Beinn Uird

30 July 2015

Participants: Just me
Where: Beinn Uird, 597m/1957', Sub-2k Marilyn, Map 56, NS 399985

I had been putting off climbing Beinn Uird as all reports suggested that it was very rough. And it was! The ground also contained traps of the natural variety, 3 times my leg disappeared into a wet hole. And when descending, I almost stepped on an adder so the day was not without interest.

I approached by way of the Ben Lomond path until I was almost level with the col between Lomond and Uird. A view of some of the Arrochar hills.....

and the lower part of Loch Lomond with its numerous islands.....

I took this photo of Beinn Uird from the point where I left the path. Looks innocuous but looks can be deceptive.....

A mix of rough grass and heather made for slow progress but at least the midges and flies stayed away. Ben Lomond from part way up.....

It was one of these hills where the top never seems to come and when it did the cairn was a bit underwhelming......

Ben Lomond dominates the view (above) but there is also a fine array of peaks on the horizon.....

Needless to say, I had the hill all to myself from the time that I left the Ben Lomond path until the time that I re-joined it. So a hard won "tick" but it won't be getting a second one!

Leagag

15 July 2015

 

Participants: Just me

Where: Leagag, 601m, 1,972', Sub-2k Marilyn, Map 51, NN 519539

 

July and August are not my favourite months for hillwalking- heat, midges, flies etc., but it was such a good day that I just had to go and climb another Marilyn that had been on my "wanted" list for some time. Leagag sits above Bridge of Gaur at the west end of Loch Rannoch and is only a few metres short of Graham height. I took a couple of photographs of it from the other side of Loch Rannoch.....

 

 

 

There was plenty of space for parking at the village hall and the track started directly opposite. The hill didn't look particularly inspiring from here.....

 

 

but the views soon started to appear. This is looking back to the start with the Ben Alder hills in the background.....

 

 

After a couple of miles, the route leaves the main track for a rough path going round the side of the hill. The path was obvious although there was a large cairn marking the turn off just in case you missed it. This was new country for me and it was providing different perspectives of familiar hills. This is the southern aspect of the Munro, Meall Buidhe which is climbed from Glen Lyon.....

 

 

There was a huge flat area of land round the south side of Leagag (seen in the above photo). I spotted a herd of deer- possibly about a couple of hundred beasts. Obviously good stalking country hereabouts......

 

 

I left the path just after seeing the deer and headed diagonally up the hillside aiming for a grassy ramp in the direction of the highest point. The underfoot conditions were good, a mix of grass and short heather and it wasn't long until I spotted the cairn. Another magnificent viewpoint! I'll let the photos tell the story.

 

The Black Mount and Glencoe.....

 

 

 

Loch Rannoch with Schiehallion to the right.....

 

 

Loch Rannoch again.....

 

 

 

Ben Alder with a glimpse of Loch Ericht.....

 

 

A telephoto shot of Ben Nevis, the Mamores etc......

 

 

A great wee hill, but it needs a good day.