Hills & Mountains
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park
Ben Lui & Co
*I am in the process of redesigning this section to include notes and many more high-res shots*
This section includes Ben Lui, and its neighbours Beinn a` Chleibh, Ben Oss, Beinn Dubchraig and Beinn Chuirn.
Ben Lui from the A82 Glasgow - Fort William road near Tyndrum.
A fine morning reflection on the still waters of Loch Awe: Kilchurn Castle is on the left with Ben Lui and Beinn a` Chleibh on the right.
Ben Lui
BEN LUI (Beinn Laoigh) (1130m)
Ben Lui Northwest Top (1127m)
Dates
Ben Lui Northwest Top (1127m)
Dates
BEN LUI (1130m)
BEN LUI Northwest Top (1127m)
Friday 22 July 2011
BEN LUI Northwest Top (1127m)
Friday 22 July 2011
This was my sixth visit to the top of Ben Lui, this time opting to walk in from Dalrigh rather than Tyndrum village which is an alternative starting point. The tracks converge after a couple of kilometres but the initial section from Dalrigh is in open countryside whereas the Tyndrum approach is through a conifer plantation with limited views.
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The Tyndrum Community Woodland is a good place for wildlife watching and, although much of the area has been thickly planted, remnants of the old Caledonian Pine Forest are close at hand. These were the only deer I saw but a welcome surprise was that, despite there being very little wind for much of the day, there were no midges! The woodland and mountain slopes host a wide variety of alpine plants and flowers, although I didn`t spot any rarities on this occasion.
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The extensive remains of a WW2 Hudson bomber lie just below the summit etc*
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Beinn a` Chleibh
BEINN A` CHLEIBH (916m)
Date
Date
Beinn a` Chleibh from Ben Lui, Loch Awe and the Ben Cruachan massif are in the distance,
Ben Oss & Beinn Dubchraig
BEN OSS (1029m)
BEINN DUBCHRAIG (978m)
BEINN DUBCHRAIG (978m)
A goods train makes its way up Loch Lomondside on the West Highland Line with snow-capped Ben Oss and Beinn Dubchraig forming an impressive backdrop.
Ben Oss and Beinn Dubhchraig stand together, several kilometres west of Crianlarich between Glen Falloch and Strath Fillan. From Loch Lomond to the south, they have a striking appearance, especially when snow-capped. Ben Oss is the higher of the two at 1029 metres.
I`ve climbed these hills several times, the first occasion being on Thursday 28 August 1986 from Dalrigh on a warm but hazy day. This approach leads through the pine wood of the Coille Coire Chuil, a small remnant of the extensive Caledonian Forest that once covered the land. Throughout the day C-130 Hercules transports of the RAF, apparently involved in a large-scale military exercise, made numerous low-passes through the glens.
The second ascent, seen here, was made in winter under ideal conditions. From Ben Oss we headed southeast across the plateau to the bottom end of
Glen Falloch where transport had been arranged. Ben Lui is the mountain in the background.* (to edit*)
I`ve climbed these hills several times, the first occasion being on Thursday 28 August 1986 from Dalrigh on a warm but hazy day. This approach leads through the pine wood of the Coille Coire Chuil, a small remnant of the extensive Caledonian Forest that once covered the land. Throughout the day C-130 Hercules transports of the RAF, apparently involved in a large-scale military exercise, made numerous low-passes through the glens.
The second ascent, seen here, was made in winter under ideal conditions. From Ben Oss we headed southeast across the plateau to the bottom end of
Glen Falloch where transport had been arranged. Ben Lui is the mountain in the background.* (to edit*)
Heading towards the summit of Ben Oss on a fine winter`s day as the last of the overnight mist clears from Ben Lui.
Above: The two prominent peaks in this view are Ben Lui (left) and Ben Oss on the right. Ardlui and the head of Loch Lomond are in the foreground.
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Beinn Chuirn
Ben Lui (left) and Beinn Chuirn seen from Beinn Odhar to the north.
BEINN CHUIRN (880m)
Tuesday 17 December 2002
A frosty start led to a warm, still day with a clear blue sky. I had the hill to myself, the only other walkers encountered being two guys on mountain bikes who passed me on the track early morning, bound for Ben Lui. From a distance, Beinn Chuirn looks like a miniature version of its larger neighbour, both hills having north-facing corries, but the ascent of Ben Lui requires a bit more effort, being not only higher but further from the main road.
Tuesday 17 December 2002
A frosty start led to a warm, still day with a clear blue sky. I had the hill to myself, the only other walkers encountered being two guys on mountain bikes who passed me on the track early morning, bound for Ben Lui. From a distance, Beinn Chuirn looks like a miniature version of its larger neighbour, both hills having north-facing corries, but the ascent of Ben Lui requires a bit more effort, being not only higher but further from the main road.
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Easy slopes lead towards Beinn Chuirn`s wide summit ridge and I made good time plodding uphill until I realised I`d hadn`t lifted my trekking-pole after one of many photo stops. I retraced my footsteps but it was further down than I thought, so about-turned and continued to the top.
The Spring-like conditions had fooled a solitary moth into believing summer was almost here but I never encountered any birds or other wildlife on the upper slopes. |
The view from the top is impressive especially out to the west where Ben Cruachan was in the clear, although a solid bank of mist covered Loch Awe. Far to the south, the Arran Hills could be seen above the horizon. A roar announced the presence of two military jets, on the opposite side of Beinn Chuirn, flying very low, as they followed the A85 Oban road directly below.
The temperature dropped quickly and on the descent I collected my trekking-pole. Despite making use of it all the way down, I slipped twice on the glassy patches of ice. Fortunately no one was around to hear me swearing!
