Hills & Mountains
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park
*I am in the process of redesigning this section to include notes and many more high-res shots*
The Cowal Hills
The Cowal Hills form an impressive backdrop to Dumbarton Rock on a superb January morning in this view taken from the Erskine Bridge.
The Cowal tops stand clear of thick fog blanketing the Clyde estuary in this view taken from Lyle Hill above Gourock on a cold December afternoon.
The Cowal and Kintyre peninsulas are mostly reached over the famous Rest-and-be-Thankful pass (245m) at the head of Glen Croe between Loch Long and Loch Fyne. Several parallel sea lochs, namely Loch Goil, Loch Eck, Loch Striven and Loch Riddon, all on a north-south line in the east of the district of Cowal, split the interior, with broad ridges between them forming around 30 tops above 600 metres. South of the Rest, the Ardgoil peninsula between Loch Goil and Loch Long is known as Argyll`s Bowling Green, a corruption of its old Norse name from the droving days, Buaile na Greine, the sunny cattle fold.
Looking towards the Cowal Hills from the track to Loch Humphrey in the Kilpatrick Hills.
The Cowal Hills seen from the high ground above Greenock.
The Beinn Mhor Group
BEINN MHOR (741m)
CLACH BHEINN (643m)
Beinn Ruadh, (664m)
Tuesday 12 March 2002
Although Beinn Mhor, at 741 metres, is the highest hill in Cowal, the views from the top were slightly disappointing as the neighbouring hills on three sides comprise of long,level ridges, however, Arran and the Paps of Jura, the latter well-plastered with snow, peered above the horizon to add interest. The views northward were better and included the Arrochar Alps, distant Ben Cruachan and the hills of Mull.
CLACH BHEINN (643m)
Beinn Ruadh, (664m)
Tuesday 12 March 2002
Although Beinn Mhor, at 741 metres, is the highest hill in Cowal, the views from the top were slightly disappointing as the neighbouring hills on three sides comprise of long,level ridges, however, Arran and the Paps of Jura, the latter well-plastered with snow, peered above the horizon to add interest. The views northward were better and included the Arrochar Alps, distant Ben Cruachan and the hills of Mull.
Near the summit of Beinn Mhor looking west. The snow-capped Paps of Jura are just visible on the right-hand distant skyline.
The shortest route onto these hills is from the small car park at the end of the public road in Glen Massan. A private road continues up the glen to Glenmassan Farm from where a bulldozed track zigzags through an extensive forestry plantation to terminate on the ridge, near the summit of Beinn Mhor. Clach Bheinn, although 100 metres lower than beinn Mhor, is by far the better viewpoint and a rocky outcrop just to the north of the summit makes a fine perch above Loch Eck. Greenock and the chimney of the Inverkip Power Station were the main points of interest in the other direction, but the tall structure has long-since been demolished. Wildlife sightings were sparse although as I walked across the boggy ground towards Clach Bheinn, an unidentified medium-sized bird of prey flew at speed over the ridge. A solitary Buzzard and a Goldcrest were seen in the glen earlier, as was a small Roe Deer.
These shots are all copies of prints which were taken with a low-spec camera, hence the poor quality.
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Below: Beinn Ruadh, 664 metres, and Clach Bheinn (right) seen from the connecting ridge from Beinn Mhor. Creag Mhor is the low-lying, snow-free hill immediately behind Clach Bheinn. The River Clyde is in the distance.
Beinn Bheula
This shot of Beinn Bheula was taken from the east side of Loch Goil while I was en rout to climb the Saddle.
BEINN BHEULA (779m)
Not Yet Climbed
Despite having done most of the hills in this area I`ve yet to climb Beinn Bheula. This Corbett is a rugged, complex peak of ridges and crags which rises steeply above the forestry plantations of Loch Goil and Loch Eck. It is far less visited than the Munros and other noteworthy summits of the Arrochar Alps and Loch Lomondside.
