Hills & Mountains
Bridge of Orchy & Tyndrum
*I am in the process of redesigning this section to include notes and many more high-res shots*
This section includes the Bridge of Orchy Munros, Beinn Odhar above Tyndrum and the hills bordering the south side of Loch Tulla, plus Glen Orchy and Glen Strae.*
Beinn Odhar
BEINN ODHAR (901m)
Dates?
Dates?
Although this Corbett is situated at the northern extremity of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, I`ve included it in the Bridge of Orchy & Tyndrum section. Located immediately north of Tyndrum village, the West Highland Way skirts the mountain`s flanks but Beinn Odhar is often overlooked by hillwalkers who are more intent on climbing one or more of the area`s numerous Munros.
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The Bridge of Orchy Munros
Four Munros, Beinn Dorain, Beinn an Dothaidh, Beinn Achaladair and Beinn a` Chreachain, form a long chain from south to north from Auch Glen and can be climbed together in a very long day, however, they are more often climbed in pairs; Dorain and Dothaidh, from Bridge of Orchy and further north, Achaladair and Chreachain, from Achallader Farm.
Bridge of Orchy info*
Beinn Dorain
For any uninitiated northbound travellers. on the A82 Glasgow-Fort William Road or West Highland Railway Line, the first sight of the Ben Dorain`s seemingly impregnable, relentlessly steep slopes rising in an almost perfect cone makes a real impact. Although the summit can be reached from this somewhat torturous direction, a less direct, longer but kinder route from Bridge of Orchy Railway Station is usually taken. A path leads to a bealach between Dorain and Beinn an Dothaidh, the next Munro to the north.
BEINN DORAIN (1076m)
21 June 1986
I climbed Ben Dorain for the first time accompanied by a pal, not long after I set out to `bag` the Munros. It was a fine day with hardly a cloud in the sky. We took the standard route up from Bridge of Orchy railway station and at the top we got talking to a guy who said that Beinn Dorain was his 64th Munro - having just ticked-off a handful we were both very impressed! Soon after, a large party of Australians on an organised walking holiday appeared which made the summit a bit crowded so we headed down.
21 June 1986
I climbed Ben Dorain for the first time accompanied by a pal, not long after I set out to `bag` the Munros. It was a fine day with hardly a cloud in the sky. We took the standard route up from Bridge of Orchy railway station and at the top we got talking to a guy who said that Beinn Dorain was his 64th Munro - having just ticked-off a handful we were both very impressed! Soon after, a large party of Australians on an organised walking holiday appeared which made the summit a bit crowded so we headed down.
Beinn an Dothaidh
A northbound diesel-hauled passenger train on the West Highland Railway Line skirts the flanks of Beinn an Dothaidh on its way to Fort William.
BEINN AN DOTHAIDH (1002m)
2 November 1986
My wife, a pal and I climbed this hill for the first time on an overcast day which gave the lower slopes a rusty red colour. There was a good covering of snow from the bealach continuing and across the plateau to the summit - a very wintry scene - and my wife`s second Munro!
Mid-1990s
My second ascent was sometime in the mid-1990s with a group of workmates. Having set off from Achallader Farm, several of us did a circuit around the rim of an impressive corrie, taking in the summit before returning to the start. High winds with very poor viz on top.
2 November 1986
My wife, a pal and I climbed this hill for the first time on an overcast day which gave the lower slopes a rusty red colour. There was a good covering of snow from the bealach continuing and across the plateau to the summit - a very wintry scene - and my wife`s second Munro!
Mid-1990s
My second ascent was sometime in the mid-1990s with a group of workmates. Having set off from Achallader Farm, several of us did a circuit around the rim of an impressive corrie, taking in the summit before returning to the start. High winds with very poor viz on top.
