Hidden Munro is the secret star of a wonderful show

It’s hard to find but this climb brings rewards

For me, Beinn nan Aighenan has to be one of Scotland’s most awkward Munros. It’s difficult to spell and even harder to pronounce, but toughest of all is just getting to the hill – it’s among the most remote in west Scotland.

It’s hidden away between Glen Etive and Glen Kinglass, tucked behind its more famous and frequently visited northern neighbours, the Munros Ben Starav and Glas Bheinn Mhor.

It’s probably most often climbed – certainly by fitter Munro-baggers – as an addition to these other hills, from the Glen Etive side. It’s certainly the route by which I first climbed it. It’s a there-and-back from the bealach after Ben Starav if you’re tackling the hills anti-clockwise from Coileitir.

Allow a couple of hours for the extra 4.5km (2.8 miles) and 550m (1,805ft) of ascent this will add to your day. Beinn nan Aighenan is not a hugely distinctive hill.

Its summit is pleasingly rocky on ascent when approached from the north side, but I think the best way up is from Glen Kinglass. It’s a much longer route – but a bike cuts greatly into the distance.

When combined with its Etive neighbours, these grander, more aesthetically pleasing hills steal the limelight. Beinn nan Aighenan becomes a bit of a hassle, an afterthought – something to be ticked because, well, you’re there and you might as well. From the Glen Kinglass side, however, lonely Beinn nan Aighenan is the star of the show.

The other advantage of this route is it avoids the hordes that descend on Glen Etive every weekend. Ben Starav in particular attracts big crowds, meaning parking can be difficult at the start of the route.

While Ben Starav and

Glas Bheinn Mhor’s slopes are heaving, you’re likely to have Beinn nan Aighenan all to yourself.