ISLE OF MULL
1 MAIN RIDGE
HARD (Grade 1 scramble) ■ 5½ hours ■ 7.7km ■ 1300m
Start Knock, NM542390
Terrain Steep hillside, rocky subsidiary peaks, exposed cols, steep rocky ridge, rocky arête, stony summit
A long switchback route taking in all of Ben More’s northern outlying peaks. From Knock, climb south over Beinn Bheag to the rocky summit of Beinn a’ Ghraig. Turn south-east and descend to the broad col at the head of Scarisdale River and the Allt Beithe. From the col, climb south then west to the main summit of Beinn Fhada. Descend south to the col on the north side of A’ Choich. Continue south across the col and climb the steep narrow ridge to the summit of A’ Chioch. Descend west to the narrow col, then scramble up the north-east ridge of Ben More to the summit.
2 BEINN FHADA
MEDIUM (Grade 1 scramble) ■ 4½ hours ■ 6.3km ■ 1190m
Start Scarisdale, NM518375
Terrain Steep mountainside, steep rounded ridge, rocky summit ridge, exposed col, steep rocky ridge, rocky arête, stony summit
An adventurous approach taking in the impressive gorge of the Scarisdale River and the rocky summit ridge of Beinn Fhada. From the road, follow the south bank of the Scarisdale River east-south-east to the gorge at the junction with Allt Coire nan Gabhar. Turn south and climb the steep ridge onto Beinn Fhada. Head south-east along the summit crest to the main summit and lochan. Descend south to the col on the north side of A’ Choich, then climb the steep narrow ridge to the summit of A’ Chioch. Descend west to the narrow col, then make the superb scramble up the north-east ridge of Ben More to arrive at the summit shelter and trig point.
3 GLEANN NA BEINNE FADA
MEDIUM (Grade 1 scramble) ■ 4 hours ■ 6km ■ 960m
Start B8035 by Loch na Keal, NM506367 Terrain Steep-sided glen, exposed col, steep rocky ridge, rocky arête, stony summit
This is a superb approach below Ben More’s impressive north face. Climb south-east up through Gleann na Beinne Fada to gain the col on the north side of A’ Chioch. Turn south and climb the steep narrow ridge to the summit of A’ Chioch. Descend west to the narrow col, then make the superb scramble up the north-east ridge of Ben More to arrive at the summit shelter and trig point.
4 COIRE NAM FUARAN
MEDIUM ■ 3½ hours ■ 4.4km ■ 950m
Start Dhiseig, NM494359
Terrain Steep mountainside, shallow corrie, scree, rounded ridge, stony summit
Short and steep, this is Ben More’s trade route. Although rush hour on this Scottish island can hardly compare to Snowdon! It climbs directly south-east from Dhiseig along the southern bounding ridge of Coire nam Fuaran to gain the north-west ridge of Ben More, which leads straight to the summit. VIEW FROM THE EAST
5 MAOL NAM DAMH
MEDIUM ■ 3½ hours ■ 4.2km ■ 952m
Start B8035 by Loch Beg, NM530296 Terrain Steep ridge, steep mountainside, minor summit, narrow ridge, stony summit
A direct route from the south that takes in the fine little bump of Maol nam Damh. Climb steeply north to the subsidiary peak of Am Binnein, then swing north-west to gain Maol nam Damh. Once on the top, turn north-east and make the steep climb onto the south ridge of Ben More. Follow its crest to the summit shelter and trig point.
6 A’ CHIOCH (EAST RIDGE)
HARD (Grade 1 scramble) ■ 4 hours ■ 5.7km ■ 1008m
Start Teanga Brideig, NM564306
Terrain Steep corrie, narrow exposed col, steep ridge, rocky arête, stony summit
This is a quiet and exciting route that starts with a steep climb north-north-west through Sleibhte-coire to gain the col overlooking Glen Clachaig, from where a steep pull leads to the rocky cone of A’ Chioch. Descend west to the narrow col, then scramble up the north-east ridge of Ben More to the summit.
7 GLEN CLACHAIG
HARD ■ 5 hours ■ 10.9km ■ 1037m
Start Knock, NM542390
Terrain Lochside woodland, deep glen, steep headwall, exposed cols, steep ridge, rocky arete, stony summit
On this long approach, take the access track south-east along Loch Ba to the mouth of Glen Clachaig. Follow the path south through the glen by the River Clachaig. Midway down the glen the path crosses the river – ignore this and continue on the north bank towards the headwall. Climb steeply west to gain the col on the north side of A’ Chioch, then climb the steep narrow ridge to the summit. Descend west to the narrow col, then scramble the north-east ridge of Ben More.