Crianlarich Mid Week

Chris Low
10 hours ago
2 min read

28 & 29 April 2025

Despite booking in early December the Crianlarich Youth Hostel was almost full on the last weekend in April, so this event was moved to Monday/Tuesday. This proved something of a blessing, because the weather over the weekend was atrocious as John had to endure, along with the ultra-endurance runners departing the youth hostel at 04:00 for Fort William! While Monday was still a little damp, Tuesday was glorious.

On Monday, Gary, Sandy, Ruth and Steve bagged a pair of Graham’s just southeast of Dalmally on the road to Oban. The first, Meall nan Gabhar had a stiff climb the last 200 metres, to allow us to stomp around in the cloud, before descending a gentle ridge to neighbouring, Beinn Bhalgairean.

Meanwhile, Bob ascended the Corbett Beinn nan Imirean in the mist and rain. Starting from Auchessan in Glen Dochart, the initial ascent was fine but higher up the clag and occasional rain got worse and my compass came out for the descent off the summit down the complex SW ridge. A flat boggy trudge for a couple of km eventually reached a good track down to Inverhaggernie farm and the A85.

Jane probably chose the most sensible walk, given the weather, a small hill, Meall Buidhe, in Glen Ogle. Possibly the best thing of the day for most of us was hearing the first cuckoos of the season!

Tuesday dawned bright and sunny. Unfortunately, Sandy had to return to Banchory. Bob and Gary chose Beinn Stacath, a Corbett in Glen Buckie, following the Right of Way path for a couple of km – dodging some Highland cows blocking the track - before crossing the burn and heading up the east ridge to the top. They returned to their starting point by descending the N ridge and then NE to drop into the valley. Jane climbed Creag Mhor from the same starting point as Bob and Gary.

Meanwhile Ruth indulged Steve in his first Munros in the Ben Lawers National Nature Reserve. So good were the conditions, that after Beinn Ghlas and Ben Lawers itself, we skirted back under the north face of Beinn Ghlas, to go over Meall Corranaich, and then all the way out to Meal a’ Choire Leith. A long day but rewarded with stunningly clear views, all round.