Get Lost Mountaineering

Sgurr Ban & Beinn a' Chlaimheimh via Loch a' Bhraoin

from A832, 4 miles SW of Braemore Junction

Start/Finish

Rough gravel verge parking at NH 162 761, on the A832 road (to Gairloch) from Braemore Junction (leaves A 835 Ullapool to Inverness road about 12 miles south of Ullapool). This is about 4 miles from Braemore Junction. If staying at Dingwall, it is about 37 miles to the start of the walk.

Distance/Time

32 km.     About 10 - 12 hours.

Peaks

Sgurr Ban, 989 m, NH 055 745.

Beinn Chlaidheimh, 916 m, NH 061 775.    OS sheets 19 & 20.

Introduction

These mountains lie in the Fisherfield Forest (no trees these days!) and are difficult to get at with very long approaches. This walk covers the northern section of what used to be called the “Fisherfield Six” as there were six Munros: Beinn a' Chlaimheimh, Sgurr Ban, Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair, Beinn Tarsuinn, A' Mhaighdean and Ruadh Stac Mor. Beinn a' Chlaimheimh has now been resurveyed and demoted to a Corbett but it is still a fine mountain. Many climb these mountains in a horseshoe – usually from a bothy called Shenaval. This is a fine circuit but it misses out two fine features: the east ridge of Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair to Sgurr Dubh and the north west ridge of A' Mhaighdean. These are well worth doing. Fisherfield is often described as the only remaining wilderness in the UK as it is so remote and difficult to access. Many routes involve river crossings which can be difficult or even impossible. The rivers rise very quickly so it is important to check the weather forecast to avoid being stranded! This route avoids the the most difficult river crossings but, even so, there would be some problems in a wet spell. On a clear day, the views are superb to the rest of Fisherfield but also to Slioch and An Teallach and further afield. The track from the A832 now goes along the north side of Loch a' Bhraoin to just beyond the end of the loch but it is rough in places with patches of deep gravel which is impossible to cycle through and streams filled with large rocks. Progress will be slow on a bike and there will be little time saved.

Route

(1) Walk down the signed track to Loch a' Bhraoin where the old path/track has been diverted but the new one is better until it joins the old one by the loch side. Walk or cycle up the N side of the loch to the new house at Lochivraon which now, reportedly, has a bothy behind it and is equipped with a sink and toilet. If planning to use this, it would be wise to make local enquiries first with the Inverbroom Estate as the bothy may be locked at certain times of the year, especially August to October. It is possible to cycle about 1 km past Lochivraon to where the path/track becomes very grassy and often boggy. Leave bikes here. Continue on the path for about another 4 km, past two ruined buildings, to where the path swings N. When the path passes through a broken down wall, leave it and head roughly W to cross the river flowing towards Loch an Nid. Normally this crossing will be straightforward. It is the only potentially difficult river crossing which has to be undertaken on this walk. Once across, ascend rough ground to reach the foot of the slabs to the right of the larger area of slabs. There is a water slide down the right hand slabs. These are very easy angled and, when dry, can easily be walked up. In the wet, ascend on their right, N, side. Once above the slabs, the water slide becomes a stream. Drift right to gain the ridge from Meallan an Laoigh and follow this up, roughly WNW. Much of this is a boulder field but the going is not too bad although progress will be slowed. When the angle eases, gain a large plateau and soon reach the large cairn which is the summit of Sgurr Ban, 989 m. It is worth going to the S edge of the plateau for views of Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearcahir, Beinn Tarsuinn and Slioch. It is also worth going to the W edge of the plateau for views of A' Mhaighdean and Ruadh Stac Mor.

(2) From the summit, descend the NE ridge which is almost all boulder field with little sign of a path. If you have gone to the W edge of the plateau, be careful not to end up descending the N ridge or you will have to traverse across the boulder field. The ground is much less stony on the left side of the NE ridge. On 14/6/2015, there was a small stone “hut” on the NE ridge. Reach the broad bealach then ascend, slightly W of N up the S ridge of Beinn a' Chlaidheimh where there is a path most of the way. A shoulder is crossed before the final climb to the summit. There are 3 tops. Fortunately, the cairn is on the first, S, one and this is the summit of Beinn Chlaidheimh, 916 m. The next, middle, top may look higher but it isn't!

(3) From the summit, walk down the pleasant, grassy E ridge for no more than 500 m then head SSE making a long descending traverse towards Loch an Nid. The ground is surprisingly pleasant especially high up. The outflow of Loch an Nid is harder to cross than the inflow crossed earlier so bear this in mind unless in the middle of a dry spell. It may be necessary to walk along the W side of Loch an Nid and cross its inflow. Join the path, boggy in places, as soon as the river is crossed and follow it back to the wall then back to the start via the track by Loch a' Bhraoin.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 14^th June, 2015.

(b) It is possible to attempt this route from Corrie Hallie, further down the road towards Dundonnell. However, it is not possible to use a bicycle and one must ascend over a ridge about 380 m high (from about 50 m) then descend to about 150 m. This has to be reversed on the walk out giving a total of 560 m of ascent which the above route avoids.

(c) If you don't mind the driving, Dingwall Camping and Caravanning Club site is well placed for access to Glen Arric, Loch Mullardoch, Glen Strathfarrar, Strathconon, Ben Wyvis, Achnasheen, Kinlochewe. Fannaichs, Loch Glascarnoch, Beinn Dearg range and lower hills on the coast. The site is virtually midge free. It pays to be a member otherwise there are surcharges. There is an over 50's discount outside of the High Season. Electrical hook ups are possible for campers. Dingwall has a 24 hour Tesco.