Beinn Sgulaird from Loch Creran
Hillwalking route from Druimavuic up steep grass slopes and over minor tops to Beinn Sgulaird's Munro summit, with option to hike to Corbett Creach Bheinn.
Route outline
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| Corbetts | ||||
| Ascent | 1280m (4190ft) | |||
| Distance | 11km (7m) | |||
| Time | 5:00hr* | |||
| Start/finish | Druimavuic, Loch Creran Grid Ref : NN008450 | |||
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Above Loch Creran at the head of Appin rises Beinn Sgulaird, its many summits guarding the approaches towards Glencoe and the lands beyond Benderloch.
This hillwalking route from Druimavuic climbs steep grassy slopes before continuing over several minor tops to reach Beinn Sgulaird’s Munro summit. The outing can be extended to include the nearby Corbett Creach Bheinn.
Much of the ascent is on grass-covered ground where a faint path can often be traced. Higher up the terrain becomes rougher, with several areas of boulderfield to cross. Although there are no narrow crests or significant drops on this approach, navigation on the higher ground can be challenging in mist.
This hillwalking route from Druimavuic climbs steep grassy slopes before continuing over several minor tops to reach Beinn Sgulaird’s Munro summit. The outing can be extended to include the nearby Corbett Creach Bheinn.
Much of the ascent is on grass-covered ground where a faint path can often be traced. Higher up the terrain becomes rougher, with several areas of boulderfield to cross. Although there are no narrow crests or significant drops on this approach, navigation on the higher ground can be challenging in mist.
Route map
Route description
1. Getting to Loch Creran and Druimavuic
Starting up Beinn Sgulaird
The A828 connects Fort William to Oban, on which Loch Creran sits halfway along it's length.
A road bridge crosses the narrows at the western end of the loch with roundabouts on either side.
From the southern of these two roundabouts, drive up following the southern shore of Loch Creran for 3km and park in a layby by an electronic road sign powered by a small windmill and solar panel.
A road bridge crosses the narrows at the western end of the loch with roundabouts on either side.
From the southern of these two roundabouts, drive up following the southern shore of Loch Creran for 3km and park in a layby by an electronic road sign powered by a small windmill and solar panel.
2. Beinn Sgulaird's southern summit
Beinn Sgulaird from 863m summit
Walk south-west back along the road for 100m to a driveway off left (south) and begin hiking up a fine track through some forestry.
After leaving the forestry behind, continue uphill and reach a small cairn aside the track at around c150m
. There's a path to the left on the grass heading directly up the hill - from here you can see a large erratic boulder higher up which looks as if it could just roll off the hill.
Follow this path up to the boulder then continue a bit further to reach the top of a little summit
with a cairn on it at 488m.
On this summit, the path appears to hug the south-east edge above a drop on scree, it then heads off north - stick with it, it does return to the bealach ahead and avoids any slight difficulties.
Cross a fence and continue gaining height on a path up Beinn Sgulaird's southern summit, with the path becoming more indistinct further up.
There are several false summits on the way - Beinn Sgulaird's southern summit
(only referred to as a spot height of 863m on maps), is gained just after passing a tiny lochan.
After leaving the forestry behind, continue uphill and reach a small cairn aside the track at around c150m
. There's a path to the left on the grass heading directly up the hill - from here you can see a large erratic boulder higher up which looks as if it could just roll off the hill. Follow this path up to the boulder then continue a bit further to reach the top of a little summit
with a cairn on it at 488m. On this summit, the path appears to hug the south-east edge above a drop on scree, it then heads off north - stick with it, it does return to the bealach ahead and avoids any slight difficulties.
Cross a fence and continue gaining height on a path up Beinn Sgulaird's southern summit, with the path becoming more indistinct further up.
There are several false summits on the way - Beinn Sgulaird's southern summit
(only referred to as a spot height of 863m on maps), is gained just after passing a tiny lochan.3. Meall Garbh and Beinn Sgulaird
Beinn Sgulaird's summit from Meall Garbh
From Beinn Sgulaird's southern summit onwards, the path becomes more obvious - follow it north-east, down over bouldery ground to a bealach. Over grass-covered ground for a bit, then up some rough terrain, the path leads towards Meall Garbh 
.
Beyond Meall Garbh's summit, more bouldery ground is descended continuing north-east to another grassy bealach. The final ascent up Beinn Sgulaird lies ahead with the fine path tracing a route uphill, passing a little lochan just before reaching the summit
.
Beinn Sgulaird has a large cairn and is a fine point for taking in some superb views.
. Beyond Meall Garbh's summit, more bouldery ground is descended continuing north-east to another grassy bealach. The final ascent up Beinn Sgulaird lies ahead with the fine path tracing a route uphill, passing a little lochan just before reaching the summit
. Beinn Sgulaird has a large cairn and is a fine point for taking in some superb views.
4. Return to Loch Creran
Erratic boulder on the way up Beinn Sgulaird
There are various routes for return, including a direct descent down to Glenure farm in Glen Creran below, which is followed by a a walk along a road aside the River Creran
If however you decide to opt to return by the route up, you'll be rewarded with fantastic views all the way out to Jura, Mull, Morven and beyond as you descend.
If however you decide to opt to return by the route up, you'll be rewarded with fantastic views all the way out to Jura, Mull, Morven and beyond as you descend.
5. Detour to Creach Bheinn
To follow soon (needing decent pics as was rather claggy when I was here !)
GPX downloads and maps
Paper maps:
OS Landranger 50
OS Explorer 384
Harvey Mountain Map, Ben Nevis and Glen Coe
Route profile
Weather forecasts
| Regional | MWIS - Western Highlands |
| Peak specific | Mountain Forecast.com Met Office YR.no |
| Seasonal | SAIS - Glencoe Midge forecast |
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* Times shown are estimates – see timing notes on the disclaimer page for more information.
