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Last updated:
09/01/13
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Hills: Beinn Dearg Mor and Beinn Dearg Bheag Date: Friday 18th June 2010 Company: Just me Time: 11Hrs 20Mins Distance: c.31km Ascent: c.1830m Dog friendly: No Last night I packed my tent, and all the associated paraphernalia, for a trip to Fisherfield. After lifting the rucksack, I instantly changed my mind and instead decided to just go in and out for a day. Walking is much more enjoyable with a light pack. In previous visits to Fisherfield/Letterewe, I have went in three times from Poolewe and twice from Corrie Hallie. Today, for a change, I opted to go in from Gruinard. I parked on a verge near Inchina. Room for several cars on verge. Click here to see a map of the route undertaken Today the air was filled with birdsong. Cuckoos were cuckooing and sandpipers were piping. Dragonflies and damselflies were darting about chasing each other. I found the five mile walk-in, alongside the River Gruinard, really pleasant. Gruinard River: 
Gruinard River: 
Looking across Gruinard River towards An Teallach: 
As I walked along the track, a dragonfly landed beside me. Unusually, by the time I got the camera out and powered it up, the dragonfly was still there. Golden-ringed dragonfly: 
I took to the hillside a few hundred metres after crossing the bridge over the Allt Loch Ghuibsachain. Beinn Dearg Bheag above 348m top: 
I ascended towards the 348m top but skirted round the highest point. Looking back along Gruinard River towards starting point: 
Sail Mhor (zoomed): 
An Teallach across Loch na Sealga: 
En-route to the 392m top, I stopped for a look in the lochan. I also skirted round the highest point of the 392m top. As I approached closer to Beinn Dearg Bheag it started to look quite intimidating – seriously steep and craggy. Really steep ridge of Beinn Dearg Bheag above 392m top: 
An Teallach: 
I started ascending a wet grassy gully. I could see no human footprints only deer tracks and soon began to question if I was on the correct route. I wasn't happy so I descended back to the base and instead made my way up the crags. The scrambling didn't last long and the ascent became much easier. I was overtaken by a couple who had biked in from Gruinard and we met again at various points throughout the day. Ascent of Beinn Dearg Bheag: 
Looking back towards 392m and 348m tops: 
Loch na Sealga: 
Sail Mhor across Loch na Sealga: 
I reached the summit ridge without too much difficulty. The following section, leading towards the summit, does involve scrambling (some avoidable and some unavoidable). I wouldn't recommend this route to anyone who doesn't like scrambling or exposure. Cairn marking start of summit ridge: 
Ruadh Stac Mor and A'Mhaighdean: 
Ridge: 
Looking back at down-climb: 
Next hump on ridge: 
Looking back along ridge: 
Beinn a'Chasgein Mor: 
Looking towards summit of Beinn Dearg Bheag: 
Was glad that there was an easy by-pass round the next bit. Looking back at avoidable down-climb: 
I spent a short time at the summit speaking with the couple who had overtaken me earlier. Looking back along ridge from summit of Beinn Dearg Bheag: 
The descent from Beinn Dearg Bheag towards Beinn Dearg Mor was really straight-forward as was the ascent of Beinn Dearg Mor. Beinn Dearg Mor and Loch Toll an Lochain: 
Beinn Dearg Mor from bealach: 
Sgurr Ban, Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair and Beinn Tarsuinn: 
Beinn a'Chlaidheimh: 
During the ascent of Beinn Dearg Mor, I misjudged my current height and was pleasantly surprised to reach the large summit cairn when I thought I still had about another 100m of ascent to go. Approaching summit cairn of Beinn Dearg Mor: 
Looking down towards Shenavall: 
Beinn Dearg Bheag from Beinn Dearg Mor: 
The nearby pinnacle was so tempting, I had to get my photo taken on it. It is much easier than it looks. Myself on pinnacle near summit: 
Pinnacle near summit: 
After a quick bite to eat, I returned to the col between Beinn Dearg Mor and Beinn Dearg Bheag and then descended into Coire Toll an Lochain. Approaching Loch Toll an Lochain: 
Beinn Dearg Bheag from Coire Toll an Lochain: 
Loch Toll an Lochain had quite a number of really large tadpoles in it. Tadpoles in Loch Toll an Lochain: 
Beinn Dearg Mor from Coire Toll an Lochain: 
Beinn Dearg Bheag: 
The descent towards Loch na Sealga is quite steep but straight-forward. Loch na Sealga: 
The track alongside Loch na Sealga is not fantastic. At one point I lost the track and ended-up trying to wade through thigh-deep bracken. I felt relieved to reach the end of Loch na Sealga but was disappointed that the boat house, marked on the 1:25000 map, is no longer there. Loch na Sealga: 
The five mile walk from Loch na Sealga back out to Inchina was quite sore on the feet. During the walk out a sandpiper was flying alongside me from rock to rock. Common Sandpiper: 
Looking back towards Beinn Dearg Bheag and Beinn Dearg Mor: 
Really enjoyed this walk, albeit it was a long one. |
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