Glas Bheinn
Glas Bheinn, Glenelg. Section 10A.
Height – 397 metres. Map – OS Landranger 33.
Climbed - 4 March 2011. Time taken – 5.25 hours.
Distance – 12.5 kilometres. Ascent – 615 metres.
Trip Report Details:
A couple of the hill baggers had headed home so our numbers were down to three. I had mentioned that the previous weekend I had been on the south side of Loch Alsh to climb the Sub 2000 Marilyn, Beinn a’Chuirn but hadn’t been up the adjacent Glas Bheinn. Some years ago Shona had a family holiday staying at Bernera Farm to the south of Glas Bheinn and was keen on a return visit to the area.
We drove to Bernera Farm on the Glenelg peninsula and parked just beyond the farm. Once geared up we set off up Glen Bernera on a muddy vehicle track. It soon became apparent why the track was muddy. As well as being used by farm vehicles cattle had free range. This was a concern to Shona and things became worse when we discovered that they were eating cattle cake recently spread on the track by the farmer.
On passing the cattle we entered the forest and followed the track as it gradually gained height and swung round the head of the glen. We ignored an area of open ground but as the track began to head south-east we reached another clearing, not marked on the map, and here left the track. A steep climb through bracken and heather slowed progress and with the cloud down we couldn’t see the route ahead. We came to more trees but a narrow break in the forest led to the open hillside.
Sue wanted to practice her navigation so she led us onto the south ridge, avoiding the crags, and to the summit trig point where we had an early lunch. The map also showed the name Carn Cloinn Mhic Cruimein and a Google search revealed that “nine-nines” of MacCrimmons were buried there having been slain in battle.
Occasionally we thought the cloud may lift but it didn’t. It was decided to head north-east and descend, when suitable, to the beach at Camus nan Gall. On the descent of this rocky and undulating ridge we dropped below the cloud base and had views of Kyle of Lochalsh and the Skye Bridge. The trees below had been forested and would have made walking difficult so we continued along the ridge before descending steeply through some birch trees. This led us to the south shore of Loch Alsh, just west of Ardintoul, and the Right of Way that runs from the Glenelg Ferry to Totaig.
We followed the Right of Way west to the headland at Garbhan Cosach where the path rose above the west shore of the Kyle Rhea straits. This narrow band of water, which separates the Island of Skye from the mainland, looked more like a large river as the waters moved through the narrows.
The path ended at the slipway for the ferry, which is open from Spring until October, as an alternative route to The Misty Isle. A short walk along the road returned us to Bernera Farm.
Photos taken on walk.