Hill: Ben Vorlich
Date: Friday 1st June 2012
Company: Myself, Claire and Rachel


On Friday, Rachel, Claire and myself set off nice and early to attend a Moray Mountaineering Club Weekend Meet based at Cairndow. En-route to Cairndow, after a sizeable diversion due to the A9 being closed, we stopped at Inveruglas to ascend Ben Vorlich.

I last ascended Ben Vorlich in September 2004. The weather on my previous ascent was gale force winds and heavy rain. The weather on this ascent was much nicer .

Click here to see a map of the route undertaken

From the car park, next to the Inveruglas Power Station Visitor Centre, we set off along the A82.

Inveruglas Power Station:


After walking circa 600m along the road, we followed the vehicle track leading towards the Loch Sloy dam.

Ben Vane from track:


The walk towards Loch Sloy was pleasant. After walking a few kilometres, it was nice to once again see the impressive Loch Sloy dam.

I come across some interesting old photos and history here.

Loch Sloy dam:


Loch Sloy dam tunnel:


On reaching the fourth last pylon from the dam, and a cairn at the side of the track, we took to the hillside. The best track up the hill starts several metres beyond the cairn.

It was nice to ascend the hill at a moderate pace taking numerous stops to admire the views.

Rachel and Claire on slopes of Ben Vorlich:


Path ascending Ben Vorlich:


Looking back towards the Loch Sloy dam and Ben Vane:


As we gained height, we began to get increasingly good views down Loch Lomond.

View towards Loch Lomond:


On reaching the ridge, the bulk of the ascent was behind us. Thereafter it was a pleasant stroll along towards the summit.

On the ridge of Ben Vorlich:


I particularly enjoyed the view looking down to the dam.

Loch Sloy dam from above (zoom):


Claire and Loch Lomond:


Rocks on Ben Vorlich:


Looking back along Ben Vorlich’s SSE ridge:


We eventually reached the 941m trig point before continuing along the ridge to the 943m summit cairn.

Trig Point on Ben Vorlich:


We spent a fair bit of time at the summit, taking photos and celebrating Rachel’s landmark 100th Munro.

Rachel at the summit cairn of Ben Vorlich:


Looking back to the trig point from the summit:


Claire at the summit of Ben Vorlich:


Rachel and Claire at the summit of Ben Vorlich:


Rachel, Claire and myself at the summit of Ben Vorlich:


100th Munro G&T celebration:


From the summit, we continued along the ridge to the North Top of Ben Vorlich. I had not ascended this top previously.

Heading for the North Top of Ben Vorlich:


View back to the summit from the North Top:


From the North Top, we returned to the summit cairn and then to the trig point where Rachel planked the trig point and Claire also did her first plank .

Rachel planking on the trig point:


Claire’s first plank:


We then returned to the car via the same route, stopping to look at various trees, shrubs and flowers on the way back.

Loch Sloy dam during descent:


Looking back towards Ben Vane:


A great day out in superb company!