The start for the ascents of The Griams was the B871 Kinbrace to Bettyhill Road, south of the Garvault Hotel, apparently the remotest hotel in mainland Britain. I left my vehicle in a small quarry immediately south of the vehicle track leading to Loch Coire nam Mang and walked north up this track later leaving it to climb Ben Griam Mor.
This route across rough vegetation was pathless with the gradient increasing as I passed through an area of rock to reach the cairn marking the summit of this Marilyn where I took a break taking in some grand views.
On the move again I descended steeply north through heather and rock before lower down and once the gradient eased heading north-east towards the outflow from Loch Druim a’ Chliabhain. The ground here as well as being covered in heather contained areas of bog but nothing too arduous.
I located a suitable point to cross the stream without getting wet then it was over more damp and boggy ground until the gradient increased.
It was then a steady climb through heather, grasses and a few rocks. The outer wall of this ancient fort was passed followed by a couple of inner walls before I made my way to the summit of Ben Griam Beg. The highest point of this Marilyn was a cairn beside the broken trig point.
After another break here sheltering from a cold wind I returned to the outflow from Loch Druim a’ Chliabhain then walked along its south side. Underfoot wasn’t as bad as expected, there was even a section of sandy beach making for easier progress.
From the south-west corner of this loch there was a short rise then descent through quite rough ground to reach Loch Coire nam Mang. With little improvement in the underfoot conditions I walked along its south side. This led to a boatshed and the start of the vehicle track that returned me to the B871 and my car.
- Time taken – 6 hours.
- Distance – 14.5 kilometres.
- Height climbed – 830 metres.