Start Grid Ref: NN608377
Map: OL48 Ben Lawers
March 2016
In early March we decided to try glamping for the first time at Loch Tay Highland Lodges. Superb experience. Just like camping without having to put up your own tent. They come equipped with a fridge, kettle and microwave, and a fire pit outside the front door, which is really relaxing after a day in the hills.
We still take the camping stove, fold-away barbecue and eat 'camping food' but it is a great experience.
We arrived on the Friday late afternoon, unpacked and just chilled out with some beers in front of a roaring log fires whilst we contemplated the next days walk.
It was our intention to go up Ben Lawyers, which at 3,983 feet is Scotland's 10th highest mountain, so we thought we would bag Beinn Ghlas (3,619 feet) on the way.
The main problem, on the day was that the snow was deeper than we thought it would be, and bearing in mind it was just a 'hit and run' weekend, we decided just to do Beinn Ghlas, as we only had fabric boots, no crampons and no ice axes
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| Ben Lawyers |
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The walk start at the Ben Lawers car park on the west side of the road (voluntary parking charge). The area is designated as a National Nature Reserve and is owned by the National Trust for Scotland. Begin the walk by heading through the walled interpretation area and on the surfaced path to a gate. Go through this and cross the road to continue on the path, with views to Beinn Ghlas ahead. The deer fence protecting the flora of the Nature Reserve (from grazing sheep and deer) is reached; enter it through the large gate.
The walk start at the Ben Lawers car park on the west side of the road (voluntary parking charge). The area is designated as a National Nature Reserve and is owned by the National Trust for Scotland. Begin the walk by heading through the walled interpretation area and on the surfaced path to a gate. Go through this and cross the road to continue on the path, with views to Beinn Ghlas ahead. The deer fence protecting the flora of the Nature Reserve (from grazing sheep and deer) is reached; enter it through the large gate.
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| Interpretation Area
The nature trail sets off to the right but remain on the main path which keeps to the left of the stream, initiallyclinbing gently against the birch trees. Beinn Ghlas can be seen on the right.
Continue along the main path which soon swings right across the stream. Evenually you leave the Nature Reserve and the fenced off area. The peak to te left of Beinn Ghlas is Meall Corranaice whilst the rockier top behind you is Meall nan Tarmachan. When the path forks ahead, keep to the right, beginning a steeper ascent on increasingly rocky ground.
There is a shoulder before the final climb to Beinn Ghlas, a small summit plateau.
Normally we would have continued across the bealach to Ben Lawers, but given the depth of the snow between the two peaks we decided against it.
We had a pleasant lunch just below the summit, out of the wind, taking in the wonderful clear view of the Tarmachan Ridge and the surrounding hills before retracing our steps back to the carpark.
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