South Loch Eil

Previously I’ve ascended the Corbett, Stob Coire a’ Chearcaill, from the A861 via a track east of Blaich but according to a Corbett book there was a shorter route from east of Duisky on an intermittent path. I drove east along the single track A861 on the south side of Loch Eil through Duisky and across the cattle grid mentioned in the book. There wasn’t an obvious parking area but I managed to get my vehicle completely off the road beside a passing place.

We then walked back to the cattle grid where we passed through a stock gate but there was no sign of a path just sheep trails which led into some trees and bog. Beyond we were into longish heather still with no sign of a path so continued through the heather and bog, using animal trails where possible. This led to the edge of a deer fence then to a gate which we had to climb over to access the open hillside.

Start of route to Stob Coire a' Chearcaill
Start of route to Stob Coire a’ Chearcaill

With no evidence of a path we made our way through the rough vegetation and heather which was hard work in the heat.

Route from A861 and across Loch Eil to Gleann Suileag
Route from A861 and across Loch Eil to Gleann Suileag
Ascent route Stob Coire a' Chearcaill
Ascent route Stob Coire a’ Chearcaill

The gradient increased on the climb through Coire Dubh and onto the west ridge of Braigh Bhlaich with good views of our target hill and its eastern corrie.

Stob Coire a' Chearcaill
Stob Coire a’ Chearcaill
Loch Linnhe and Ben Nevis
Loch Linnhe and Ben Nevis

It was now an easy walk along the ridge with a slight climb to the summit of the Corbett marked by a trig point and cairn.

Summit, Stob Coire a' Chearcaill
Summit, Stob Coire a’ Chearcaill
Callop Grahams
Callop Grahams
Loch Eil. Gulvain beyond
Loch Eil. Gulvain beyond

After a short break here I walked out to its South Top before re-joining my walking companion on Stob Coire a’ Chearcaill.

Loch Linnhe, Corran and Beinn a' Bheithir
Loch Linnhe, Corran and Beinn a’ Bheithir
Glen Scaddle and Meall Dearg Choire nam Muc
Glen Scaddle and Meall Dearg Choire nam Muc
Druim Leathad nam Fias
Druim Leathad nam Fias

We headed back along the west ridge of Braigh Bhlaich then descended north down the side of some old metal fence posts which were just west of our ascent route. There was still no sign of a path.

Ptarmigan
Ptarmigan

On returning to the deer gate we retraced our outward route back to the A861. In hindsight we should have gone via the track at Blaich and onto the east ridge of Braigh Bhlaich.

  • Time taken – 4.75 hours.
  • Distance – 11 kilometres.
  • Height climbed – 865 metres.