Hills: Meall Tairbh and Ben Inverveigh
Date: Friday 6th February 2015
Company: Just myself
Distance: 12.1km, Ascent: 650m
Time: 4Hrs 35Mins


It had been my intention today to visit Ardgour or Morvern but as the weather forecast was suggesting drizzle and low-cloud West of Loch Linnhe and good weather to the East of Loch Linnhe, I needed an East of Loch Linnhe plan. I opted to drive to Inveroran near Bridge of Orchy to ascend Meall Tairbh (a Fiona).

The drive through Glencoe this morning was outstanding. Bidean nam Bian and Buachaille Etive Mor looked extremely tempting but these are hills I would not attempt when the avalanche risk is "considerable" as it was today.

I parked circa 100 metres along the road from the Inveroran Hotel where there is room for a few cars. I didn't have a fixed route in mind for today as it was a real last-minute option. All going well, I fancied ascending neighbouring Ben Inverveigh as well as Meall Tairbh. Ben Inverveigh is a Fiona Top and HuMP. It fails to make the Fiona list as it only has a 144m drop.

Click here to see a map of the route undertaken

View from start of walk beside Inveroran Hotel:


Despite being -8C at the start, the snow on the lower slopes was not consolidated. Instead of nice crisp neve, it felt more like walking through treacle.

Ben Inverveigh:


During the initial ascent, I passed numerous deer. All hinds, no stags.

Deer:


Looking back to deer:


As I gained more and more height the views got better and better. Meall Tairbh may not be the most interesting of hills but it is a fantastic viewpoint.

Looking back towards inversion-covered Loch Tulla:


Black Mount hills:


Ascending Meall Tairbh:


Looking back towards Loch Tulla:


During the ascent, I tried to work out which hills I was looking at. Ben Lui was very prominent at various stages of the walk. It is a fantastic hill.

Ben Lui (zoom):


Ascending Meall Tairbh:


The Glencoe hills looked incredible today. Possibly worth a visit tomorrow depending on weather and avalanche forecasts.

Glencoe Munros:


Looking back:


Ben Lui wasn't the only great looking hill today. The Cruachan hills, including Ben Cruachan, Stob Diamh and Taynuilt Peak looked enticing!

Ben Cruachan hills:


The hills behind Ben Inverveigh started to come into view on reaching the level ridge leading to the summit of Meall Tairbh. I would however get better views of these hills from Ben Inverveigh.

Looking across to Ben Inverveigh with Ben Dorain and Beinn an Dothaidh behind:


Looking towards Ben Lui:


Before visiting the summit cairn, I visited another potential summit/high-point.

Looking towards the summit of Meall Tairbh from another nearby high-point:


At the summit of Meall Tairbh:


The views from the summit were excellent. A great day to be out on the hills.

View from the summit of Meall Tairbh:


From the summit of Meall Tairbh, I made my way down to the col between Meall Tairbh and Ben Inverveigh. Much of the walking was now hard neve however the slopes were fairly gentle so I did not need crampons.

Descent to col en-route to Ben Inverveigh:


Ben Lui:


At the col I went to the edge of Lochan Coir' Orain to take a photo of the lochan.

A frozen Lochan Coir' Orain:


The ascent of Ben Inverveigh was nice and easy.

Ascending Ben Inverveigh:


As expected, I got nice views of the Bridge of Orchy Munros from Ben Inverveigh.

Bridge of Orchy hills from Ben Inverveigh:


I visited both cairns at the summit area before continuing along the NNE ridge back towards the start.

At the summit area of Ben Inverveigh:


View from Ben Inverveigh:


Descent along NNE ridge of Ben Inverveigh:


Looking down to A82:


On reaching the 546m top of Ben Inverveigh I started my descent towards Inveroran. There are several TV aerials at the 546m top!

Loch Tulla:


Instead of sticking to the track, I decided to take a more direct route back towards the hotel. This turned out to be hard work. I should have stuck to the track.

Descent to Inveroran:


A fantastic short day on the hills .