Ben Scrien
Ben Scrien, Island of Eriskay. Section 24C.
Height – 185 metres. Map – OS Landranger 31.
Climbed - 7 June 2011. Time taken – 1 hour.
Distance – 2.5 kilometres. Ascent – 165 metres.
Trip Report Details:
It was wet in Castlebay and the plan to get the early morning ferry to Eriskay was abandoned for a more relaxed and later start. On arrival at the ferry terminal in Ardmhor it appeared that the rain was clearing with brighter skies to the north, across the Uists. The crossing, which took forty minutes, was followed by a short drive uphill to Coilleag where we located a parking area.
We crossed the road and clambered through some rocks before heading onto Ben Scrien’s south-west ridge. There were lots of dips in the ridge some containing small pools of water or bog so there was a bit of meandering required to avoid them. Three walkers were spotted approaching from the south and there appeared to be a chap on the summit.
A gate in the fence was reached before grassy rakes were followed through the rocks taking us close to the trig point. On reaching the summit we had reasonable views of the Island of Eriskay and the causeway leading to South Uist, our next destination.
The return was by the ascent route although lower down we avoided some of the dips and joined the road through Eriskay slightly north of the starting point followed by a brief road walk back to the car.
The map shows the Gaelic name for this hill which is Beinn Sciathan.
Photos taken on walk.