Beinn nan Ramh from Incheril

Incheril below the Black Carls of Beinn Eighe

The small village of Kinlochewe sits by the southern end of Loch Maree and on the junction on the A832 where the A896 heads off towards Glen Torridon.

Just to the east of Kinlochewe and on the A832, a sign points to Incheril from where a narrow road heads over the Abhainn Bruachaig and 700m further on reaches its end by a large car-park surrounded by birch trees.

Kinlochewe has most of the services needed by visitors including a petrol station, hotel, bunkhouse, shop, café and public toilets.

Heading up the Heights of Kinlochewe track

From the parking area at Incheril, the road is followed briefly passing a house to reach a gate. Through a side gate, a fine, smooth estate track then heads into the Heights of Kinlochewe, following the Abhainn Bruachaig upstream through open glen scenery.

After around 4km, the track passes a couple of houses and reaches a junction . The left-hand branch leads towards Gleann na Muice and Loch Fada in the remote Letterewe wilderness; instead, the right-hand branch is taken, passing another building before crossing a bridge over the Abhainn Gleann na Muice. The track then climbs gently, crossing a second bridge before reaching the ruins at Leckie , framed by Fionn Bheinn behind.

Ruins at Leckie with Fionn Bheinn beyond

Ruins at Leckie with Fionn Bheinn beyond

On the stalkers' path, Beinn nan Ramh comes into view

By the bridge, a series of muddy vehicle tracks lead northwards and directly up the hillside, climbing steeply at first and gaining just over 100m of height. These tracks merge with the older stalker’s path , which traverses slopes while climbing more gently from Leckie.

The gradient eases as the route continues across open moorland, trending north-east. As the ground levels slightly, Beinn nan Ramh comes into view ahead. After around 2km from Leckie, the track dips into wetter terrain before fading into grass and heather near two small burns , which are easily crossed.

From here, a rather tedious ascent continues north-east across broad, featureless slopes, climbing roughly 350m over around 2km. In mist, navigation can be challenging due to the lack of distinct landmarks. As height is gained, views gradually improve, and the summit crest is reached near the remains of an old gate and the start of a very faint path.

Beinn nan Ramh's summit cairn with views to the Coulin mountains

Beinn nan Ramh's summit cairn with views to the Coulin mountains

The return is most likely to be made by retracing the outward route. Views are more rewarding on the descent, with Slioch, Letterewe and the Fisherfield hills prominent.

Beinn Eighe dominating the view ahead on the return

Beinn Eighe dominating the view ahead on the return

The original intention had been to approach Beinn nan Ramh from the east via the estate track near Achnasheen, descending to the southern shores of Loch Fannich and giving a more scenic line of ascent. This route had been used many years ago without access issues. On a more recent visit, however, access to the track was blocked by a substantial locked gate set within a high deer fence.

Gates blocking access to the Loch Fannich track

Gates blocking access to the Loch Fannich track