Luinne Beinn and Meall Buidhe from Inverie

Approaching Inverie on the Western Isles ferry

North-west of Fort William, the mainland peninsula of Knoydart overlooks the Sound of Sleat towards Skye. No roads reach this rugged land, therefore access is either via one of the long paths from Kinlochhourn or Glendessary to the east or via the passenger ferry sailing from Mallaig (see Western Isles Cruises).

There is a thriving community in Knoydart, with most of the activity based in Inverie. From camping to bunkhouse and guest house, there are various places to stay, there's a shop, café and post office along with the Old Forge Inn - Britain's remotest pub !

More information on places to stay and eat can be found on the VisitKnoydart website.

Luinne Bheinn from Loch an Dubh-Lochain

From the pier at Inverie, head south-east down the main street, pass the pub, houses, café and converted church to a right-of-way sign pointing to Barisdale.

The track pulls away from the coastline , travels around the Knoydart Foundation and begins to climb through woodland and forestry. Exiting the woodland through a gate, the track drops slightly and turns around and below a mound with a monument .

Over the next 7km, the track travels up Gleann an Dubh-Lochain, passing Loch an Dubh-Lochain and climbs up to the saddle of Mam Barrisdale.

Approaching the highest point on the pass , look to the right (east) and you should see a vague path heading uphill. Follow this as it climbs a few metres then meets with an intermittent line of old iron fenceposts crossing soggy ground.

Follow a damp path aside the fence posts for a distance of around 500m, then turn east and aim directly up the grass covered slopes above. Climbing around 100m, the level ground to the south of Bachd Mhic an Tosaich is gained, across which a path travels.

Approaching Luinne Bheinn's summit, Sgurr a' Choire-bheithe ahead

Approaching Luinne Bheinn's summit, Sgurr a' Choire-bheithe ahead

On Meall Buidhe's eastern top, looking back to Luinne Bheinn

Leave Luinne Bheinn's summit behind and continue along its crest following a worn path. Over, or perhaps around its subsidiary eastern top, drop down following the path to a fairly flat grass-covered area at around c850m .

The path aims towards Mam Unndalain, so instead, turn south-west away from the path and desend on wet, grass-covered and occasionally steep ground to pick up some old iron fence posts at the next col, Bealach a' Choire Odhair .

A path forms which continues along the wide undulating ridgeline ahead, by-passing the minor summits of Meall Coire na Gaoithe'n Ear on its eastern side and Druim Leac a'Shith on its western side. Beyond these tops, the path drops to another col, Bealach Ile Coire , around where some interesting rock strata can be found.

Meall Buidhe's summit from the east

Meall Buidhe's summit from the east

Returning along Meall Buidhe's crest

The return along Meall Buidhe's western shoulder towards Inverie gives a wonderful ahead, though for the easiest terrain, at some point a drop into Gleann Meadail will need to be made to avoid boggy terrain.

From Meall Buidhe's summit, hike westwards following a very obvious path along the hill's crest. While losing around 200m, the path drops to a bealach, beyond which a grassy rise leads to the minor summit on An t-Uiriollach .

Returning to the track back to Inverie

Returning to the track back to Inverie

Looking back to Meall Buidhe from bridge over the River Inverie

Beinn Bhuidhe is a long-ridged Corbett hill on the opposite side of Glenann Meadail from Meall Buidhe. Bagging this hill's summit could be made as a detour from Meall Buidhe which adds in around 450m of ascent, or, as described below, done on its own as a there-and-back hike from Inverie.

From Inverie, follow the route above to the monument , then turn down the track to cross the Inverie River and head eastwards towards Gleann Meadail, passing Druim Bothy. After crossing the Allt Gleann Meadail , keep on the track as it traces the northern bank of the burn through the glen for around 2km.

At a height of around 250m , cross the cross the Allt Gleann Meadail onto its southern bank at a suitable point (may be difficult or even impossible in spate) and begin to strike uphill heading southwards. Faint paths are found as a burn with some interesting gorges is followed up steep slopes to the Mam Uchd pass between Beinn Bhuidhe and Meall Bhasiter.

Beinn Bhuidhe's summit trig in mist (better weather next time !)

Beinn Bhuidhe's summit trig in mist (better weather next time !)