CORVID-19 is still here and you are asked to be safe whilst out in the North West of Scotland. Current restrictions have been relaxed recently. Even so, please do not go out in the area if you are showing signs of Corvid-19. When out paddling or hillwalking make sure you give people space - 1m at least and preferable 2m. Remember that if it feels too crowded then you can walk away and try somewhere else; the environment will still be there tomorrow. Also remember the emergency services, the RNLI and the MRT. They will come out to rescue you but they should not have to put themselves into danger from this virus.

Take Care Out There.

Beinn Leoid, Meal an Fheur Loch and Meallan a Chuail

Beinn Leoid, Meal an Fheur Loch and Meallan a Chuail
Beinn Leoid [NC320295, 792]
Meal an Fheur Loch [NC362310, 613]
Meallan a Chuail [NC344292, 750]
OS map : 15
start : A838 south of the outflow from Loch More at the gap in the forest.
gridref : NC357333
summary : Loch More - Meal an Fheur Loch - Meallan A Chail - Beinn Leoid - Loch More
distance : 13.0km.
ascent : 1290m.
time taken : 6hr. 20min.

There is no easy way to Beinn Leiod as it is a remote mountain set in the remote landscape between Loch More and Loch Glencoul. This route climbs the hill from the north using the stalking paths where available. Along the way are two smaller hills (The Grahams - Meal an Fheur Loch and Meallan a Chuail) and it makes sense to include these in the walk. a long and hard day but any way to Beinn Leoid is going tobe hard.

Park at the roadside on the A835 just SW from the end of Loch More, there is a gap in the forest here and a path through the trees.

Stage 1 is to climb the Graham of Meal an Fheur Loch. Follow the stalkers path through the forest and up the steep slopes of Meal an Fheur Loch. When the path turns west on the less steep ground make directly for the summit. (3.0kms. 500m. 2hrs. 0min.)

Stage 2 is to climb Meallan A Chail. Arguably this is the best summit of the day. From the summit walk south then gradually more west to reach the southern edge of Loch Cul a Mhill. From here continue west to the end of the north east ridge of Meallan a Chuail. Follow the line of this ridge to the summit. Very rough ground here. (2.0kms. 300m. 1hrs. 20min.)

Stage 3 is to climb Beinn Leoid, the Corbett. From the summit take the west ridge to the reach the bealach and then end of the big stalkers track in the area. From here it is a straightforward climb up the east ridge of Beinn Leoid to the top. The summit is marked with a trig point. (2.0kms. 240m. 1hrs. 10min.)

Stage 4 is back to the roadside. As Beinn Leiod is in the middle of some remote areas there is no easy way back, all routes incvolve some re-acent. Initially retrace the uphill route east back to the beallach. There is a stalkers track to this beallach, but it is not returning back to the roadside. The best route is to re-ascend Meallan a Chail and then descend the hill by the northern ridge. This time ignore the loch, and continue north to the end of the stalkers track. There is a large cairn here marking the top of this path. From here follow the path back to the roadside. (6.0kms. 250m. 2hrs. 20min.)