Date: Thursday 24th September 2020
Company: Myself and Ann-Marie
Distance: 13.7km, Ascent: 1240m
Time: 6Hrs 45Mins
On Thursday morning, I met up with Ann-Marie at Druimavuic for an ascent of Beinn Sgulaird. We set off walking shortly before sunrise.
Click here to see a map of the route undertaken
From Druimavuic, we followed the excellent track ascending Coire Buidhe for circa one kilometre before starting our ascent of the SW ridge leading to the 488m top. A small cairn marks the start of the SW ridge.
On the SW ridge leading to the 488m top:
The views looking back towards Loch Creran got better and better as more height was gained.
Looking back to Loch Creran at sunrise:
I was pleased to find an obvious path leading up the SW ridge, beyond to the 863m top, and then all the way the summit
.Beinn Sgulaird and the 863m top from the 488m top:
It didn't take long to reach the summit of the 488m top and after dropping just over 30 metres, we continued on towards the 863m top.
Loch Creran from the 488m top:
As we made our way up towards the 863m top, we got great views across to the Ben Cruachan hills.
Ben Cruachan range:
Seeing the ridge leading out to the summit confirmed a few ups and downs lay ahead.
Ridge leading out to the summit of Beinn Sgulaird:
On reaching the 863m top we stopped for a drink and to admire the views.
View from the 863m top:
While the ridge leading out to the summit is rocky in places, I didn't need to put hand to rock.
Beinn Sgulaird from the 863m top:
The views kept getting better and better the nearer we got to the summit. We could see the Cruachan range to the south, lovely views across to the hills of Ardgour and Mull and Rum to the west, to our north we could see Ben Nevis, the Mamores, Beinn a' Bheithir, Bidean nam Bian, the Aonach Eagach ridge, the Buachailles, the Black Mount hills, and to the east the Glen Etive hills, including nearby Beinn Trilleachan, and the Ben Lui hills in a stupendous 360 degree panorama.
View towards the Buachailles and Black Mount hills:
Looking back to the 863m top during ascent of the 848m top:
Beinn Sgulaird:
Looking back to the 848m top:
Black Mount and Glen Etive hills:
I stopped numerous times en-route to the summit to take photos.
View back towards Loch Creran:
Glen Coe and Black Mount hills:
Black Mount and Glen Etive hills:
Cruachan range hills:
Final ascent of Beinn Sgulaird:
View over Beinn Fionnlaidh towards the hills of Glen Coe and Black Mount:
On reaching the summit we stopped for around twenty minutes to have some food, a drink, and to take lots of photos.
View from the summit of Beinn Sgulaird:
Myself atop the summit of Beinn Sgulaird:
From the summit we decided to return via the same route rather than undertaking a circuit as despite this involving yet more ups and downs there would be a path to follow.
Loch Creran view in descent:
Loch Creran view in descent:
On getting back to the van and car we had a quick cup of tea and coffee and I then made my way back north to spend the evening at the Moray coast. On arriving in Findhorn, I was treated to a lovely sunset.
Findhorn sunset:
A good day out.