Beinn Bharrain
1
NR872441 This one is really away from the crowds. Park in the small car park opposite the village shop (which has some lovely cakes!). Follow the road on its immediate right, which runs behind and left then uphill between two fields. As the road curves left, take a sharp right-turn into the woodland onto an interesting path. Head west, uphill alongside the sound of the river on a faint track that feels wrong, but it’s not. Cross a small stile, a small stream and a pretty rotten deer fence, eventually leaving the trees to continue uphill through open, boggy ground. Keep the river to your right, passing the falls then a split and you will be channelled via an obvious track to a crossing point further upstream.
2
NR882441 Cross the stream and then continue to handrail the river on your right-hand side to a small dam, where the track on the other side meets the river. This is usually shallow but can be affected by rainfall.
3
NR887439 If the river is in spate, and you’re not feeling it, continue upstream until you find a safer crossing point. Never cross anywhere that doesn’t feel safe. I crossed at NR891440 (between the 280 & 290 contours) for this reason. After crossing, aim for the furthest right-hand spur, on the west side of Coire Roinn. The path can be easy to miss initially but it’s pretty straightforward ground and you just want to aim up the centre of the broad ridge to the summit of Caisteal na h-Iolaire.
4
NR895422 Once you are on the top, the route is pretty simple. You’re on a broad ridge with some ups and downs. The first obstacle you come to is a small, steep sided outcrop which is easily tackled, followed by a bit of an awkward descent with some slabby ground and a climb to Mullach Bhuidhe. It’s important to bear right at the summit to avoid going back on yourself via the eastern ridge of Coire Roinn, which has some scrambling terrain. After passing the cairn, it’s a descent then ascent to Beinn Bhreac, via a broad and gently rightward curving ridge with not a lot of options for getting lost. Just stay on the ridge, passing over the summit and back down to a split which offers two descent options.
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NR905450 From the split above Coirein Lochain, bear left (west/ north-west) to the more exciting descent at Meall Biorach. Keep right as you approach the nose of the ridge.
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NR898455
Pick up the occasionally broken path that weaves its way downhill. There are a few moments where you might have to have a quick check to get back on the path. Just don’t stray too far either to the left or right but keep a
roughly north-west line until an obvious dog-leg leads you north-east towards the Lochan outflow.
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NR899460 You now have a lovely, well made and obvious path back down to the road and the wonderfully named settlement of Thundergay. I hear that there may be some dispute as to this spelling, but it sure looks good on the map. The path leads you between some houses before exiting onto the road, where you might get lucky and catch a bus. Otherwise, it’s a session of pavement slapping all the way back to the car. Just make sure to turn left at the road or it might be a long day.