Aonach Beag (Strath Ossian)

One of two remote mountains (the other being Beinn Eibhinn) which form the south-western half of a long high ridge extending from Loch Ossian to Loch Pattack. On a clear day these two mountains and the neighbouring Geal-Charn can be well seen from Glen Spean across the Loch Laggan Reservoir. Aonach Beag is a fine well-defined peak with three well-defined ridges converging at its summit; Beinn Eibhinn is a more spacious mountain rising from Strath Ossian to its level summit ridge, below which is the deep Coire a' Charra Mhoir.

The approaches to these mountains, either from Loch Ossian or from Glen Spean are quite long. The shorter one is from Corrour Halt on the West Highland Railway, and there should be time to climb both peaks and get back to the station between the morning and evening trains. Proceed along the private road on the south side of Loch Ossian and continue up the path beside the Uisge Labhair for about 1½ kilometres. Then climb north up a very broad ridge over Meall Glas Choire to reach the summit ridge of Beinn Eibhinn. Go round the head of Coire a' Charra Mhoir along the narrow ridge to Aonach Beag. The return may be made by the same route, or by dropping down into Coire a' Charra Bhig and following the path along the Uisge Labhair. It's also possible to combine these hills with ascents of Geal Charn and Carn Dearg though the return to Corrour is long and may not permit sufficient time to meet the evening train.

The other route starts from Glen Spean near the south-west end of Loch Laggan and goes along the track to the ruins of Lubvan and then by the bounding ridges of Coire a' Charra Mhoir to make a traverse of the two mountains.

There are accommodation options at Corrour Station House, at the Scottish Youth Hostel at Loch Ossian and also in self catering cottages run by Corrour Estate.

(Copyright The Scottish Mountaineering Club)