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Wednesday 4 January 1995
Three friends and I made a leisurely climb to the summit and were well-rewarded for our efforts. With not even the hint of a breeze, we sat for a while at the cairn admiring the scene- clear blue sky above an unbroken blanket of snow-covered mountains and moor. Later, a group of three walkers joined us at the cairn for a few minutes before heading along to Beinn a` Chreachain. They soon disappeared from sight and we had the hill to ourselves again. Just after we started down, the setting sun slowly turned the surrounding snow-capped peaks a vivid pink. Unfortunately, this low quality scan from a 35mm slide doesn`t do the scene justice. |
Beinn Mhanach
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BEINN MHANACH (954m)
Date Although well seen from the A82 near Auch, this mountain actually sits in fairly remote country, closer to the head of Loch Lyon. Beinn Mhanach and its twin subsidiary top, Beinn a` Chuirn, can be added to either of the aforementioned pairs but is usually climbed on its own from Auch. ?? a route which leads under the magnificent railway viaduct then later passes the Ais-an-t-Sidhean, now a ruin but once the home of Duncan Ban MacIntyre, the aclaimed Gaelic poet. (to edit*) |
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A large monument to him stands atop a hill near Dalmally. Duncan Ban MacIntyre (1724-1812) was born at Druim Liaghart in Glen Orchy. He went on to become one of Scotland`s most renowned Gaelic poets despite having never had the opportunity to attend school as a child and remaining illiterate throughout his life. He recited his work by memory with his best known poem being `Praise of Beinn Dorain` in which he captures the majesty of the ever changing Highland landscape, the deer and other wildlife to be found there.
During his working life MacIntyre took on various occupations including a game keeper, a forester, and a Constable of the Edinburgh City Guard. He even served as a soldier with the Argyll Militia and fought on the Government side at the Battle of Falkirk during the Jacobite Rising of 1745-46, however, it seems that after Culloden his sympathies swayed towards the defeated Highlanders.
He moved to Edinburgh in 1767 and remained there until his death. He is buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard where another memorial now stands, erected by family and friends to the man they new as Donnchadh Bàn nan Òrain or `Fair Duncan of the Songs`. The Dalmally memorial bears inscriptions in Gaelic and English.
Beinn Achaladair
BEINN ACHALADAIR (1039m)
Various dates
Various dates
The turn off to the farm, beside the northern end of Loch Tulla, (above) is signposted and leads to a purpose-built walkers` car park. These distant winter views show the castle`s remote and exposed location. The northern slopes of the Beinn Achaladair (pictured) and its easterly neighbour Beinn a` Chreachain drop steeply towards the bleak expanse of Rannoch Moor. Very little of the 16th century tower house remains, apart from the north and east walls and a small portion of the south wall but the structure formerly rose to three storeys and a garret. The view of the site shown below was taken from the slopes of Beinn Achaladair. (to edit*)
The castle was built by Angus Mac-an-Leister, first known chief of the Fletchers but Sir Duncan Campbell of Glen Orchy, also known as `Black Duncan`, was responsible for completing the castle, when he acquired the lands around 1590. It is said that Black Duncan took over at Achallader after he `set-up` the Fletcher keeper of the castle by ordering an English speaking servant or soldier to graze his horse in the Fletcher`s corn field. After the man ignored repeated warnings to desist in Gaelic the Fletcher laird shot him. Black Duncan, was soon on the scene and, on hearing the circumstances, convinced the laird that he would be held accountable for the killing and likely hanged as a murderer. The laird, on the advice of Black Duncan, fled to France with the intention of returning after the passage of time made it safe for him to do so. Black Duncan, of course, ended up occupying the castle and the Fletchers never recovered the property. (to edit*)
Numerous shot holes can be seen in the surviving sections of wall. These defensive features allowed the castle`s occupants to fire pistols and muskets from all sides without exposing themselves to attackers. Attacked and burned by Jacobites in 1689, Achallader was never properly restored.
In 1691 the Jacobite leaders, including Alasdair MacIain of Glencoe, were summoned to the castle by John Campbell, Earl of Breadalbane, and after much deliberation signed the Treaty of Achallader, having accepted financial compensation in return for promising to halt their fight to restore the exiled James VII to the throne. It was a requirement that all the clan chiefs should sign an oath of loyalty to King William by 1 January 1692 and nearly all complied by the deadline. MacIain finally decided to do likewise but set off late from Glencoe and a series of events followed which delayed him and prompted government forces to use this as an excuse to set an example to potentially rebellious clansmen. The Glencoe Massacre followed on 13 February 1692. MacIain was killed but his wife and sons managed to escape the carnage. (to edit*)
In 1691 the Jacobite leaders, including Alasdair MacIain of Glencoe, were summoned to the castle by John Campbell, Earl of Breadalbane, and after much deliberation signed the Treaty of Achallader, having accepted financial compensation in return for promising to halt their fight to restore the exiled James VII to the throne. It was a requirement that all the clan chiefs should sign an oath of loyalty to King William by 1 January 1692 and nearly all complied by the deadline. MacIain finally decided to do likewise but set off late from Glencoe and a series of events followed which delayed him and prompted government forces to use this as an excuse to set an example to potentially rebellious clansmen. The Glencoe Massacre followed on 13 February 1692. MacIain was killed but his wife and sons managed to escape the carnage. (to edit*)
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Beinn a` Chreachain
BEINN A` CHREACHAIN (1081m)
BEINN ACHALADAIR (1039m)
Date?
