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Beinn nan Imirean from Auchessan in Glen Dochart

Beinn nan Imirean from Auchessan in Glen Dochart

Start/Finish

Auchessan in Glen Dochart which is about 4 miles east of Crianlarich on the A85. If you turn in for Auchessan, parking is very limited indeed and it may be better to park on the verge of the main road if it is firm enough.

Distance/Time

12 km.     About 4 – 5 hours.

Peaks

Beinn nan Imirean, 849 m, NN 419 309.      OS Sheet 51.

Introduction

Beinn nan Imirean is a pleasant mountain, actually a Corbett, which sits between the Munros of Ben Challum and Meall Glas. Unfortunately, the approach from Auchessan is quite unpleasant being wet, mossy and boggy so is best attempted in a long dry spell. Beinn nan Imirean is a superb viewpoint for Ben Challum, Meall Glas, Sgiath Chuil, Ben More, Cruach Ardrain and many more hills.

Route

(1) Walk along the road, crossing the River Dochart, to Auchessan. At the last house, turn left and take the track going behind the house and follow it to its abrupt end before a wall. The main river, Allt Essan, will, by now, have turned W and the track will be following an unnamed tributary heading N. From the end of the track, follow the path, faint at first, by the fence going uphill with the tributary on the left. As height is gained, the path deteriorates. Continue past Creag nan Uan. When the stream turns W, follow it but aim to gain the ridge of Meall Garbh as soon as possible. This is not that well defined but there is a reasonable crest to follow. Continue W, gradually curving around to NW with the ridge becoming more defined. A lochan lies across the ridge higher up and a fairly distinct path leads up NW to an outcrop on which there sits a small cairn marking the summit of Beinn nan Imirean, 849 m.

(2) Retrace, following the path as far as possible then pick up the stream and continue down until the main path is rejoined. Follow this down to Auchessan and the start.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 29th May, 2015. Beinn nan Imirean had previously been ascended from Glen Lochay in a round including Sgiath Chuil and Meall Glas. This is a long day but the approaches are much more pleasant than from Auchessan. This route will not be posted unless it is repeated as it was some years ago. However, based on this previous route, it would be possible just to ascend Beinn nan Imirean from Glen Lochay by driving as far up the glen as allowed then cycling to the end of the track below Ben Challum. An old rough track, not shown on the maps, heads part of the way up Beinn nan Imirean. This would give a much more pleasant ascent than from Auchessan.

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