Buachaille Etive Beag

Starting off 2009 with a walk in Glen Etive was the perfect way to start the new year. Ali and I decided to climb Buachaille Etive Beag’s two peaks: Stob Dubh (958m) and Stob Coire Raineach (925m).

We stayed at the Isles of Glencoe hotel which had a nice view across Loch Leven to the Pap of Glencoe. Staying locally gave us the perfect opportunity to rise early and take advantage of the limited Scottish daylight at this time of year. Before we set off for out climb we headed out to Loch Etive to take in the views. On our way, we came across a heard of young deer and a couple of Stags. Of course we had to stop and take a couple of photos.

Our climb took us to the ridge of Buachaille Etive Beag which had wonderful panoramic views of the two summits. The picture below is looking towards the peak of Stob Dubh and Glen Etive. This Munro was higher and had lots of icy snow to navigate through, although previous walkers had worn some handy footprints which we used as a staircase to reach the top. The light on the mountains was very pretty and our lenses didn’t really do the view justice.

The second peak (Stob Coire Raineach) wasn’t quite as high but much more of a scramble and we got up there in surprising time. The light had started to go so we were quite keen to start making our way down. In the picture below, you can see Etive Mor to the right and a bit of the Blackwater Reservoir miles in the distance.

The obligatory portrait shots next to the cairns:

Ali on the peak of Stob Coire Raineach.

Me on the peak of Stob Dubh.

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