Beinn a' Bheithir via Schoolhouse Ridge

At the foot of Schoolhouse Ridge

Off the main A82 between Glencoe Village and Ballachuilish Bridge sits the village of Ballachuilish.

The local primary school is on the southern edge of Ballachuilish village, which where the route begins. However, there is limited parking here, therefore it may be better to park lower down the road by the bridge over the River Laroch.

Rougher terrain of Schoolhouse Ridge

Leave the school and follow the road south. The road becomes a track aiming further south through sheep grazing fields. After around another ½km leave the track and begin to head over grassy (and, depending on weather, slightly damp) ground uphill south-west.

The ground becomes heather covered higher up and an obvious path picks a way uphill.

The ridge begins to narrow and some easy scrambling can be enjoyed. There is really only one part with an awkward move, but all that is required is hands on rock and some care. Arrival of quartzite blocks higher up indicate the top Sgòrr Bàn is near.

Beyond Sgòrr Bhan, continue west on a path over loose gravel and scree following the rim of Sgòrr Dhearg's north-east coire to Sgòrr Dhearg .

Descending Sgòrr Dhearg's western crest back to the col

Leave Sgòrr Dhearg's small cairn and on an obvious path head westwards downhill. The path twists a route through boulders and scree and drops to a grassy shoulder. The path then drops further to the bealach between Sgòrr Dhearg and Sgòrr Dhonuill at a height of 757m.

Continue westwards initially steeply uphill following a path over grass. The ground levels out and terrain underfoot becomes more bouldery.

The path follows Sgòrr Dhonuill's narrow crest with sharp drops north into the northern coire, so take a bit of care as progress is made across the boulders. The terrain steepens and the path twists northwards and becomes a bit exposed - at this point, look to the left slightly and a route can be traced over large boulders to a nick just below the summit. A little bit of easy scrambling is needed to reach above the nick (note this bit for descent) and Sgòrr Dhonuill's summit cairn quickly appears.

Walk a little to the west of the cairn to get superb views to Sunart, Morven and Mull.

West from Sgòrr Dhonuill over Loch Linnhe to Morven

From Sgòrr Dhonuill, travel west downhill for 1km to a dip . Turn north-east and head down scree to pick up a path to the forest edge below.

Through the forest the path meets up with the track in Gleann a' Chaolais which can then be followed to St John's Church , from where a footpath can be walked along for the 1km return to Ballachuilish.