Over The Hill

The short walk of 1½kms along a good track from the roadside to the footbridge spanning the Allt Coire Chreachainn is just enough to loosen up the legs before the long, steep climb up the broad grassy east ridge of Sron an Isean, the northeastern outlier of Stob Daimh. The early stages of the climb are punctuated by a series of small rocky knolls, which you can either scramble over or detour around, whichever way you choose still requires some sections of steep assent, either on grassy edges or rocky outcrops; there is no denying it, the ascent of this ridge takes some effort.

The gradient eases beyond the 650m height as the ridge narrows and the steep sides drop away to the rivers flowing through the deep glens on either side; ahead, through the swirling mist we get glimpses of the eastern crags of Stob Daimh, and to the north, Beinn a'Chochuill is surprisingly clear of the hanging mist that seems to linger forever as we reach the minor top of Sron an Isean, at 966m a fine viewpoint to the distant Loch Etive and Ben Starav.

Beyond Sron an Isean a short descent to the bealach is followed by a rough rocky ascent to the summit cairn on Stob Daimh, and increasingly clear skies as finally the mist lifts to leave us with the spectacle of the Cruachan ridge and Ben Cruachan looking magnificent as it dominates the views westwards towards The Isle of Mull.

The final top in this trio of mountains marking the eastern end of the Cruachan ridge is the rocky Stob Garbh, another very worthy top standing at 980m, and forming the southern outlier of Stob Diamh; from here, a long, grassy ridge curves south east, which, together with Sron an Isean's east ridge form a great bowl around Coire Chreachainn at the centre of which stands Stob Diamh, an impressive sight, especially when viewed from the lower reaches of the coire as you regain the tracks around the old quarry workings at the confluence of the Allt Coire Ghlais and the Allt Coire Chreachainn.

Again, another great day and a wonderful walk - Thanks Lawrie.