Beinn Sgulaird Walking

A rough and rocky hill in a quiet backwater above the head of Loch Creran, Beinn Sgulaird makes an excellent shorter Munro day - but with a start at sea level it's still one with plenty of ascent. Standing apart from the neighbouring Etive and Glen Coe peaks, Sgulaird is a bit of a loner, and hard to incorporate into a manageable or logical larger round. Most walkers will be content with the standard linear up-and-back route, and this is one of those rare Munros on which that is probably the most enjoyable way to do it.

Beinn Trilleachan and the Black Mount from the summit of Beinn Sgulaird  © Dan Bailey  © Dan Bailey
Beinn Trilleachan and the Black Mount from the summit of Beinn Sgulaird © Dan Bailey
Fetching Map

Detailed description

1
NN0084845046 Follow the farm track uphill past the houses at Druimnavuic. Beyond the felled forestry the track zigzags left and then back right.

2
NN0145144571 Turn off at a cairn marking a footpath which climbs the steep lower part of Beinn Sgulaird's long west ridge. On nearing a minor summit (point 488m on the map) the path skirts just right of the top, traversing northeast above broken crags before cutting back right to descend to a little col.

3
NN0254444993 Cross a fence on the bealach and continue on the clear path, at first just to the right of the ridge crest, making a long, steady, and occasionally soggy, climb up to the first main summit on the ridge. As height is gained the ground becomes more rocky and interesting. Cross a little col to reach the top of the next rocky summit (point 863m on the map). Descend steep rubbly ground into a lower col before a rocky climb onto the summit of Meall Garbh.

4
NN0476845187 Another rough, steep descent leads to a further col on the ridge. From this point follow the well-defined south ridge, a long enjoyable ascent on slabby granite and boulders. Before the top there's a tiny section of easy scrambling, best done just to the left of the crest. The cairn on top marks one of the finest viewpoints in the west highlands.

5
NN0529846081 Any circuit from here would be long and contrived, so it's probably best to return how you came, enjoying the sea views on the way.

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Further Routes

by Dan Bailey UKH



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