Get Lost Mountaineering

Slat Bheinn & Sgurr a' Choire-bheithe from Arnisdale by Boat

Start/Finish

Roadside/verge parking by the obvious long jetty in Arnisdale. From Shiel Bridge, take the Glenelg/Arnisdale road for about 19 miles over the Ratagan Pass.Shiel Bridge is on the A87 from Invergarry to the Kyle of Lochalsh.

Distance/Time

14 km (from boathouse near Fraoch Eilean).     About 8 - 9 hours walking

Peaks

Slat Bheinn, 700 m, NG 910 027.

Sgurr a'Choire-Bheithe, 913 m, NG 895 015.    OS sheet 33.

Introduction

This is a tough walk over two rough mountains in the remote area of Knoydart – the only part of the UK mainland with island status as there is no road in. Do not let their low relative heights, compared to surrounding mountains, lull you into a false sense of security. They are tough and the descent of Slat Bheinn requires much care so only the experienced should tackle this route in anything but dry summer conditions. Many will underestimate the time to ascend these mountains so allow extra time if meeting a boat for a return trip. There is a bothy in Barrisdale which will provide shelter if you need to sit around for a while. It has a flush toilet and running water. It sleeps about 12 people. There is also a “camp site” by the bothy but the midges can be bad in the summer. Groups could consider going booking Barrisdale Stable or The White House (look up Barrisdale on the internet) which offer pretty good accommodation including showers but all supplies may need to be carried in unless a boat is organised. The walking route to Barrisdale usually starts at Kinloch Hourn and is about 11 km along the south side of Loch Hourn with 3 significant headlands to be ascended and descended. Getting a boat in from Arnisdale is a good idea and the easiest approach but it isn't cheap especially for a solo walker. Boat contact details are in the notes.

Route

(1) Walk S along the very obvious track to Barrisdale Bothy. Continue along the track but do not cross the bridge. The track up Glen Barrisdale starts from the bothy camp site but is not obvious. If in doubt, follow the river and the track will soon becomes more obvious. Follow the track which soon swings E into Glen Barrisdale. The best route to ascend Slat Bheinn is to go up the crest of its prominent W ridge. This will mean crossing the River Barrisdale from the track and could be a problem in a wet spell; a high deer fence must also be crossed. The W ridge is moderately steep and there are a few rocky sections but it should not pose too many problems in dry, summer conditions. An alternative is to go further along the track until opposite a gate then start picking a way up the steep N flank where another high deer fence must be climbed over. Keep picking a way up with all the rocky sections avoidable. Whichever ascent route is chosen, eventually reach the summit plateau where a medium cairn marks the summit of Slat Bheinn, 700 m.

(2) In clear weather, Sgurr a' Choire-bheithe is close and obvious but Slat Bheinn has a large corrie facing it and this has quite a few rocky clefts with streams in them so the descent needs though and care. There are two choices: either rim of the corrie. One can go down the right hand ridge (looking from the summit) which is easy to start with but one is soon weaving between crags and slabs. Lower down, there is an awkward short descent down a loose vegetated groove on the left after which it is much easier and one can soon reach the corrie floor. If going down the other side of the corrie, carefully pick a way to Loch Coire nan Cadha then follow the ridge down SW with some awkward sections. The lochan in the corrie can be a useful marker to aim for. From there, head NW to join the craggy ridge which leads W, SW then S up Sgurr a' Choire-bheithe. The ridge looks difficult from below but looks worse than it actually is although there is no path. Carefully, pick a way up the ridge which has a few tops on it before, finally, the angle eases and one reaches almost level ground. There is a small cairn for the N Top and a medium one about 100 m further which is the S Top and summit of Sgurr a'Choire-Bheithe, 913 m.

(3) Descend the long W then NW ridge of Sgurr a' Choire-bheithe, first reaching the lower W Top after about 1 km. There is a path down much of the ridge so stay on the crest, not as well defined as the map suggests, until fairly low down on, basically the last top (slightly off to the left). From here descend to the path coming Gleann Unndalainn – the ground to reach this can be rough so choose carefully where you join it. Once on the path, follow it down, crossing a bridge before the ruin, then continuing to Barrisdale Bothy.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 6^th June, 2016, and once before.

(b) To enquire about a boat from Arnisdale, contact Peter Fletcher on 01599 235007. Where he actually drops you off will depend upon the tide but it will be no further away than the boathouse by Fraoch Eilean.