Not Yet Climbed
Despite having done most of the hills in this area I`ve yet to climb Beinn Bheula. This Corbett is a rugged, complex peak of ridges and crags which rises steeply above the forestry plantations of Loch Goil and Loch Eck. It is far less visited than the Munros and other noteworthy summits of the Arrochar Alps and Loch Lomondside.
Beinn Bheula forms the left-hand skyline in this view of Carrick Castle. Although this keep dates mainly from the 15th century there is thought to have been a stronghold here since the 13th century. The tower stands in a commanding position on the west side of Loch Goil, about 6 km south of Lochgoilhead. There is not a lot of historical date available on Carrick Castle although Mary Queen of Scots is know to have paid a visit in 1563.
Cnoc Coinnich and Beinn Reithe
CNOC COINNICH (761m)
BEINN REITHE (663m)
Tuesday 23 November 2010
BEINN REITHE (663m)
Tuesday 23 November 2010
Above: Looking north from Cnoc Coinnich: Beinn Luibhean is on the far left, then snow-capped Ben Ime, The Brack, in shadow, is in the centre with the Cobbler directly behind and Beinn Narnain to the right. Also visible, in the far distance on the right, are Ben More and Stob Binnein which lie close to Crianlarich.
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The hilly peninsula that separates Loch Goil and Loch Long (seen here) is often ignored by walkers who tend to concentrate on the higher, better-known peaks of the Arrochar Alps. However, in addition to fine mountain scenery the southern end of this peninsula offers a sweeping panorama of the Gare Loch and Clyde Estuary as well as superb views of any tankers or naval vessels as they head towards Finnart or Glenmallan. There are three main tops running north to south in descending order - Cnoc Coinnich, 761m, Beinn Reithe, 663m, and the Saddle, 521m, and despite their modest elevation a compulsory sea-level start means that a traverse of all three can easily pass the best part of a day.
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Ardgartan, alongside the A83 Rest-and-be-thankful road at the foot of Glen Croe, is a possible starting point but it`s better scenically to drive to Lochgoilhead village where the Cowal Way leads past the Post Office and climbs over the hillside between Ben Donich and Cnoc Coinnich. On Tuesday 23 November I took in the two northerly summits, Cnoc Coinnich and Beinn Reithe but left the Saddle as an excuse to return at a later date. Initially the route leads through woodland with Loch Goil and the caravans and lodges of the Drimsynie holiday complex being quickly lost from view.
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The above view looks back to where the track exits the forest and shows the line of peaks that lie to the west of Lochgoilhead.
A frozen lochan high on Cnoc Coinnich with Ben Lomond in the distance.
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Cnoc Coinnich is best for mountain views while Beinn Reithe gives a bird`s-eye view of the MOD facility at Glen Mallan (above) on the east shore of Loch Long. Unfortunately there were no vessels alongside the jettywhen I reached the summit other than a small Pilot boat doing circuits. HMS Dragon (D35), the fourth of the Royal Navy's six Type 45 air defence destroyers, had been present the day before.
There`s usually no activity whatsoever here and the best time is just before, or during the twice-yearly Joint Warrior military exercises, when naval vessels may call in to replenish supplies. |
One such vessel, USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20), is pictured moored at Glen Mallan on a sunny morning in October 2015. She is one of two Blue Ridge-class Amphibious Command Ships in service with the US Navy. Although she arrived on the Clyde at the end of Joint Warrior 152, the timing of her visit was purely coincidental as she was not thought to have been involved in the exercise. USS Mount Whitney acts as the command ship for the US Navy`s Sixth Fleet. She has a US Navy officer in overall charge with a navy mission crew, but navigation, seamanship, engineering, laundry and galley services are all provided by the civil service mariners of Military Sealift Command.
The north end of Loch Long from Beinn Reithe.
