

The above two answers are good; other, slightly longer Munro options would be Maol-Chean Dearg from Annat, or just a little North of Torridon, Slioch from Incheril - both fine hills with no real difficulty, but with longer approaches than Beinn Alligin.

You mention a less than ideal forecast - remember that there are a lot of great smaller hills there which might be below the clouds even if the Munros aren't, such as the aforementioned Beinn Damh, or:

- Meall a' Ghiuthais and Ruadh-stac Beag, to the North of Beinn Eighe

- The unassuming Sgorr nan Lochan Uaine and Sgurr Dubh on the South side of the glen, delightful hills which are easy to overlook: http://www.ootnaboot.scot/winter2008-9/20090131Liathach_Panorama.jpg

- the odd flat-topped Beinn a'Chearcaill, again a little North of Torridon: http://www.ootnaboot.scot/autumn2010/20100925Beinn_a_Chearcaill_Summit.jpg

- Beinn na-h-Eaglaise: http://www.ootnaboot.scot/autumn2013/20130908Beinn_na-h-Eaglaise.jpg

- And even the quick and easy An Ruadh Mheallan, West of Beinn Alligin, dwarfed by its neighbour but with good views and steep cliffs on its North side: http://www.ootnaboot.scot/scrapbook/20110901An_Ruadh_Mheallan.jpg

In reply to Jonny Platt:

Not a Munro but Beinn a' Chearcil stands out to me - the walk in splits into three distinct environments, that are never to steep or demanding and all of which have different things to help keep the interest of little people, and the summit plateau is quite something, both geologically speaking and in terms of views.

Also +1 for the "Mointain Trail" - some wonderful forest.

In reply to Jonny Platt:

Thanks again for all the suggestions. Several of the days have been downgraded to "light rain showers" and so we might manage to get a couple of days walking in so really appreciate all the suggestions.