In search of the stag.....Beinn Damh

Hill: Beinn Damh (Hill of the Stag)

Type: Corbett

Height: 903m

This was my 3^rd attempt to get to Stag hill, the last two opportunities being cancelled due to poor weather but today was to be much better. This is the most prominent of the hills situated on the south side of Loch Torridon.

I was joined on the walk today with a couple of walkers from the ADRC outing to Torridon.

View through the trees to Beinn Alligan where some of the group were today

Track took us to the low point of col

Suddenly the imposing bulk of Sgorr Ruadh comes into sight

The start is exactly the same as for my post on Beinn na h-Eaglaise so I will start this from the crossroads. Yesterday I went left so today it was the right fork. A good stalkers track took us towards the bealach. The upper section was badly eroded and not very pleasant. Still just over an hours walking saw us at the bealach where on arrival our view was immediately drawn to the Applecross massif, a huge mass of rock. The marine workings at Kishorn and further behind the peaks of Skye.

The corrie of Toll Ban we walked up its right ridge

Applecross hills and Loch Damh far below

There was an option to turn right for an hours detour to Beinn Bheag, apparently super views, but not for us today, eyes and legs only for the main target. Plus looking at it I suspect it would be more than an hour, a fine walk on its own right for another day.

The next climb took us round the side of the Toll Ban which has a very airy feel about with spectacular views steeply down to the blue waters of Loch Damh, not a place to slip over to your right.

Now just boulders and the odd track all the way up

A reprieve of sorts on a flattish section before the boulder field is hit. It is awkward scrappy walking and not at all my favourite. There are small cairns to give a guidance for the route but as we found on the descent they are all over the place, so many possible ways through the boulder field. From above we had spotted a track so the better walking would be higher up rounding the bottom of Creag na h-Iolaire.

Impressive dome top of Beinn Damh

After that fairly torrid section we reached the flatter top of the Beinn Damh ridge which comes with a view of the final climb to the true summit. The views had been outstanding all day and didn't stop here.

In my head I had this final section as a clear path but in reality it was anything but. It is not difficult but full concentration required as it is again large boulders involving hands at times, what path there was is stony scree, easy to slip and with the Corrie edge on your very near left side, it is steep and dramatic.

The top itself did not disappoint, there are 360 degree views of perfection. You love Scotland, no wonder quite magnificent. I suppose the question is what can’t you see as almost every local hill and many more in full view.

Two banded longhorn beetle

A superb viewpoint for lunch apart from the beasties that went for me, these weird things were all over me and I had no idea what they were. Turned out they are the infamous ‘two banded longhorn beetle’, there you go. Apparently they should be in oak woods but none of that up here but there were plenty of them around for sure.

Walkhighlands describes this walk as ‘a stunning introduction into the mountains of Torridon’, a pretty tough introduction I think.

Looking back the curving ridge to Creag na h-Iolaire is impressive

Looking down from near the bealach to the descent to the forest

The descent was again one of total concentration, too easy to twist an ankle, fall or trip. When we could we took in the views but getting back safely was the priority. More people were around the hill now, no way we were getting it to ourselves on a day like this.

Despite the good walk I was glad to finish, it was a bit longer than expected and my legs were feeling it. Overall delighted to get it done, not as spectacular a ridge as others I have walked but a fine hill nevertheless.

Ascent: 948m

Distance:

Time: 6.24

Wildlife: 12.51km