For anyone interested in shipping The Saddle (see below) would undoubtedly be the best top to visit,
A telephoto view of the Faslane Naval Base from Beinn Reithe. (to edit*)
The Saddle
THE SADDLE (521 metres)
18 January 2011
I finally got round to climbing the Saddle, the knobbly hill that lies toward the south end of the peninsula that separates Loch Goil and Loch Long. This shot was taken from the east side of Loch Long on the drive up. The tug in the reflection is the SD Waterston.* Anyone lacking the time, energy or inclination to climb all four of the peninsula`s hills in one go and looking for a shorter, less taxing option should consider an ascent of the Saddle.
18 January 2011
I finally got round to climbing the Saddle, the knobbly hill that lies toward the south end of the peninsula that separates Loch Goil and Loch Long. This shot was taken from the east side of Loch Long on the drive up. The tug in the reflection is the SD Waterston.* Anyone lacking the time, energy or inclination to climb all four of the peninsula`s hills in one go and looking for a shorter, less taxing option should consider an ascent of the Saddle.
Admittedly Beinn Reithe, 653m and Cnoc Coinnich, 761m, to the north of The Saddle are better for views of the Arrochar Alps but, although it`s not the highest hill in the chain, the latter hill`s summit offers a wide panorama of the distant Firth of Clyde and an unrivalled view of any vessels docked at Glenmallan or the Finnart Oil Terminal.
Appearances can be deceptive - the locals are actually quite friendly.
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To reach the Saddle directly from Lochgoilhead village a forest track is followed southwards to a junction where a post indicates the way to `Corran Lochan via the Duke`s Pass`. I presumed this section of track is fairly new as it wasn`t shown on my 2007 OS map. One clear of the forestry, there`s a good view of Loch Goil and Lochgoilhead village.
The chalets and caravans of the Drimsynie Estate Holiday Village and felled areas of forestry mar the hillside at the head of Lochgoilhead .
The route climbs gradually and takes approximately 3km to get above the trees with a southbound continuation that eventually passes the lochan and Clach Bheinn, 437m, the peninsula`s southernmost peak, however, a direct line can be taken onto the Saddle at the first convenient point.
Corran Lochan and Clach Bheinn from the Saddle.
It was fairly warm during the walk-in despite a few showers but it was much colder at the summit with the wind blowing snow clouds across the higher tops to the north and west. Apart from a few deer the only other wildlife encountered was a pair of Raven tumbling in the breeze.
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The summit of the Saddle is a superb vantage point. Front Opalia, a 333 metre-long Marshall-Islands-flagged Crude Oil Tanker moored at the Finnart Oil Terminal, gives a sense of scale. The vessel, one of the largest to visit this facility, was built by a Japanese shipyard in 1999 and is owned and managed by ITM Holding which is based in Dubai.
On the right, below, is a distant view of a pair of Western Ferries vessels off McInroy`s Point plying between Gourock and Dunoon. The chimney of Inverkip Power Station is immediately identifiable but the architectural landmark has long since been demolished. The two small Clyde Coast islands known as the Cumbraes lie beyond.
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Below: Looking east from the top of the Saddle, across Loch Long to the MOD facility at Glenmallan and the Luss Hills.
Creachan Mor
CREACHAN MOR (331m)
Dates Not Recorded
Dates Not Recorded
In this view from the summit of Creachan Mor the cloud slanting across the middle distance marks the line of Loch Goil.
I`ve climbed this hill twice, once from the Ardentinny side and the other from Carrick Castle. etc*
Additional shots taken from the summit of Creachan Mor, looking north during a temperature inversion, with cloud almost obscuring the small settlement of Carrick Castle below.
Beinn Bheula is the prominent pointed hill on the left below. A pair of RAF Tornados flew into view and stayed above the clouds as they continued over Loch Goil and disappeared over the ridge to the north-east. They were surprisingly quiet on approach and I only managed to snatch a blurred shot with my digital compact.
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