Beinn Lagan

4 November 2013

Participants: Neil and Ben
Where: Beinn Lagan, 465m/1,526', Sub-2k Marilyn, Map 56, NS 120996

I hadn't found many reports about this one and when I saw it, I could see why!

It is surrounded by trees, not the nice variety with plenty of space between them like I encountered on Meall Alvie but the real conifer deal, thick forest with lots of fallen timber. I had managed to find out that there had been a bit of tree felling going on on the eastern slopes so that was where I aimed for. I parked in a wee car park just over the bridge at Strachurmore, reached by a minor road from just south of Strachur village. At least I had found the right hill.....

We took the clockwise route round the hill on a good track. After about two miles, the track emerged into an area of clear fell. This is looking back down the way we had come, the colours were still great although I expect that they won't last for much longer. There was a frost this morning which usually heralds the end of the leaves.

At the highest point of the track, which in fact is the col between Beinn Lagan and Carnoch Mor, we struck up the hillside. The clear fell bit was murder; it was twice as bad coming down trying to avoid standing on slippery bits of wood and falling into holes concealed by rushes. Above that was some very steep grass but we eventually emerged onto the plateau. The trig was only a short distance away, perched on top of a small knoll.....

Up here, we were above all the trees and, thank goodness, the views were worth the effort. There was a pass through the hills to the east which contained the Cowal Way and which led through to Loch Goil; this is looking at that area and the Graham of Beinn Lochain, which I have still to do.....

Further round was the Corbett of Beinn Bheula with a bit of cloud on it's top. I did that from this side many years ago.....

To the south there was a glimpse of the Clyde and the hills around Loch Eck.....

And to the west we could see Loch Fyne.....

The Paps of Jura appeared on the distant horizon, I seem to have seen them many times this year. Maybe next year I will get a close up view!

I always like to see as much of the countryside as possible when I'm away walking so rather than return home over the Rest and be Thankful, I drove down Loch Eck to Dunoon and got the ferry across to Gourock. It was worth it if only for this view of the Cowal hills from the boat.....