Meall a’Bhuiridh (pronounced Mowl a vooree) is located within the northern area of the Black Mount Hills Range. The Black Mount Range runs from Loch Tulla and Loch Dochart in the south to the River Etive and the Kingshouse Hotel, at the start of Glencoe, in the north.

Meall a’Bhuiridh (translation: Hill of the Roaring Stag) stands at a height of 1108m/3635ft and is the highest peak within the Black Mount Range. This peak is classified as a Munro and is number 45 in the Munro heights table.

Meall a’Bhuiridh can be climbed from the south via Stob Ghabhar
in a route over the entire range known as the Clachlet traverse (2 days or a very long day) or from the north via a route that follows the eyesore of the chairlifts and tows of the Glencoe Ski Centre (approx 4-6 hours).

It should be noted that if you intend to cross Meall a’Bhuiridh’s western ridge that connects to Creise(1100m) and Clach Leathad(1098m) to add these summits to your day, that this ridge is steeper and narrower than indicated on the maps and crampons are essential in winter as this section is prone to bad icing.

During the skiing season you could ascend/descend via the chairlifts, however I would advise going when the skiing season is over and when there is still plenty of snow on the slopes, giving you the pleasure of an entire ski slope to yourself. Whether you are an actual skier or a trainee tobogganist in waterproofs like me, you will enjoy the descent.

Glencoe Ski Centre

Top section of the peak/ski centre

Glencoe ski centre opened in 1960 and was the first commercial ski-ing operation in Scotland. Today, it is probably not as frequented as it has been in the past with the opening of newer and more up to date operations, but the open corrie above Coire Pollach still holds an excellent amount of snow into the middle of Spring if the snow has been heavy enough over the winter months. The start of Glencoe ski centre is only 1km away from the A82 road and from there a serious of ski lifts and tows will take you to within 5 minutes walk of the summit cairn.

Getting There

Looking over the Black Mount

CAR

From Glasgow take the A82 road via Loch Lomond northbound direct to Glencoe ski centre at the start of Glencoe.

Glencoe can also be accessed from Stirling, Perth or Edinburgh by joining the A85 road and following this until joining the A82 northbound.

RAIL

From Glasgow Queen Street station take the West Highland Railway line to Bridge of Orchy. From here, you could hike towards the south of the Blackmount or hike/hitch/catch bus the remainder to the Kingshouse in Glencoe. Train timetables are available here

BUS

A bus service runs daily from Buchanan Street bus station in Glasgow to Fort William, via Glencoe, and then to the Isle of Skye. A full timetable is availablehere

Red Tape

There is no access charges or problems associated with this peak, although if you wish to cheat, during the skiing season only, and use the chairlifts (tut, tut), then there will be a minimal cost incurred.

Accommodation

Early stage of a mountain stream.

Creise and Stob a'Ghlais Choire

The two best possible places to base yourself if attempting this peak, which are dependant on your chosen route are; Bridge of Orchy and Glencoe.

Bridge of Orchy

There are two hotels in Bridge of Orchy. There is the Inveroran Hotel at the foot of Loch Tulla and there is the Bridge of Orchy hotel
Wild camping is permitted by any of these two hotels.

There is also a bunkhouse Bridge of Orchy bunkhouse

Glencoe

There are two hotels in Glencoe. Clachaig Inn and Kings House hotel. Only the latter hotel allows wild camping within their grounds as long as you are well behaved and to be honest has an excellent spot for this.

There is also the following campsites/hostels
Glencoe Independent Hostel
Red Squirrel Campsite
Invercoe lodges and campsite
Glencoe Youth Hostel

Books and Maps

Extract Harvey's Map:Glencoe. Red=Ascent/Descent, Blue=Optional extra peak

Books

The Central Highlands by Peter Hodgkiss
Scottish Hill and Mountain Names by Peter Drummond
The Munros by Cameron McNeish
The Munro Almanac by Cameron McNeish
Scottish Mountains on Ski by Malcolm Slesser
The Scottish Peaks by W. A. Poucher

Maps

Harvey Superwalker Map: Glencoe
OS Explorer Map sheet: 384 Glen Coe & Glen Etive
OS Landranger Map sheet: 41 Fort William & Glen Coe
OS 1:25 000 scale sheet 94: Glen Coe, Rannoch Moor & Crianlarich

Mountain & Weather Conditions

Clach Leathad + Meall a'Bhuiridh from the south

The weather conditions in the Black Mount can alter rapidly and you should ensure you are fully prepared for all weather eventualities. If you experience a sudden deterioration in the weather conditions and you have any doubts about continuing then please, just turn back.

Mountain forecast
Avalanche forecast

General weather forecast

Images



[ View Gallery - 9 More Images ]