Page Type:
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Mountain/Rock |
|---|---|
Lat/Lon:
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56.65056°N / 4.95621°W |
Activities:
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Hiking, Mountaineering |
Season:
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Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter |
Elevation:
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3143 ft / 958 m |
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Overview
The Buachaille Etive Beag is situated within the picturesque area of Glencoe 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 as its sibling, although personally this is my favourite of the two. The ridge walk along to Stob Dubh is excellent and there is certainly a higher degree of solitude to be had here.
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 tables in 1997)
Stob Dubh: 958m/3143ft, Pronounced: Stop Doo, Translation: Black Peak.
 Buachaille Etive Beag under snow. |
 The Buachaille's from Glen Etive. |
 The Buachaille Etive Beag from Glencoe. |
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: 5 to 7 hours
Getting There
Airports
For arriving in Scotland and making your way to Glencoe, the best airports to arrive in are;
Car
From Glasgow take the A82 road via Loch Lomond northbound direct to Glencoe.
From Inverness take the A82 southbound via Fort William direct to Glencoe.
From Edinburgh take the M9 to Stirling, then take the A84 Callander road, becoming the A85 until merging with the A82 northbound road at Crianlarich then on to Glencoe.
Rail, Bus or Ferry
Traveline Scotland - A one stop shop for all of the above
 Buachaille Etive Beag from the Aonach Eagach. |
 Beag's ridge from Stob Dubh. |
 The summit of Stob Dubh. |
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
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
 Loch Etive from Stob Dubh. |
 Buachaille Etive Beag over Allt Lairig Eilde. |
 Looking into the Lairig Gartain. |
Where to stay
The best place to base yourself for climbing Buachaille Etive Beag is in or around the Glencoe area. Below is a selection of available accommodation;
Hotels
Lodges & B&B's
Hostels & Campsites
Caolasnacon Caravan & Camping Park
Wild Camping
Wild camping is totally legal in Scotland and can be done in various locations in Glencoe. This is due to the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 that was mentioned earlier. Here are some of the basic rules that should be adopted when wild camping;
- The larger the group, the harder it is to keep impacts to a minimum. Keep groups small.
- Camp as unobtrusively as possible.
- Remember that noise travels from tents disturbing wildlife as well as humans.
- Enjoy the freedom of wild camping without leaving a trace of your passage. Protect our country's outstanding scenery and wildlife as well as the wilderness experience.
- Camping on the same spot harms vegetation. Aim to move frequently and do not stay for any longer than 3 nights in the same place.
- Lighting fires poses a high fire risk on peaty soils and close to tinder dry grass. A high risk of fire can exist at any time of year, and not just in times of drought.
- Watercourses and loch sides are important sites for birds and animals. Take extra care when camping near burns and lochs, and try to avoid camping immediately beside them.
- Always find a spot at least 30 metres from fresh/running water when going to the toilet.
- Bury excrement in a small hole (not under boulders). A trowel or ice axe can be used to lift a flap of turf.
- Remove all litter (even other peoples!) Think ahead and only carry in what you are prepared to carry out.
Maps and Books
Books
Central Highlands by Peter Hodgkiss
The Munros by Donald Bennet & Rab Anderson
The Corbetts and Other Scottish Hills by Rob Milne & Hamish Brown
The Grahams and The Donalds by Rab Anderson & Tom Prentice
Glencoe Climbers Guide by Rab Anderson, Ken Crocket & David Cuthbertson
Highland Scrambles South by Iain Thow
Ski Mountaineering in Scotland by Donald Bennet & Bill Wallace
Hostile Habitats by Mark Wrightham & Nick Kempe
Scottish Hill Names by Peter Drummond
Ben Nevis & Glencoe by Ronald Turnbull
Maps
OS Explorer 384 - Glencoe and Glen Etive
OS Landranger 41 - Ben Nevis: Fort William & Glencoe
Harvey Superwalker Map - Glencoe
Mountain conditions
The weather conditions in Glencoe can alter rapidly and you should ensure you are fully prepared for all weather eventualities. The following websites will provide invaluable information on the expected conditions for your planned trip;
Mountain Weather Information Service - West Highlands
Mountain Forecast - Pap of Glencoe
Met Office Mountain Forecast - Southwest Highlands
Scottish Avalanche Information Service - Glencoe
As stated, the peaks in the Glencoe region sit close to the west coast of Scotland. This can have a strong affect on the conditions on the mountains and it is a regular occurrence for Glencoe to experience its very own weather system and for it to totally differ to the weather in the nearby towns and villages. More detail can be found on the reasons for this occurrence on Proterra's article: Mountain meteorology of Scotland.
External Links
Outcrops on Stob Coire Raineach.
Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland
Heading For The Scottish Hills
The Scottish Mountaineering Club
1 Routes