Aird Chadhachan

Looking west from the summit of Aird Chadhachan (474m). Sgurr a' Choire-bheithe falls short of Munro height by just a metre! Michael took this photo during a 15-hour walk through the Rough Bounds of Knoydart.

Looking out towards Loch Cuaich. It's settled now, but this hill used to be subject to regular scares where a rumour went out that it was over 3000' and it enjoyed sudden bursts of popularity. Hamish Brown once said it was "too fine a hill to be thrown to the dogs."

View through Glen Barrisdale from Sgùrr a' Choire Bheithe

Sgùrr a' Choire Bheithe is typical of the Rough Bounds, being an east west long ridge with very steep sides with deep glens on either side. The landforms are due to erosion from glaciers falling off a central icecap. Often the slopes have failed, without the scaffolding of ice, they have slumped in huge landslides with fissures, mounds etc. A good example is the chaos in Glen Pean. Sgùrr a' Choire Bheithe used to be subject to munro scares, when rumours spread that it was resurveyed over 3000' and it experienced periods of popularity. The issue is now settled. I set off a similar phenomenon once on Glen Spean's Beinn Teallach. That time it was true and even in those days before the consumer internet (1984) it was not long before a lot more cars were seen at the foot of the hill. I was also asked by the station master at Tulloch as to what was going on on the hill. A really exciting time. Now most height issues are settled, enthusiasts are listing hills including shale bings and arguing over 30m drop hills in England. I feel I lived in the golden age of hill bagging. The rather good view includes the steep north side of Beinn Aden and Lochan nam Breac.

West of the summit with a view towards Ladhar Bheinn

Sgùrr a' Choire Bheithe is typical of the Rough Bounds, being an east west long ridge with very steep sides with deep glens on either side. The landforms are due to erosion from glaciers falling off a central icecap. Often the slopes have failed, without the scaffolding of ice, they have slumped in huge landslides with fissures, mounds etc. A good example is the chaos in Glen Pean. Sgùrr a' Choire Bheithe used to be subject to munro scares, when rumours spread that it was resurveyed over 3000' and it experienced periods of popularity. The issue is now settled.

Sgùrr a' Choire Bheithe seen from Barrisdale.

From Sgùrr a' Choire Bheithe.

This substantial burn drains the high corrie between Slat Bheinn and the Druim Chòsaidh, the ridge which runs eastwards from Sgurr a’ Choire-bhèithe. By all accounts, it can be an awkward one to cross in poor weather, especially further down in NG9501 where it approaches Loch Quoich; not a problem on this occasion, although it was carrying a bit of cold snow-melt water. The hill in the background is the 841m Sgurr a' Chladeimh in NG9503

Seen here in the high corrie between Slat Bheinn and Druim Chòsaidh, the ridge east of Sgurr a’ Choire-bhèithe, this stream drains eastwards into Loch Quoich in NG9601

The burn drains a corrie below the hill Slat Bheinn, and also forms the outflow of Loch an Lagain Aintheich.

Down beside the substantial burn that drains the glen, with the ridge of Druim Chòsaidh forming the southern wall.

Running here through a deep part of the glen; that tree doesn't look long for this world.

A series of regular steps in the stream bed, almost looking man-made. They are, of course, entirely natural.

A small tributary from the hillside joins the main Abhainn Chòsaidh.

A small side-stream joins the main burn in the valley.

Along the length of the valley, with the ridge of Druim Chòsaidh on the skyline, and the Corbett of Sgurr a' Choire-bheithe at the far end.