Beinn A'Chaisteil(886m) & Beinn Nam Fuaran(806m)
Sunday 19th June 2016
15kms
7hrs 15mins
It was a damp wet morning as we left Helensburgh and drove up the lochside heading for our start point at the Auch Estate Cottages, having once again been given permission to park at the holiday cottages, thereby negating the need for roadside parking on the busy A82.
Parked and booted up we were soon making our way along the estate track, passing under the WHR viaduct and swinging south east on the uphill track towards the high bealach at the head of Glen Coralan, at which point the hard work begins as you take to the steep hillside for the ascent to the ridgeline along Creagan Liathe forming the south east ridge of our first objective, Beinn a'Chaisteil.
As we climbed above the 600m height we were encased in the grey swirling mist and drizzle that was to be the benchmark for the remainder of our high level walking, only dipping below the murk for a short period as we crossed the 546m bealach at Mam Lorn later in the afternoon. Nevertheless, the grassy ridge makes for a pleasant walk, albeit the views today were nonexistent as we gradually gained height and the summit cairn eventually came into view on the flat open top of Beinn a'Chaisteil.
Departing the summit north northeast we descended to the peat hags that stretch across the entire area of Mam Lorn, although they were reasonably solid in their foundations and we crossed them with just a few minor detours. From the bealach, we had the option of taking to the south east ridge of Beinn nam Fuaran, or taking the more direct, but much steeper option of continuing directly ahead towards the steep southern slopes; and, no prizes for guessing which option we took. Yes, you got it, directly ahead; and it was steep, especially the final section up a grassy gully where at times we were able to graze on the grass while standing upright!
The summit cairn on Beinn nam Fuaran proved just as miserable, wet and windy as our previous summit, and so we departed fairly quickly, this time taking to the south east ridge for the descent before swinging west to cross just above the peat hags of Mam Lorn to bring us on the edge of the steep western slopes leading down to the waters of the Allt a'Chuirn which mysteriously seems to change name as it exits the glen and becomes the Allt Kinglass, as it flows through the remote Gleann Achadh-innis Chailein, more colloquially known as Auch Glen.
Once across the river, we ended this walk as it had begun, with a good walk-out along yet another estate track meandering alongside the Allt a'Chuirn/Allt Kinglass.
A very fine walk, great day, thanks Alan.
Beinn A'Chaisteil & Beinn Nam Fuaran - Photo Gallery
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