Beinn Mheadhoin

Beinn Mheadhoin is aptly named, for it is right in the heart of the Cairngoms, almost totally surrounded by other mountains and rather inaccessible from starting points on the perimeter of the range. Like Ben Avon, it is recognisable by the tors on its skyline. On its north side it rises steeply above the dark waters of Loch Avon and on the south side the crags of Stob Coire Etchachan give the mountain a fine appearance in the view up Glen Derry.

There are two routes to Beinn Mheadhoin, the northern approach being much shorter than the one from the south. It starts from the Coire Cas carpark and goes up the Fiacaill a' Choire Chais, the ridge on the west side of the corrie. From the cairn at its top continue south-east down Coire Raibert to Loch Avon and go round the head of the loch. Follow the path through the maze of huge boulders, passing close to the Shelter Stone, and continue along the path on a diagonal climb towards Loch Etchachan. Once level ground to the north of the loch is reached, leave the path and climb east then north-east to the broad summit ridge of Beinn Mheadhoin. The big summit tor is at its north-east end, and an easy scramble leads to its top.

The return to Coire Cas follows the same route, and involves the re-ascent of just over 400 metres on the climb up Coire Raibert from Loch Avon.

(Copyright The Scottish Mountaineering Club)