We are planning to walk the West highland way in June and as a diversion for rest days Climb Ben Lommond and Ben Nevis. We were intending to climb Ben Lommond from Rowardennan and descend North west to Inversnade. I understand There are steep corries to the North West and North of the summit, but is there a reasonable hiking or scrambling route to the North west. Would be grateful if anybody can help

olepetemercury

olepetemercury wrote:We are planning to walk the West highland way in June and as a diversion for rest days Climb Ben Lommond and Ben Nevis. We were intending to climb Ben Lommond from Rowardennan and descend North west to Inversnade. I understand There are steep corries to the North West and North of the summit, but is there a reasonable hiking or scrambling route to the North west. Would be grateful if anybody can help

olepetemercury

Descending to Inversnade? There's a big fucking glen inbetween... I suppose you mean descending to Cailness. The corries you mean are on the North and Northeast side of the summit; Coire a Bhathaich and Coire Fuar. If you're descending down north to the WHW, they are of little worry to you, unless you've got visibility issues.

Descend down to Bealach Buidhe (the saddle just west of Ben Lomond) and turn right here (to the west - the trail you used to walk up) Here you go off-trail, and you should keep to the right at all times. (there are a few crags west of this hill) Here you can descend into the Cailness Glen. Make sure you turn a bit right (North) when you hit the treeline, because the Cailness burn will enter a gorge. Half a mile north is a forestry road where you turn left into Cailness and the WHW.

Another option is to walk the "ridge" to Cruinn a' Beinn (the hill 2 km north of BL) and turn to the Northwest for the forestry road (this is a bit of a craggy maze) When you hit the forestry road; turn left for Cailness.

Always carry a good map and a compass in Scotland; definitely if you're not familiar with the terrain. GPS is optional. If the weather is shite - read below 200-300 meters visibility; descend the way you came, there is a bothy at Rowchoish, about 7 km North of Rowardennan where you can spend the night.

Recommended reading; OS Landranger 56; Loch Lomond and Inveraray

Enjoy your trip to Scotland

Cheers,
Clint.