BEINN ACHALADAIR (1039m)
Date?
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The lonely west end of Loch Lyon from the ridge between Beinn Achaladair and ?*
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Glen Orchy
Although very picturesque, Glen Orchy has no pavement whatsoever so it`s not ideal for anyone wishing to explore its length on foot, however, several routes lead into the hills on either side and there is a large park at the Falls of Orchy approximately midway between the junctions with the main roads at either end.
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The source of the River Orchy is located high on the Black Mount and flows into Loch Tulla before continuing for twelve miles down the length of Glen Orchy. It is a renowned salmon river with impressive waterfalls and popular with anglers and tourists alike. Following spells of heavy rain the water flow can be torrential and numerous fatal accidents have occurred here over the years, the victims drowning after slipping from the wet rocks at the water`s edge. As well as picnickers and fishermen being swept away there has been at least one tragedy involving white-water rafters.
Ben Inverveigh
BEN INVERVEIGH (638m)
Various dates
Without doubt one of the best viewpoints on the West Highland Way is the high point of the track between Bridge of Orchy and Inveroran at the west end of Loch Tulla. Scotland`s first long-distance walking route crosses the north-eastern tip of Ben Inverveigh, a long, wide, heathery hill that separates Glen Orchy and Coir Drain. Most walkers tackle the Way south to north, but here, for a short, easy walk start from the Inveroran Hotel and follow the trail in the opposite direction as it climbs gradually to reveal a stunning panorama.
Various dates
Without doubt one of the best viewpoints on the West Highland Way is the high point of the track between Bridge of Orchy and Inveroran at the west end of Loch Tulla. Scotland`s first long-distance walking route crosses the north-eastern tip of Ben Inverveigh, a long, wide, heathery hill that separates Glen Orchy and Coir Drain. Most walkers tackle the Way south to north, but here, for a short, easy walk start from the Inveroran Hotel and follow the trail in the opposite direction as it climbs gradually to reveal a stunning panorama.
Loch Tulla from the high point on the West Highland Way above Inveroran.
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Although I`ve done this section of the West Highland Way many times over the years, I`ve never been disappointed and I always recommend it to anyone who`s looking to do a short walk in the area. The scenery can be particularly spectacular after a heavy fall of snow.
If time and energy permit it`s worth making the slight detour to the bump at the north-easterly end of Ben Inverveigh. A path leads off from the cairn at the Way`s high point and climbs easily to a superb vantage point. From there, the going to the actual summit is fairly easy and the ridge beyond, Meall Tairbh, can be included to make a worthwhile circuit. Right: Stob Ghabhar and Stob a'Choire Odhair from the east end of Ben Inverveigh. The Inveroran Hotel is located among the trees in the corner, bottom right. |
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Beinn Udlaidh and Beinn Bhreac-liath
The fine panorama from the large car park above Loch Tulla on the A82 includes Beinn Bhreac-liath and Beinn Udlaidh.
BEINN BHREAC-LIATH (802m)
Date not recorded
Date not recorded
Beinn Bhreac-liath and Bridge of Orchy from the Inveroran road.
BEINN UDLAIDH (840m)
Dates not recorded
Dates not recorded
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Beinn Udlaidh lies to the south of the River Orchy, just west of the A82 Glasgow to Fort William road.
The mountain`s broad summit can be reached in under two hours from the glen but walkers tend to ignore this Corbett and concentrate on its higher neighbours. Udlaidh is better known within the climbing fraternity as in winter, given the right conditions, the water on its cliffs freezes in spectacular fashion to offer a variety of ice-routes. This is Willie Hill climbing Beinn Udlaidh`s north face on a perfect day. |