Beinn a' Chearcaill from Loch Maree

The small village of Kinlochewe, with its range of tourist services (including accommodation, shop, cafe, and fuel), sits on the A832 at the southern end of Loch Maree in the north-west Highlands of Scotland.

From Kinlochewe, follow the A832 north-west for approximately 9km as it runs along the scenic southern shore of beautiful Loch Maree. The road eventually pulls away from the loch, heading briefly west, and crosses the River Grudie. Just after the bridge, a thick patch of woodland appears on the left. Beyond this, a long lay-by - formed from the remains of the old single-track road - provides space for several vehicles parked in line. Note: there's limited room for turning on the tarmac surface.

On the path with Beinn Eighe ahead

From the lay-by, walk a short distance back along the road and turn up the drive toward the house at Grudie (ignore the road beginning at the locked gate - this comes into play on the return leg.) Just before the house, and almost hidden in heather, a faint path branches off on the left, heading southwest and into Glen Grudie. Follow this as it passes between two upright posts, possibly remnants of an old fence gate.

For the next 1km, the path becomes clearer as it climbs gently. If you're wearing shorts, be warned - the heather is quite scratchy ! After crossing a small burn , leave the path and strike westwards, ascending through more rough heather. At around a height of 300m, a terrace of sandstone bars the way - look for a break - nothing more than a short clamber over rock is needed to pass through.

Beinn a' Chearcaill from A' Choineach Beag

Beinn a' Chearcaill from A' Choineach Beag

Approaching the lowest point between A' Choineach Beag and Beinn a' Chearcaill

From A' Choineach Beag, the direction changes, now heading more southerly, with the broad bulk of Beinn a' Chearcaill dominating the view ahead. Some height is lost as the route threads between a few lochans and drops to the bealach between the two hills.

The terrain now grows rougher - protruding rocks, hidden divots, and heather-clad slopes make for slower going. A few sandstone terraces and crags also need to be skirted before reaching more level grass-covered ground with Beinn a' Chearcaill's summit now less than 1km away.

The flat summit of Beinn a'Chearcaill

The flat summit of Beinn a'Chearcaill

Looking south-east from Beinn a' Chearcaill's summit over to Beinn Eighe

From the southeastern end of the summit plateau, I opted for a more forgiving return by aiming for a small lochan about 1km away, which feeds a burn flowing into Coire Briste. This descent offered gentler gradients and less boulder-strewn terrain, with more grassy underfoot conditions.

From the lochan, follow the burn downhill for around 600m to a larger lochan. Here, pick up a faint path and follow it briefly until you reach a cairn marking the head of Coire Briste. At this point, a well-constructed stalker's path appears - follow this as it curves around the northern rim of the coire.

This path makes for a pleasant descent, eventually joining the original Glen Grudie path - though by now, you'll likely be reacquainted with that scratchy heather !

Cairn marking the start of the path down Coire Briste

Cairn marking the start of the path down Coire Briste