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Sgor na h-Ulaidh (994m, Munro 149)
Beinn Fhionnlaidh (959m, Munro 198)

1550m (5,150ft)
17.5km (11m)
running :2:30hr, walking : 5hr

Invercharnan, Glen Etive (NN143483)

OS landranger 41 and 50
main route summary
Beinn Fhionnlaidh and Sgor na h-Ulaidh are less frequented by visitors compared to their more famous and more visually attractive neighbours. Both have hidden craggy sides, however, an excellent track from the east in Glen Etive makes them very accessible - a cycle is recommended, especially for the freewheel back at the day. The hills' position close to Loch Linnhie will reward hillwalkers that make the journey to the summits with superb views westwards.


main route outline

Getting there
On the A82 that travels from Tyndrum to Fort William, just before approaching Glencoe and just after the turn off for the Kingshouse hotel, there is a single track road that heads south down Glen Etive. This area is a favourite with canoists, so can be busy when wet ! Head down this road for 11km to where a bridge crosses the Allt Charnan, just before which there is of road parking for a few cars. If full, it is possible to park on the verge opposite the entrance to Invercharnan.

Sgor na h-Ulaidh
Head up the track for 3km, past Invercharnan, into the forest and to where the track takes a sharp turn right. Leave bikes here and follow a wet path heading of left (nnw) to the deer fence enclosing the forest. Now on wet ground, follow a faint path across gradually rising grassy ground on the east side of the Allt nan Gaoirean. The path eventually disappears - just continue northwards towards Bealach Clach nam Meirleach. You'll come across a line of fence-posts, follow these until you see an obvious worn path heading up some scree on your left. Head up this and climb uphill, rejoining the line of fence-posts to follow to the summit. There are a couple of bits of easy scrambling on the way. The summit cairn is perched above quite a dramatic drop northwards and fine views are to be had in most directions.

Beinn Fhionnlaidh
Return to Bealach Clach nam Meirleach by the route up, then follow the fence-posts down to the wet ground at the watershed. Particularly in wet conditions, don't follow the fenceposts directly up Beinn Fhionnlaidh's north-eastern shoulder - crags and rocky outcrops will hinder progress. Instead head south from the watershed and gradually gain height by following the baseline of a rough rockface. At around c600m, turn west up steep grassy ground around the rocks, heathery further up, and rejoin the crest of the north-eastern shoulder. The posts continue to a minor top, from where a path heading west down to a bealach is followed. At the bealach the posts take a sharp turn south-west - leave them and continue west along the path up some scree then grass. A couple of tricky, but relatively easy moves are required to negotiate two rocky gaps, after which the summit is only a few minutes further on. Fine views from the trig point.

Return
Retrace your steps back to the bealach and where the fence-posts turn south-west, head down south over grassy ground and start turning south-east, dropping slightly. Pick up the path coming down from the eastern summit and head down to the bealach before Meall nan Gobhar. From here, a fine path heads east following the burn down to the forest. Wet ground is crossed to the gap in the forest, where the path is picked up to return back through the forest to your bike. Enjoy a freewheel back to Invercharnan.

Zoomable OS 1:50000 and 1:25000 maps are here


alternatives

Sgor na h-Ulaidh from Glencoe
Heading into Sgor na h-Ulaidh from Glencoe follows a good track, but take the wrong way and you could end up heading up some difficult ground.

At the western end of Glencoe on the sharp corner of the A82 there is space for a few cars to park on the north side. Cross the bridge and head up the track marked with a sign for the farm and cottages. 3km further up, the track turns around some forestry, then a path follows the east bank of the Allt na Muidhe. Follow this for 2km, then cross the burn and head up to Bealach Easan, then turn south and head up towards Corr na Beinne, picking up fence posts on the way. Follow the fence posts to the summit. Past the summit, keep to the obvious path, turn north-east down to a bealach and up to the cairn on Stob an Fhuarain. To return, head north and drop 150m of height before aiming north-west to drop back down to the path on the east bank of the Allt na Muidhe.

Ascent : 1150m, distance : 12.5km


Beinn Sgulaird with Beinn Fhionnlaidh, Sgor na h-Ulaidh and possibly Beinn Trilleachan
Starting from and finishing in Glen Etive, this is a big day out with a 5km return along road - if you were really keen, it could also be possible to include the corbett Beinn Trilleachan !

From Invercharnan, head up the track and bag Sgor na h-Ulaidh and Beinn Fhionnlaidh as described on the left. From Beinn Fhionnlaidh's summit return east to the fence-posts, then follow the posts and the burn down. It's a long trudge over grassy ground to reach Lochan na Folathen Airigh nan Lochan, then cross the burn (difficult in spate) and climb west up towards Stob Gaibhre. Pick up the path and follow to the summit of Beinn Sgulaird. Return to Stob Gaibhre, then Airigh nan Lochan and head east, then south-east to the edge of the Glenetive Forest to pick up a really mucky path down to the road where a 5km jog back to Invercharnan awaits.

Ascent : 2475m, distance : 30km


sgor na h-ulaidh and beinn fhionnlaidh