Hills: Cnoc a'Bhaid-rallaich, Beinn Ghobhlach
Date: Sunday 23rd May 2010
Company: Myself and Beinn
Dog friendly: Yes
Time: 4Hrs 15Mins


I have wanted to climb Beinn Ghobhlach for a number of years. Today I finally got round to it. Beinn Ghobhlach is very close to Ullapool, as the crow flies. It used to be possible to take a short ferry trip across from Ullapool to Altnaharrie to get to this hill. Unfortunately, the ferry no longer operates so it is now necessary to drive round to Badrallach (nr Dundonnell) to ascend this hill. There is parking for around 10 cars at the road-end at Badralloch. I set off nice and early this morning and was walking by 07:15. It started off a really nice morning.

Sail Mhor across Little Loch Broom:


An Teallach across Little Loch Broom:


Ardessie across Little Loch Broom:


Little Loch Broom:


I opted to initially head for Cnoc a'Bhaid-rallaich (a nearby Marilyn). To get to Cnoc a'Bhaid-rallaich involves ascending around 500m of steep grassy slopes. There are various sandstone outcrops above 400m which can be easily avoided.

Ascent of Cnoc a'Bhaid-rallaich:


Looking back to lochans and 338m top:


Little Loch Broom and Summer Isles:


I initially made for the 517m top before heading over to the summit of Cnoc a'Bhaid-rallaich. Cnoc a'Bhaid-rallaich from 517m top:


Approaching summit of Cnoc a'Bhaid-rallaich:


Beinn at summit of Cnoc a'Bhaid-rallaich:


The visibility and views up to this point were pretty good, however, this was about to change as cloud began to cover the hills. The cloud started off above 550m. Within a period of 2 hours it dropped to 100m. From the summit of Cnoc a'Bhaid-rallaich we made for Loch a'Bhealaich. This is a nice wee loch with a small sandy beach.

Approaching Loch a'Bhealaich:


Beinn in Loch a'Bhealaich:


Beinn Ghobhlach was now smothered in cloud. I ascended to the summit, hoping the cloud would lift. It didn't. Very disappointing not to get views North towards Ullapool, Ben Mor Coigach and beyond.

Summit cairn and shelter of Beinn Ghobhlach:


In the summit shelter:


We returned from the summit to Loch a'Bhealaich, re-ascended to the 517m top of Cnoc a'Bhaid-rallaich and from there back to the car at Badralloch. I had to get the compass out so visibility must have been bad! The next photo is again looking across to Sail Mhor (as per first photograph).

Where has Sail Mhor gone?

After ascending these hills I drove back to Ullapool to pick up the family. I then drove round to spend some time at Achnahaird beach before ascending Meall an Fheadain. Beinn Ghobhlach was my 499th Marilyn, Meall an Fheadain would be my 500th

Hills: Meall an Fheadain
Date: Sunday 23rd May 2010
Company: Myself, Carole, Becky and Beinn
Dog friendly: Yes


We parked in a lay-by at the beginning of the track leading to the radio transmitter on Meall an Fheadain. Unfortunately, it was misty throughout so I didn't take many photos.

Radio transmitter on Meall an Fheadain:


We eventually made it to the summit albeit at quite a slow pace - Becky managed under her own steam (up and down).

Family photo at trig point on Meall an Fheadain:


Carole, Becky and Beinn on rock near summit of Meall an Fheadain:


Myself, Becky and Beinn on rock near summit:


Again disappointing lack of views but I do intend re-ascending this one again in the near future.