Ardgour Wild Camping Trip

11-13 June 2021

The weather forecast was changing daily on the lead up to the camping trip to Ardgour. By the time of departure, it was looking favourable for the Friday and Saturday, albeit windy. Sunday was forecast for higher wind, low cloud, and drizzle.

Sandy set off earlier in the week to climb Beinn Resipol, before catching the ferry to Rum to tackle the Corbetts on the island. The plan was to meet up at Callop on the Friday evening. On my way over of Friday, I climbed the Corbett Stob Coire a’ Chearcaill, starting from the shores of Loch Eil. This was a fine walk up the defined ridge of Braigh Bhlaich before curving round the stunning Coire Chearcaill to the trig point and slightly higher cairned summit.

DHC Campsite

The two of us then met up on the track from Callop heading SSW to Cona Glen, at the base of Meall na Cuartaige. A windy and midge-free night was had at the temporary DHC campsite.

Stob Coire a’ Chearcaill

After a hearty breakfast on Saturday morning, we both set off down the track to Cona Glen. Luckily for us crossing the Cona River proved to be extremely easy although many reports say that it can be impassable after heavy rain. We then climbed up the gully between Meall Mor and Druim Tarsium before turning right along the knobbly ridge to the fine summit of Stob a’ Bhealach Sgriodain.

This is where we parted company. Sandy retraced his steps to the bealach before experiencing quite a bit of descent and reascent to reach the Graham Stob Mhic Bheathain. My next target was Sgurr Ghiubhsachain.

Sgurr Ghiubhsachain

This was followed by a steep, tricky descent through rock slabs to the grassy bealach before the third Corbett of the day Sgurr Craobh a’ Chaorainn.

Sgorr Craobh a’ Chaorainn

We woke on Sunday to find the cloud right down and raining consistently. The decision was made to make a hasty retreat from our camping spot and head for home after a very worthwhile and enjoyable trip to stunning Ardgour.

Graham Neish