Been here before but never had the luxury of a view. The weather causing an impromptu visit to the summit to enjoy the vistas.
A steep ascent on a well defined, some times boggy, sometimes eroded path.
Ample parking off the B828 at the forestry road.
Easy enough to navigate in good conditions, one wee mild scramble that doesn’t cause issue.
A trig point highlighting the summit 👍
A classic Corbett. Been here before and will do so again, a great hill…..one of the best. Just a few pics 👍
Bidean nam Bain and Stob Coire Sgreamhach, forming part of the Glencoe range.
A day away amongst the giants, excellent weather to be on the mountains.
A trig point and a wee hill.
Looking for a quick fix, the trig of Cruach nan Capull was the target. There seems to be a number of Cruach nan Capulls, this one off the A886 with the Fairy Knowe as it’s neighbour – a great combination.
Headed off from the lay-by on the A886 above Strachur. Easy to navigate using the fence lines, the trig was an easy find despite the boggy terrain in some sections. Once the trig was conquered we headed over to Sidhean Sluaigh (Fairy Know) a prominent hill seen from the main road.
It’s been a while since I put anything on here! I have been out n about but mostly mundane repetitive stuff aimed at shifting some weight! Been busy the last 6 months renovating a flat so I’ve lost a few seasons!!
Anyway……. the Cobbler in Arrochar, Ben Arthur as it’s also known. A fine Corbett and always a busy one too – despite the £9 a day parking charge at the Succoth car park. A well documented hill, with a well trodden defined path to the summit, threading the needle an option for the brave or mentalists 😂.
Moral of the story is my mate text to see if I wanted head to the Cobbler on Saturday, sure….why not? I could do with some Hill time. He then confirmed it’d be good to be on the summit for sunrise!! A 04:30 drive from Dunoon was the start of our journey. This did afford us the luxury of being first on the hillside breaking a trail through the spindrift sometimes hard to distinguish snowy path.
Enough narrative, photos can explain the rest 👍
Dark ascent.
First light.
Final ascent.
It was -18 on the summit for sunrise! Needs less to say, spending 20 minutes at the top was enough time up there. A great day on a fantastic hill in great conditions. My micro spikes proving their worth on the lower paths, especially on the descent.
Attempted to load a video but it’s not having it!!
Looking forward to getting back out 👍🍺
At 764mts the recent addition to the Corbett family (July 2016) provides an excellent walk.
The walk beginning in Lochgoilhead initially takes in part the Cowal Way before heading away from the way marked trail.
The snowy summit of Beinn Bheula on the opposite side of Loch.
Navigation of the Cowal Way isn’t problematic, initially on a forestry road, then a hill track to the gates fence line before the open hill. The path is less distinguished however, marker posts lead the way.
Once on the open hill, the views open up, the hills enhanced by the recent snow fall-caught at sunrise only made the views better.
From the top marker post, it’s time for the open hill. I was fortunate to pick up a track through the snow made by a previous group, looks like they’d headed in via The Brack.
The gain in elevation provides more stunning views in all directions.
The summit view is stunning. It’s worth walking out to the furthest point to gain a better vantage point over the surrounding lochs.
Summit 360.
Descent made by the ascent route in slightly better light. Allowing a quick stop off at one of the waterfalls.
A great shift on the hill in ideal conditions, providing excellent vistas.
At 943mts Ben Vorlich is a Munro and forms part of the ‘Arrochar Alps’.
The start/finishing point is at Inveruglas, Loch Lomond. Parking is adjacent to the Loch Sloy power station on the shoreside, charges apply when the machine is working.
An early start meant the first few miles were in darkness. Initially along the main road then onto the tarred access road to the Sloy dam, an easy straightforward approach.
The start of the hill section is highlighted by a cairn at the side of the road.
Pic taken on return off hill.
Leaving the main road it’s a steep ascent, eroded path, washed out and boggy sections await until the path improves higher up. Views over Loch Sloy are obtained in the initial climb.
Pushing on, the views only get better – Loch Lomond and it’s islands catching the most attention.
The path eventually tapers out to become a less relentless, enjoyable ascent.
Onwards to the trig and the summit cairn just beyond, sadly the clag came in within seconds of reaching the summit.
Returning on the same route, the descent of the lower section was a slippy one!
A great morning on the hill and well worth the early start! 👍
Back in the Kayak 👍
With a forecast of calm waters and no precipitation, the kayak was loaded up to head to Colintraive for the start of the journey.
The Kyles of Bute is a stunning place to paddle and well frequented by numerous watercraft.
The Burnt Islands provide a great locus for the resident seals, they’re certainly not shy as the launch themselves to come and check you out! Perhaps keeping you company for a while too.
Once through the islands a crossing to Caladh Harbour is a must, the sheltered area used by yachts to drop anchor.
This crossing in particular was a tad misty yet still enjoyable.
Next stage was to head for Tighnabruaich where the community jetty provides the perfect stop off to visit the village. I opted to call into the cafe for a coffee and a generous portion of chocolate brownie, sheerly to restock on energy for the return leg.
The colourful village
Coffee and cake consumed it was time to return to Colintraive, the surrounding hills providing a stunning backdrop.
A wee stop off on Bute at the Kayak stop prior to Colintraive.
A few wee locations, all offering something different.
** Please take your litter home, leave any site as you found it, if not better**
OFF GRID:
Ardentinny: Semi Rural – Large
Coastal-Forestry Walks/Cycles-Forestry Toilets (seasonal), no drinking water.
Loch Eck, Dornoch Point: Rural – Small
Lochside-Kayak-No facilities.
B836,Loch Tarsan: Rural
No Facilities-Walking
Being absent from the Munro scene for a while, (4 years I think) whilst trying out my new tent a Munro in the morning was an obvious choice.
Setting up just as it was getting dark, hoping the forecast for the next day was going to be accurate.
The morning, as promised was was a bright one.
After packing up a short drive to the parking area at the start point for Meall nan Tarmachan. Due to the high altitude start point this is a short walk and ascent for a Munro – ideal as a reintroduction.
A short section on an unsurfaced road followed by a well defined path to the summit. A short steep section prior to the summit is the most demanding but not to strenuous.
There is an option to extend the route to include a circuit of the ridge, maybe next time!
Explore Cowal 