Beinn a' Chrùlaiste (857m) 31st May 2009

Beinn a' Chrulaiste

The mighty Buchaille Etive Mor

The car was parked at a lay-by on the A82, just passed the junction with the Glen Etive road, and I began walking at 3pm. It was an extremely hot afternoon and I was soon hot and sweaty. I enjoyed the views of Buchaille Etive Mor towering above, and of Meall a' Bhuridh, as I walked along the minor road which led towards the Kingshouse Hotel. Just before the hotel a locked gate blocked the road to vehicular traffic and a boggy path started from here. It climbed the moor by the side of the Allt a' Bhaliach and provided a convenient means of ascent. After a while I left the path and ascended the south south east ridge of Beinn a' Chrùlaiste. This had rocky outcrops to avoid and was rather boggy underfoot, but amazing views opened up over Rannoch Moor and the Bridge of Orchy hills. I came across an intermittent path higher up and I followed this to the summit, which was reached at 4.50 pm. The view from the trig point was fantastic: Ben Nevis, the Mamores, Ben Alder, Scxhiehallian, the Bridge of Orchy hills, Bidean nam Bian, Beinn a' Bheithir, Meall Dearg, Meall a' Bhuridh and the stageringly impressive Buchaille Etive Mor were all in view. I stayed on top until 5.15 pm as I couldn't take my eyes off the beautiful scene before me. However, I couldn't stay up there forever, so I retraced my steps to the car. This I reached at 6.50 pm, so the whole walk took a total of 2 hours and 50 minutes.

The Bridge of Orchy hills and Rannoch Moor

The Buchaille from the summit of Beinn a' Chrulaiste

Ben Nevis

Buchaille Etive Beag and Bidean nam Bian

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