Glen Lochy Approach

Page Type Page Type: Route
Location Lat/Lon: 56.39771°N / 4.81158°W
Additional Information Route Type: Hiking, Mountaineering
Seasons Season: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Additional Information Time Required: Most of a day
Additional Information Difficulty: Moderate
Sign the Climber's Log

Overview

Rocky outcrops of Ben LuiRocky outcrops of Ben Lui

Beinn Laoigh (translation: Hill of the calf) is one of the finest mountains within the Southern Highlands of Scotland and definitely the best of the peaks in the Glen Lochy Hills range. Although not the best side of approach for this peak, it is a quick route and offers the chance to combine the Munro peak of Beinn a’Chleibh (translation: Hill of the Chest) to the days hike.

Beinn Laoigh's height and splendid shape make it stand out above all of the other neighbouring peaks and rivals Ben Cruachan in the affection of many hill lovers. It has five well-defined ridges radiating out from the twin topped summit of which there are four corries between.

Approx time taken: 5 to 7 hours (both peaks).

Getting There

Cloudy connecting ridge
Car

From Glasgow take the A82 road ,via Loch Lomond, until reaching Crianlarich.

From Perth or Edinburgh take the A84 road on the outskirts of Stirling, via Callander, to Lochearnhead. Continue straight on as the road now becomes the A85 until reaching Crianlarich.

From Crianlarich, follow the A82 towards Tyndrum. Turn left just after Tyndrum onto the A85 Oban road and follow for roughly 5 miles until reaching a small parking area on the left(GR239278).

Train

Glasgow Queen Street station direct to Tyndrum.
Scotrail info

Bus

A bus service runs daily from Buchanan Street bus station in Glasgow to Fort William, via Tyndrum.
Scottish City Link info

Route Description

Beinn a Chleibh long NW ridge
Above the forest

Starting from the small car park, make your way south-west through the grass towards the River Lochy, where an obvious break in the forest on the other side can be clearly seen. You will have to ford the river, which when in spate can be quite tricky as the stepping stones across are nowhere to be seen. Having crossed the river check that the coast is clear before darting across the railway line. Having now completed the two major hazards, the hike now begins proper!

Follow the obvious path through the forest, south east firstly, then east, staying on the northern side of the Eas Daimh river. The path leads all the way to the end of the forest, where a deer fence/style on the southern side of the river can be seen that leads onto the mountainside. The path through the forest is unbelievably boggy, this is probably one of the boggiest places that I have been to, and it hadn’t been raining that much in the prior week to me being here.

Follow the faint path next to the deer fence south, heading upwards, until the path levels out and an obvious path shows the way to the bealach between Ben Lui and Beinn a’Chleibh. Again the path is fairly moist underfoot, but is straightforward enough.

Once at the bealach, head in a south-west direction along the path if climbing Beinn a’Chleibh first. The path is well defined and leads directly to the summit cairn.

For Ben Lui, head along the path east-north-east. The path is good for most parts, but does, on occasion fade as it weaves its way through the rock scattered all over the surface. Careful navigation is essential in cloudy conditions. After a steep climb, you will reach the top of the Central Gully in between the twin summits. The summit to the right(south-east) is the true summit.

Descend via the ascent route or by the following route Via Glen Cononish (Gully to ridge of Stob Garbh)

Books and Maps

Beinn Laoigh MapImage provided courtesy of Ordnance Survey UK and Northern Ireland

Books

The Southern Highlands by D.J.Bennet.
Scottish Hill and Mountain Names by Peter Drummond
The Munros by Cameron McNeish
The Munro Almanac by Cameron McNeish
The Munros (SMC Hillwalker’s guide) by Donald Bennet.
Scottish Mountains on Ski by Malcolm Slesser
Southern Highlands (pocket mountains) by Nick Williams.

Maps

Harvey Superwalker Map: Crianlarich
OS Explorer Map sheet : 364
OS Landranger Map sheet: 50

Mountain and Weather Conditions

The weather conditions in the Glen Lochy Hills can change quickly and you should ensure you are fully prepared for all weather eventualities.

Mountain forecast

Avalanche forecast

Tyndrum weather forecast

Brief western summit view

Essential Gear

Summer conditions: Backpack, walking boots/trainers, hat, gloves, water, food, waterproofs(your in Scotland you can bet it is going to rain at some point), map, compass, first aid kit, penknife, spare socks, walking poles can be good to ease the jarring on the old knees and your camera.

Winter conditions: All of the above and ice axe, crampons, helmet and rope.

External Links

Misty Summit
South east ridge of Ben Lui

Visit Scotland

Discover Scotland

Undiscovered Scotland

Walk the Highlands

The Scottish Mountaineering Club

Munro Magic

Crianlarich & Tyndrum history

Tyndrum Tourist Info Contact

West Highland Way

Ben Lui Conservation

Beinn Laoigh plane wreckage

Hill Phones

Deer Stalking Scotland

Buachaille.com

Parents 

Parents

Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. For example, theAconcagua mountain page has the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits' asparents and is a parent itself to many routes, photos, and Trip Reports.