A Morvern Marilyn

I was on-route to Lochaline on Morvern to catch the ferry to Fishnish on the Isle of Mull but planned to stop off in Morvern to climb one of the several Sub 2K Marilyns I’ve still to ascend in this area. South of Aharn on the A884 Strontian to Lochaline Road I drove north-west along the minor single-track road, a few potholes to avoid, to the end of the public road. Due to the gated access track to Ardanttiobairt and a fenced of bin storage area made for limited parking here.

I walked briefly north, there were more signs regarding restricted access but no obvious parking spots, to a stock gate. Once through it the ascent of Beinn na h-Uamha commenced. After a spell of sunny and windy weather the ground, dead vegetation, including bracken, was mostly dry. This made for a fairly easy ascent with a few outcrops and vegetated bumps to avoid.

Loch Teacuis
Loch Teacuis
Beinn na h-Uamha
Beinn na h-Uamha
Beinn Ghormaig and Beinn Ithearlan
Beinn Ghormaig and Beinn Ithearlan
Loch Teacuis, Loch Sunart and Ben Hiant - zoomed
Loch Teacuis, Loch Sunart and Ben Hiant – zoomed

A line of crags prevented direct access. With an increase in gradient, they were easily bypassed to the north. This was followed by a grassy ridge walk south-east later turning east on a gentle incline with steep drops to the north.

North ridge Beinn na h-Uamha
North ridge Beinn na h-Uamha

I overtook a group of folks who had come up from Loch Arienas and appeared to be there for bird watching and nature study. The cairn marking the summit of the Marilyn, Bein na h-Uamha, was reached with good views of the surrounding landscape.

West ridge Beinn na h-Uamha
West ridge Beinn na h-Uamha
Loch Teacuis, Loch Sunart and Ardnamurchan
Loch Teacuis, Loch Sunart and Ardnamurchan
Beinn Iadain
Beinn Iadain
Kingairloch and Loch Linnhe
Kingairloch and Loch Linnhe

After a few minutes at the top, I had a ferry to catch, the return was by the upward route.

Sithean na Raplaich
Sithean na Raplaich
  • Time taken – 3 hours 35 minutes.
  • Distance – 7 kilometres.
  • Ascent – 490 metres.