SUMMER is well and truly with us, and despite the usual downpours we love to moan about, there has been quite a lot of sun. So much, in fact, that a Swiss couple on a walking holiday in the Highlands (yes, Swiss – that is how good Scotland's scenery is) told me that some people had said the weather was "too hot" for walking.
This is not quite true, but you do have to take extra care, with the two most important things being sun cream and water. Take as much of the latter as is feasible. For a walk such as the Munro described here, take at least two litres and have some m
ore in the car. It may make your rucksack heavy, but it will help you avoid having to turn back, or worse, becoming ill. As for sun cream, the advice is obvious – wear it.
As long as you're properly prepared, Beinn Dorain is a great place to head for in good weather. The views open up as you climb to Coire an Dothaidh, with the Cruachan range being the highlight (to the left as you look back).
Once you have reached the col, the obvious path twists a little at the start, past a lochan and round an outcrop before reaching the main ridge. Here is perfect high-level walking on a broad ridge, with views of mountains stretching out on all sides. But don't be fooled into the thinking the large cairn you can see ahead is the summit. Only when you get up close does it become apparent that the true summit is on the other side of a small col, and marked by another cairn.
Despite the good weather, do bear in mind that it can change quickly, so make sure you have some warm clothing with you as this walk takes a few hours.
Distance 6.5 miles.
Height climbed 3,110ft.
Time 5 to 6 hours.
Map OS Landranger 50.
Park Heading north along the A82, about six miles north of Tyndrum, turn left before the Bridge of Orchy Hotel into a large car park.
In summary Cross the A82 in front of the hotel and go up a minor road that leads to the railway station.
Take the underpass, go through a gate and cross a track, taking a path to the left. This takes you to the left of a radio mast and then bears right, leading up to the steep-sided Coire an Dothaidh.
At the cairn, go right and walk up a steep path, past a small lochan on the left.
The path goes up another steep section. At the top, don't go straight ahead but take a smaller path skirting to the right of a rocky outcrop, and then bear left to reach the top of the broad main ridge. Follow the ridge up to a large cairn before dropping down to a col and then up the other side to the summit and its cairn.
Refreshments The welcoming Bridge of Orchy Hotel is the obvious place to stop for a bite to eat. Otherwise, try Tyndrum and the Green Welly Stop. Or a few hundreds yards down the A82, on the other side, is the Real Food Café, which sells great fish and chips with pint-mugs of tea.
While you are in the area One of the most scenic drives in the world is only 20 miles north of Bridge of Orchy, along the A82. The natural beauty of Glencoe is hard to beat.
The full article contains 598 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
