2 . Beinn an Lochain , 6th May 2016
One of the benefits of working for Eco-congregation Scotland was the opportunity to travel around Scotland. Wherever possible, this was by public transport, but Selkirk to Ardrishaig could only reasonably be done by car. That in itself was a challenge, with our Nissan Leaf having a range of round 75 miles, but I enjoyed the journey with charging stops on the Edinburgh bypass, at Stirling, Arrochar and Inveraray en route.
After a comfortable overnight stay at Allt-na-Craig B&B, I set off home on a bright sunny morning, with time to re-climb the lovely little mountain, Beinn an Lochain, above the Rest and Be Thankful.
Beinn an Lochain has the dubious fame of being the lowest Munro until it was demoted in the metric revision of the tables, when resurveyed at only 901 m, a good 40 feet below the required height! Still, it deserves to be climbed and enjoyed.
I parked at the layby 1 km north of the Rest & Be Thankful. A good path leads across the stream which flows out of Loch Restil, then winds its way up the north ridge of the mountain avoiding a series of rocky outcrops. Boggy in some places, but mostly firm underfoot.
Beinn an Lochain from the car park
An hour and three-quarters of steady ascent, with ever increasing views, and the summit (two tops around 100 m apart) appeared.
Beinn and Lochain summit
looking down the north ridge of Beinn and Lochain
The return was by exactly the same route, taking 1 hr 15 mins.
I even managed to take a "selfie" at the top!
Summary
3 km walk
700 m climb
4 hours
(written and uploaded 10/07/2019)