Beinn an Eoin

Introduction

This twin topped mountain is technically an outlier of Ben Mor Coigach but it stands out so far that is half surrounded by Loch Lurgainn. By all accounts it makes a pleasant outing over rough terrain that is rarely walked and giving good views of the cliffs of The Fiddler. We did not get around to tackling this summit until quite late (1998) but if you collect the less popular tops then this is definately one to put on your list. We did hear of the plans to forest the slopes of this mountain and were fortunate to make this walk before the work commenced. This will be the first major plantation in this district and a step that will undoubtedly restrict the formerly free access to the ridges. The view above is taken from the top of Ben Mor and shows the double top of Beinn an Eoin above Lochan Tuath; the mountain behind is Stac Pollaidh - no prizes for that one!

Ascent Routes

The ascent route starts from the head of Loch Lurgainn, crossing the river by stepping stones. The day had been heavily overcast but showed some promise by late morning as we parked the car by the roadside. The path is very wet and boggy and follows on the south bank of the Allt Claonaidh heading towards Lochan Tuath. We crossed the river and cut across the rough heather to the foot of the slope under Cioch Beinn an Eoin. The end of the ridge is protected by a shallow line of crags so we struck a rising traverse up the steep slope to gain the ridge. It was still heavily overcast as we wandered back to the east end of the ridge but most tops were still clear.

It is an easy walk along the ridge climbing over a series of bumps to a final pull up to the 618m top of Sgorr Deas. Here we stopped for lunch directly opposite The Fiddler - the best views of the hugh cliff face on this peak are gained by swinging south on the ascent or from the valley path to Lochan Tuath. The central position of Sgorr Deas gives clears views of all Coigach tops -all you need do is point the camera and click the shutter.

A strong wind was blowing so we did not linger long before continuing north along the ridge over a series of sandstone slabs, disturbing a herd of deer that crossed to our right and disappeared over the shoulder. It is a steep drop over grass and heather to reach the small lochan that nestles in the col between Sgorr Deas and the next top Sgorr Tuath. The climb beyond looks steep and craggy but is in fact fairly easy and offers the opportunity of some simple scrambling - or just stick to the grass. The top has a deep crack in the rock - wide enough to fall into if not seen and deep enough to be difficult to get out of. The final stroll east along the ridge is over sandstone slabs and boulders with some pinnacles passed on the left. There is a clear profile view of Stac Pollaidh seen across Loch Lurgainn below.

It was now 4:00pm so we descended the grass and heather slopes to strike across the wet valley floor to pass under the Cioch and regain the path south of Feur Loch. The weather now closed in and it started to rain as we drove along the road to the campsite at Achnahaird. It continued to rain for the next 16 hours!

This is a mountain to return to when the skies are clear and blue as the views to the surrounding tops are most impressive - an ideal location for compiling a photographic record of the Coigach mountains.

Forestry

As we discovered in 1998 the proposed forestry of the slopes has commenced in the 1999 season. Over 30 miles of deer fencing have been erected on the slopes of this mountain and planting of trees undertaken in the spring and autumn of 1999. Access gates for walkers have been put in at 'points commonly used for access' but we have not ventured into the area since they appeared. The fencing will be left in place for around 10 years, by which time the trees will be large enough to withstand the deer browsing the foliage - and the views across the valley will be very, very different.

References

• Wild Walks includes an outing over this mountain in conjunction with a chapter on its near neighbour Ben Mor Coigach.