Ladhar Bheinn

Ladhar Bheinn is on the northern edge of the Knoydart peninsula, overlooking Loch Hourn just to the west of Barrisdale. It is possibly the finest mountain in the western highlands and one of the finest in Scotland by virtue of the complexity of its high ridges and splendid corries. The finest of these corries is Coire Dhorrcail on its north face; it is backed by steep cliffs and dark gullies, and enclosed by a long, narrow ridge. The subsidiary peak Stob a' Chearcaill at the south-eastern corner of the corrie is another very imposing top with a precipitous north face riven by narrow gullies.

There are several ways of traversing Ladhar Bheinn, starting either from Barrisdale or Inverie. However, the north side of the mountain above Barrisdale is much more impressive than the south side, so a route from there is recommended. It may be possible to reach Barrisdale by hiring a boat at Arnisdale on the north side of Loch Hourn. From Barrisdale walk up the path to the Mam Barrisdale and from the pass climb north-west to reach Stob a' Chearcaill. The final part of the climb is quite steep. Go south-west along the ridge for ½ kilometre to the junction at Pt 849m and then traverse north-west along the ridge above the headwall of Coire Dhorrcail to the summit of Ladhar Bheinn. Descend the north-east ridge over Stob a' Choire Odhair and lower down bear east across the foot of Coire Dhorrcail to reach the path back to Barrisdale.

(Copyright The Scottish Mountaineering Club)