Beinn Dubh Airigh

25 May 2013

Participants - Neil and Ben
Where - Beinn Dubh Airigh, 459m/1,506', Sub-2k Marilyn, Map 55, NM 958035

I would not have climbed Beinn Dubh Airigh were it not for the Internet. This Marilyn is part of a low lying group of hills between Loch Fyne and Loch Awe and is a long way from the nearest road. However, my research revealed that there was a Forest Drive between the two lochs that passed within a mile of the foot of the hill. And even better, the hill could be climbed without getting tangled up in acres of conifers. So after contacting the FC Argyll area office to check that the Drive was open, I set off.

The Drive started at Auchindrain, a few miles south of Inverary. The surface was good and although there were obviously on-going forestry operations, I didn't come across any forestry vehicles. My objective came into view.....

After about 6 miles, and at the highest point of the Drive, I parked the car in a very convenient off-track space.....

My route started immediately opposite- into the forest along a rough 4WD track. After about 200m, I came to a stream where the track forked and where I turned south-west and followed the stream along a much rougher forestry ride. However there was really only one obstacle- a fallen tree not far from the start of the ride and after about another 300m or so I emerged onto the open hillside. There were three hillocks ahead and I aimed for the central one which was crowned by a huge boulder. When I reached the top of this the trig on Beinn Dubh Airigh came into view ahead.....

There were lots of lochans between the hills; I passed this one on the way to the summit.....

The top was crowned by a fine looking old trig, much more acceptable than the usual concrete thing. Here is Ben at the trig with the Arrochar hills in the background.....

I could see Loch Awe with Ben Cruachan beyond it.....

and the Island of Scarba out west.....

It was a bit hazy but I could also just make out the hills of Mull and Jura. All the while I was hearing the sound of a cuckoo; spring had finally arrived. It was also quite warm so I got out of the wind just below the trig and sat around for a while. Ben unusually was also content to sit around. He is normally keen to be off and running all the time but as he hadn't been on a hill walking expedition for a while he was probably a bit tired. Here are a couple of pics of him at the trig.....

So another enjoyable day in a less frequented area. I only saw one other car on the Forest Drive, it doesn't seem to be particularly well advertised. But without it I would not have had Beinn Dubh Airigh on my Marilyn list.