Beinn Chabhair is situated at the head of the Beinn Glas Burn, 4½ kilometres north-east of
the north end of Loch Lomond from where it is hidden behind the steep lower slopes. It is one of the many hills we have climbed recently in which the summit is a guessing game for us as it is not visible from our starting point, The Drovers Inn at Inveruglas.
The Drovers Inn is an old inn used by the Highland drovers who used to drive their cattle down the side of Loch Lomond to the markets. The decor and furniture, in deference to the past, look as though they have not been changed or altered for a couple of hundred years. Central heating and double glazing have not yet been installed in these premises nor has its installation ever been considered, indeed the adjectives authentic and rustic could almost have been compiled for this ancient piece of Scottish pub folklore.
The ascent starts with a steep climb that follows the Beinn Glas Burn passing the fantastic Beinn Glas Waterfalls before leading to the rivers source Lochan Beinn Chabhair 400m below the summit of the hill itself. We have never seen a source of a river/waterfall before and this tranquil Lochan it is quite a site sitting majestically within its own little valley.
From here the path disappears and you are left to guess which peak will be your end destination which thankfully for us on this fine day is not a problem. After 10 minutes or so we mange to pick up a path again but sadly the weather conditions are spreading a heat haze that is making viewing conditions less than favourable.
The final ridge that looks quite frightening from the Lochan turns out to be quite an easy and enjoyable ascent but sadly the views from the summit turn out to be a tad disappointing. Yes, the heat haze has restricted our horizon but we were hoping for an extended view down Loch Lomond which doesn’t look as it would ever be possible on a perfect day from this vantage point, as a result we take comf
ort in the excellent views over the Crianlarich Hills, Tyndrum Hills and the Bridge of Orchy Hills.
Our descent is via the same route we have climbed although the final steep section down to Beinn Glas Farm provides dangerous loose scree which nearly upends us on a few occasions.
Arriving back at the car we drive north a few miles to the gouged out pool on the Falls of Falloch, this is supplied by a stunning black waterfall which also serves as welcome cooling off spot for us after our sweaty ascent up Chabhair. Unfortunately it also serves as a hot spot for large clusters of midges which have us running for cover on our egress from the pool. The ferocity of these fearsome critters is so intense that we make great speed to the car to escape their unwanted presence and take refuge in the nearest hostelry to replenish our depleted blood levels :o)
No comments:
Post a Comment