The Guirdil Horseshoe
3 NG319013 From the bothy cross the Guirdil River near the outflow where it is fordable (do not attempt when river is in spate). Head south-east back up the glen following the river, initially parallel to a wooded enclosure. At the south-east corner of the enclosure, begin climbing steeply up the north-east flank of Bloodstone Hill on a pathless slope. Cross two shallow, dry gullies then in quick succession cross two burns at obvious crossing points at around 140m. Continue climbing less steeply along the flank of the hill to about 250m then follow traces of an old path, which contours around the hillside, to gain the Bealach an Dubhbhraigh
(260m). By a small lochan join the old pony path that winds its course from Malcolm’s Bridge, over the Bealach a’ Bhraigh Bhig and around the head of Glen Guirdil to Bloodstone Hill.
4 NM321997 Turn right (northwest) along the pony path and soon begin climbing steadily. The path drops a little to cross an area of boggy ground before climbing again to reach the pillow lava-capped summit. Exercise caution as summit drops away to sheer cliffs on the hill’s north-west flank. The views on a clear day are spectacular; Canna and Sanday lie supine across the Sound of Canna with Barra and South Uist beyond; while the saw-toothed profile of Skye’s Black Cuillin looms to the north-east. Retrace your steps to the Bealach an Dubh-bhraigh.
5 NM321997 From the lochan on the bealach, follow the pony path south-east for 400m as it skirts around the head of the glen before leaving the track to climb just west of south along the pathless north-east ridge of Sron an t-Saighdeir. The 275m climb on an even, steep-ish gradient on boggy, tussocky, rock strewn terrain is not the most enjoyable of climbs, but it presents no difficulties. The broad, boulder-strewn plateau of Sron t-Saighdeir (523m) is marked with a cairn and there are fine views along the ridge to Orval’s summit and the Rum Cuillin to the south. From the summit cairn, continue south-east then north-east along the grassy ridge, with a little up and down before climbing a short way to the rounded summit of Orval, which is marked with a cairn and a