remains of outbuildings erected by the army in the war, and keep straight on along a faint boggy path which goes to the right of the wooded Tom Odhar knoll. The old stalker’s path improves as you climb to cross a couple of vehicle tracks before joining another track, marked by a small cairn (120m, 77700 81430). A little higher, fork left along a vehicle track which drops down to a bridge over the gorge of the Allt a’ Bhuiridh (35min, 125m, 77890 81340).
Climb roughly SE up the grassy slopes of Beinn Coire nan Gall. There are some boggy vehicle tracks on the slope, but they don’t tend to head in the right direction and are best ignored. Eventually reach the summit of Beinn Coire nan Gall (2hr 25min, 787m, 79220 79770). Head SSW to a small lochan (245m, 79130 79600) and climb easily up grass slopes between crags on the N ridge of Druim Fiaclach to reach the cairn on a rocky rib (2hr 50min, 869m, 79150 79170).
Follow the SW ridge of Druim Fiaclach, which has steep crags on either side, veering S to Bealach an Fhalaisg Dhuibh (745m, 78520 78560). Climb S to a small lochan then veer WSW, veering W, over a minor top and to the cairn on the summit of Sgurr na Ba Glaise (4hr, 874m, 77020 77750).
Head W, veering WNW, to the Bealach an Fhiona (701m, 76420 77980) and head W, soon picking up a wall which takes you all the way to the E summit of Rois-Bheinn. This summit has a very small cairn which includes concrete from the remains of the trig point shown on the OS map (4hr 45min, 882m, 75610 77830). If you have surplus energy you could continue along the wall to the W summit of Rois-Bheinn, which has better views out to sea. The W summit is about 3m lower than the E summit, but it is topped by a massive cairn which takes it to about the same height!
Whether or not you visit the W summit you should now retrace your steps down the wall and follow it as it veers left down steep rocky slopes. The wall disintegrates into a line of fence posts and you should continue down between the fence posts and a second wall. When the wall and fence posts rejoin, on a slight rise, turn right down to the saddle S of An Stac (5hr 15min, 565m, 76190 78500). Pick a route up the S ridge. In good visibility it should be possible to climb up grass slopes avoiding the many crags to reach the small cairn on a rock outcrop on the summit of An Stac (5hr 55min, 814m, 76300 79270).
You now need to wind your way carefully down grassy rakes through the crags on the steep rocky N ridge of An Stac to reach a broad saddle (485m, 76500 80000). It would be possible to continue over Seann Chruach, but it’s quicker to descend ENE down grass slopes to a vehicle track (at about 250m, 77200 80300) running down the glen. Turn left following the boggy track to the top of the stalker’s path (120m, 77700 81420), which is followed back to the parking area (7hr 40min).
ROUTE 10
Beinn Odhar Bheag little dun-coloured mountain and Beinn Mhic Cedidh MacCedidh’s mountain
| Start | 5km W of Glenfinnan (NM 85650 81330) |
| Distance | 13km (8 miles) |
| Total ascent | 1310m (4300ft) |
| Difficulty | All the ridges on this route are rocky and although there are grassy ways through the crags, route-finding would be difficult in mist. The ridge between Beinn Odhar Mhor and Beinn Odhar Bheag is complex and would be particularly difficult in poor visibility. There is some rough grassland to climb on the ascent and boggy terrain on the descent. |
| Time | 6hr |
| Summits | Beinn Odhar Mhor (870m), Beinn Odhar Bheag (882m, 2895ft), Beinn Mhic Cedidh (783m, 2350ft ring contour) |
| Maps | OS Landranger 40 |
| Access | Park in a large layby about 5km W of Glenfinnan on the A830 where the railway comes alongside the road on a sweeping right-hand bend. |
Beinn Odhar Bheag and Beinn Mhic Cedidh are rocky peaks in the NE corner of Moidart just W of Glenfinnan. As well as interesting ridges, there are good views in all directions. Beinn Odhar Mhor is the dominant mountain when viewed from Glenfinnan, but it is about 10m lower than its twin summit, Beinn Odhar Bheag. Beinn Mhic Cedidh was shown about 200ft lower on the 1 inch:1 mile OS maps and was only promoted to Corbett status when the 1:50,000 OS maps were published.
S ridge, Beinn Odhar Mhor
