A Trip to Knoydart

Bernera Beach, Glenelg

I had a rare opportunity to get away hill walking so I grabbed it and joined 3 friends for a trip to the Knoydart peninsula on the west coast of Scotland to climb Ladhar Bheinn (pron Larven), one of the Munros. First step was the drive up to Glenelg and pitch the tent at Bernera Beach. The dreaded midges descended upon us but once we got the fire going the smoke kept them away.

In the morning we got up, broke camp, and drove 9 miles further round the coast to Arnisdale where we had arranged to be taken by boat over to Barrisdale Bay on Knoydart.

Seen better days

Leaving Arnisdale

After arriving at Barrisdale Bay we got off the boat and walked round past the bothy, over the bridge, and joined the path that takes you up into Coire Dhorrcail. The path is fairly good and makes for swift progress into the corrie, the headwall of which features spectacular cliffs which make this approach from the north all the more worthwhile.

First view of Coire Dhorrcail, Ladhar Bheinn

Good path and great scenery

Looking back we had a wonderful view across Loch Hourn to Arnisdale and the unrelenting slopes of Beinn Sgritheall behind it.

Beinn Sgritheall from the mouth of Coire Dhorrcail

Ascending the Druim a’ Choire Odhair ridge

Looking back down to Loch Hourn and the sandy Barrisdale Bay

Stob a’ Choire Odhair, a subsidiary summit of Ladhar Bheinn

Triangulation pillar on Ladhar Bheinn’s westernmost summit

South east along the ridge

About 7 hours after starting out from Barrisdale we were back down waiting for our boat back to Arnisdale.

A last look back up at Ladhar Bheinn.

All pictures were taken with the Panasonic G2 and 14-45mm zoom lens.