Glen Etive – July 2016

From the car park on the east bank of the Allt Charnan, pass a ‘you are here’ map signpost and duck into the woods. Following the course of the burn at a slight remove, a decent forest track heads uphill through the dense pines to emerge, after roughly 2km, in the open glen. Dead ahead is the steep outline of Beinn Maol Chaluim – and it’s obvious from here why the descent from this peak needs care (see stage 3).

Near a prominent boulder quit the path and head roughly north-east to slog up the grassy lower slopes of the mountain. Beinn Maol Chaluim takes  the form of a single long ridge crest, like the hull of an upturned boat, with the high point at the far end. Pass over the broad south-east top and continue along the ridge on an easy but spectacular stride to the summit. With the bulk of Bidean nam Bian looming to one side and the less-frequented peaks of Sgor na h-Ulaidh and Stob an Fhuarain to the other, the views are impressive.

Cliffs preclude a direct descent west, so first head north for roughly 1km, descending steep, rocky ground to reach the bealach below Bidean nam Bian. To outflank the crags below to your left, continue north along the bealach until it’s possible to drop left on grass between the rocks (good visibility helps). Once below the cliffs double back on yourself, traversing carefully south across a steep grassy slope to the narrow notch of the Bealach Fhionnghaill.

Here cut west, climbing onto the east ridge of Stob an Fhuarain. Two lines of crags cut across the lower ridge. Though it’s avoidable, the first can be scrambled up directly at a cautious Grade 1 – if in doubt a line of metal fence posts shows the way. It is best to outflank the bulk of the second crag to its left via a grassy path, though even this dodge needs a little care. Above these obstacles the upper ridge gives easier going, in a spectacular position above the north-east corrie. From the summit follow a betterdefined trail down the ridge to the col below Sgurr na h-Ulaidh. The path now zigzags steeply up the rocky north-east flank to reach the summit cairn perched on the edge of the Munro’s dramatic northern cliffs.

Retrace your steps briefly along the summit ridge, then bear slightly right to pick up the south-east ridge. This gives a fairly steep descent with rough ground and one or two brief scrambly moments. Any notable rock steps can be outflanked, and if the path is not easily spotted a line of old fence posts serves as a guide. From the base of the ridge cross a broad col, then make a long, gentle ascent through rocky knolls to reach the summit cairn of Meall a’ Bhuiridh. There is no path as such, so navigation needs to be sharp if it’s misty.

Though this minor summit is not high enough to qualify for Corbett status it has a satisfyingly little-visited feel, and almost unrivalled views over Glen Etive to the peaked profiles of Ben Starav and Ben Cruachan. To descend go roughly south. From a broad rocky shoulder at about the 600m contour bear slightly left down towards the forest edge. Just above the treeline cut hard left on a faint path contouring across a steep grassy slope, then at a right-angled corner in the wood go due east down to the track of stage 1 at the entrance to the wood.