The Buachaille Etive Beag is situated within the picturesque area of Glencoe / Argyll and sits directly west of its brother the Buachaille Etive Mor. Due to the attraction of the latter the Buachaille Etive Beag does not get the same noteriety that it probably deserves.

There is a slight similarity between both hills when viewed from the A82 road through Glencoe but the real resemblence to their relation is better defined when both are viewed from Glen Etive.

The translation of Buachaille Etive Beag (pronounced: booachil etiv bek) is Small Herdsman of Etive. Beag meaning small and Mor in the brother peaks name meaning big.

The Buachaille Etive Beag is basically made up of two peaks at either end of its 4km ridge with an unnamed peak in the centre. The two peaks are as follows: Stob Coire Raineach 925m/3035ft, Pronounced: Stop Kora Ran-ach, Translation: Peak of the Corrie of the Ferns (This peak was promoted to a munro in a revision of the Munros in 1997). Stob Dubh 958m/3143ft, Pronounced: Stop Doo, Translation: Black Peak.

The views from either peak on a clear day are extensive and include The Black Mount, The Mamores, Ben Nevis range and of course a close up view of the surrounding Glencoe peaks.

Approx journey time: 6 hours

Getting There

From Glasgow take the A82 road via Loch Lomond direct to Glencoe.

Glencoe can also be accessed from Stirling, Perth or Edinburgh by joining the A85 road or from Fort William by joining the A82 road southbound.

Regular buses run along the A82 road from Glasgow and Edinburgh heading for Fort William.

Red Tape

There is no red tape in Scotland due to the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 which incorporated the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. This code, which commenced on the 9th of February 2005, has established statutory rights of access to land and inland water for outdoor recreation.

The Land Reform(Scotland) Act 2003

Scottish Outdoor Access Code

The following aspects should be taken into consideration when you are in the Scottish countryside;

Seek local advice in regard to deer stalking or grouse shooting activities

Ensure that all gates are closed behind you

During the lambing season (March to May) ensure that all dogs are kept on a lead

Please refrain from feeding or annoying any animals

Limited parking space is available at the start of many routes, please ensure that you are not blocking a road and/or entrance

Parking is provided at the start of some routes by the local farmers, it is polite to ask if you can use this facility

Try to refrain from crossing fields with animals and/or crops if an alternative route is available

Ensure that you treat the local environment with care by leaving it as you found it and by taking any litter home with you

Any camp fires should be carefully watched and only used away from dense forest areas

Natural waste should be done in a hole and then buried when wild camping

Where to stay

There are two hotels in Glencoe. Clachaig Inn and Kings House hotel. Both these hotels allow wild camping within their grounds as long as you are well behaved.

There are a couple of campsites in Glencoe but personally I prefer the wild camping as it's nearer the hotels pubs which are excellent.

Maps and Books

Harvey superwalker map: Glencoe, Landranger map 41, OS map explorer 384, The munros book by Cameron McNeish page 64.

Mountain conditions

Buachaille Etive Beag is accessible all year round however, as you can get four seasons in one day in Scotland, care should be taken at all times.

Mountain weather forecast

Avalanche forecast

Buachaille Etive Beag panorama from the south.

Images



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