Ardgour Corbetts from Glen Scaddle

Car park by Inverscaddle Bay

The route begins at Inverscaddle Bay, located on the western shore of Loch Linnhe, just a few miles north of Corran Narrows.

For those traveling from the Central Belt, the most direct route involves crossing Corran Narrows via the ferry. After disembarking, continue north on the A861 for approximately 6 km. Be aware that much of this road is single track. The ferry fare for cars is £10 one-way (as of 2024).

If you're coming from the east or north, you can bypass the ferry by taking the A830 towards Mallaig when approaching Fort William. At the western end of Loch Eil, turn south onto the A861 and follow it for about 25 km to reach Inverscaddle Bay.

Before reaching the bay, the River Scaddle and Cona River converge, with the road crossing them via a bridge. Parking is available just south of this bridge, where a rough area serves as an informal parking spot by the track leading into Glen Scaddle.

Sgurr Dhomhnuill and Carn na Nathrach from Glen Scaddle

From the car park, head west along a tarred road, crossing a cattle grid with a deer-stalking information sign. After passing a few houses, the road becomes an estate track and leads to a gate by some woodland.

Beyond the gate the track travels through a field that may contain livestock and continues into a forest. After about 5km from the roadside, the track reaches a turning circle , thereafter becoming much rougher but is still suitable for cycling. Through dense forest for 4km or so, the track emerges then crosses the River Scaddle to its northern bank.

Tighnacomaire by the River Scaddle

Tighnacomaire by the River Scaddle

Bridge over the Abhainn Ghleann an Lochan Duibh

Standing by the fence, the grass-covered slopes of Carn na Nathrach dominate the view ahead. Aside the fence-line a faint path leads by the River Scaddle towards a small patch of trees, within which lies a bridge crossing the Abhainn Ghleann an Lochan Duibh.

Cross the bridge, and follow the path until it begins to curves around the southern base of Carn na Nathrach. At this point, leave the path and start the ascent up Sron Beinne Mheadhoin's gentle slopes directly ahead. Initial progress is a bit of a pain due to thick grass and occasional marshy areas, but the terrain becomes easier with height gained and hiking gradually becomes very pleasant while heading westwards.

After approximately 4km from the bridge, a minor summit is reached, with Carn na Nathrach's summit directly ahead. Only a stretch of undulating ground with rocky outcrops remains before reaching the summit.

On Carn na Nathrach's summit looking to Beinn Resipol

On Carn na Nathrach's summit looking to Beinn Resipol

Sgurr Dhomhnuill and Druim Garbh from Carn na Nathrach's summit cairn

If the weather is favourable and the goal is simply to bag Carn na Nathrach, the best option is to retrace steps along the ridge. Stunning views of Ben Nevis are ahead as progress is made.

If aiming for Sgurr Dhomhnuill, you may consider heading south from Carn na Nathrach's summit and approach via Sron Doire nan Cabar. However, the rough slopes and challenging terrain of Sron Doire nan Cabar makes for difficult route finding. Instead, about turn on Carn na Nathrach's summit and retrace your steps along the crest to the dip just before the minor summit .

At this point, there appears to be a path heading south and downhill, but it's actually the crown of a landslip. Simply head straight downhill - though steep, it's grassy and straightforward. In the glen lower down , faint traces of a path appear and disappear while heading east and following the northern bank of the Allt Gleann na Cloiche Sgoilite.

To reach Sgurr Dhomhnuill, there are three possible spurs from which to choose to ascend, all of which lead northwest. I chose the most easterly spur and found an easy, grassy rake that led all the way to the hill's crest. Once on the crest, it's a delightful hike along a gradual incline until reaching the base of the final 100m of ascent. Though the slope steepens up this, a route on grass twisting between rocks can be found to make a route all the way to Sgurr Dhomhnuill's summit crest.

Sgurr Dhomhnuill from the path in Gleann na Cloiche Sgoilte

Sgurr Dhomhnuill from the path in Gleann na Cloiche Sgoilte

Beinn na h-Uamha from the ridge below Sgurr a' Chaorainn

The path south from Sgurr Dhomhnuill's summit leads to the Corbett top of Sgurr na h-Ighinn, continuing west thereafter to Strontian Glen, therefore not ideal if aiming for Beinn na h-Uamha.

From Sgurr Dhomhnuill's summit, retrace your steps to the base of the final ascent. Continue a few metres along the eastern spur until the crest starts to turn slightly northeast. Here, turn southeast and descend the steep grassy slopes down to Gleann Mhic Phail. The descent is mostly straightforward, but some route-finding is needed to navigate around crags.

There is an impressive gorge in the glen's upper reaches. Follow this gorge downstream until you find a suitable break and cross over the Abhainn Ghleann Mhic Phail (I crossed at NM901672).

Once on the burn's southern bank, look for two prominent grassy ravines above and between crags. These lead to the ridge between Sgurr a' Chaorainn and Beinn na h-Uamha. For those interested in a detour to Sgurr a' Chaorainn (a Fiona), take the right ravine - this leads to the crest to a point where a mere 100m of ascent leads to the summit , marked by a small stone cairn.

The grassy ridge between Sgurr a' Chaorainn and Beinn na h-Uamha is dotted with rocks and lochans, which make a direct route difficult, but the overall approach to Beinn na h-Uamha is otherwise straightforward. A couple of lochans lie below the final climb, which ascends through grass and boulders to Beinn na h-Uamha's summit , marked by a rough pile of rocks. The summit offers excellent panoramic views.

Looking back to Sgurr a' Chaorainn and Sgurr Dhomhnuill from Meall nan Ruadhlag

Looking back to Sgurr a' Chaorainn and Sgurr Dhomhnuill from Meall nan Ruadhlag