South-West Hills Isle of Tiree

Carnan Mor – The previous day we travelled on the Cal Mac ferry from Oban to Tiree the crossing taking just over four hours. It was a windy morning and once out of the Sound of Mull there was a bit of a sea swell. The winds continued to rise throughout the day and during the night.

It was quite stormy the next day when we drove to the south-west side of the island and parked near the shore south of the sandy Traigh Bhi beach as the waves were crashing over the rocky shoreline.

East End Balephuil Bay
East End Balephuil Bay

It was then a short walk inland to the start of the road leading to the radar station on Carnan Mor where a sign stated ‘Authorised Vehicles Only’ although it turned out there was nothing preventing one driving up this road. In fact two sets of tourists were descending the hill in their cars as we set off.

Start of ascent of Carnan Mor
Start of ascent of Carnan Mor

The tarred road made for easy walking and at the zigzags we spotted a brown hare. Just before the fenced off area containing the radar dome a muddy track led to the trig point marking the summit of the Hump, Carnan Mor. The wind made wandering around the summit area quite challenging. A building adjacent to the dome appeared occupied as there were a couple of vehicles parked outside. The NATS employees had a grand view from their ‘Office’!

Looking back at ascent route and the Atlantic Ocean
Looking back at ascent route and the Atlantic Ocean
Approaching summit of Carnan Mor
Approaching summit of Carnan Mor
Balephuil Bay. Ceann a' Mhara and Beinn Ceann a' Mhara beyond
Balephuil Bay. Ceann a’ Mhara and Beinn Ceann a’ Mhara beyond
Loch a' Phuill. Beinn Hough beyond
Loch a’ Phuill. Beinn Hough beyond
Across Tiree and towards the Airport
Across Tiree and towards the Airport
Balemartine and Hynish Bay
Balemartine and Hynish Bay
Hynish
Hynish

The return was by the upward route.

Ceann a’ Mhara and Beinn Ceann a’ Mhara – Later in the day we parked in the Traigh Bhi beach car park and in very windy conditions walked along the beach then climbed the Tumps, Ceann a’ Mhara and Beinn Ceann a’ Mhara.

Start of walk towards beach
Start of walk towards beach
Stormy Balephuil Bay
Stormy Balephuil Bay
Traigh Bhi with Ceann a' Mhara and Beinn Ceann a' Mhara
Traigh Bhi with Ceann a’ Mhara and Beinn Ceann a’ Mhara
Traigh Bhi. Carnan Mor beyond
Traigh Bhi. Carnan Mor beyond
Beinn Ceann a' Mhara
Beinn Ceann a’ Mhara
Stormy Atlantic Ocean
Stormy Atlantic Ocean
Route off Ceann a' Mhara
Route off Ceann a’ Mhara
Loch a' Phuill
Loch a’ Phuill
Balephuil Bay and Carnan Mor
Balephuil Bay and Carnan Mor
Ceann a'Mhara and the Atlantic Ocean
Ceann a’Mhara and the Atlantic Ocean
Port Bharrapol. Beinn Hough beyond
Port Bharrapol. Beinn Hough beyond
  • Total time taken – 3 hours.
  • Total distance – 8.75 kilometres.
  • Total height climbed – 275 metres.