The walk: Beinn Tulaichean

Saturday 9 March 2013

Location: Inverlochlarig, Perthshire

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Tom Prentice

Map: OS Landranger 56 (GR416196)

Distance: 5.5 miles (9km)

Time: 4 hours 30 minutes

Terrain: open hillside

Beinn Tulaichean offers a pleasant short excursion from Inverlochlarig, beyond the Braes of Balquhidder and Loch Doine, and while not an outstanding peak in its own right the hill offers fine views of the surrounding giants. The route provides a steep haul out of the glen, so exercise is guaranteed.

From the car park at the end of the road, walk down towards Inverlochlarig, last home of Rob Roy MacGregor, who died here in January 1734. Cross the Inverlochlarig Burn and a signpost directs you over the stile on the right beside a white gate.Follow the muddy path round the riverbank to meet the track up Inverlochlarig Glen and continue ascending to another stile and gate. Cross over and take to the hillside soon after that, climbing up and left past a large boulder with a tree, to gain the southern flanks of the hill left of the lower crags. The start is fairly boggy, so it's worth making an effort to stick as much as possible to any high ground.Once gained, zigzag up the grassy slope (there's no path) to an upper band of crags which are easily bypassed, to gain the broad upper ridge which gives extensive views east to the impressive peaks of Ben More and Stob Binnein and across Loch Voil to Ben Vorlich and Stuc a' Chroin. To the south, rocky Stob a' Chroin dominates the view with Benvane and Ben Ledi poking their heads over the rounded lower peaks. Through a gap in the hills the prominent double summit of Ben Venue can be seen in the distance.The ridge becomes increasingly defined as you gain height, culminating in the rocky summit (946m; 3104ft). From here there are various options. Returning straight to Inverlochlarig makes for a short but satisfying day, while those in search of further exercise can continue to Cruach Ardrain (1046m; 3432ft) along the connecting ridge. There is very little descent, but a fair amount of ascent to reach the summit, which takes a further 40 minutes or so.The best return is probably back over the summit of Beinn Tulaichean, although a reasonable descent can be made from the col between the two peaks, down the initially craggy then grassy east face to Inverlochlarig Glen. This leads to the continuation of the track up the glen used at the start, which you can follow back down to Inverlochlarig.If venison is your thing then on your way back to the car park, call in at the Inverlochlarig farm shop on the right after crossing the bridge back over the Inverlochlarig Burn.

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The walk: Beinn Tulaichean

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