Glencoe walk report 8th June 2025

On 8 June 2025, Blairgowrie and District Hillwalking club had a successful trip to Glencoe with parties climbing two Munros, Meal a Bhuiridh and Creise, a Corbett Beinn a Chrulaiste and stretches of the West Highland Way.

Glencoe is one of the farthest hillwalking areas for the Club to visit for a day’s walking and attempts last year were thwarted by poor weather and transport difficulties. Although road diversions threatened to dampen the end of the day the coach driver delivered everyone back safely. Overall, a most enjoyable day.

The combined A and B party of 13 members set off from the Glencoe Mountain resort car park and took the “new” switch back road up to the upper chair lift station (this saved going up the steep straight-up-the-hill, walkers path but added a kilometre or so to the distance). As the downhill MTB trails cross the road at several points the group was treated to some spectacular biking skills from those descending at speed on 2 wheels.

From the upper chairlift station we headed up the track to the Pavilion Café then followed a diagonal ascent across moorland to reach the main path up the broad ridge towards Meall a Bhuiridh. A short stop was made to put on over trousers as a heavy rain shower came in. Of course as soon as everyone had their over trousers on the rain stopped (and stayed away for the remainder of the walking day). The ascent followed a well-defined path in the lower part then through fields of scree and a “vehicle” track to the summit where we sheltered from the wind and had our first break amongst the crags on the west side.

After a short bit of discussion the seven who wanted to attempt Creise set off down the rocky northern ridge to the coll before the ascent up the steeper northern side. Two of the party decided not to continue when on this ascent. The final part is a zig-zag through rocks with a couple of scramble sections but nothing technical. Once on the broad ridge it was a 600m / 15 minute walk, in a cold wind, up to the summit. The five “summiteers” had spectacular views of all the high hills in all directions with only Ben Nevis showing a dusting of snow. Then it was a return by the same route (the original A walk being too long to complete in time). Time for another break at the lowest point of the coll sheltered by some large rocks. The ascent back to Meall a Bhuiridh seemed a bit longer than the descent – and the descent down the stone fields towards the ski area seemed a bit longer than the original ascent! On the plateau the group passed through the Disk Golf course area – and wondered how much it was used (too windy at that time to play).

A shortcut bypassed the first zig zag of the road and the group met up with the other A and B groups at the café for a welcome drink and snack at the car park for a welcome drink and snack

After leaving the A team the B group descended east to Creag an Fhirich to pick up the West Highland Way back to the start point.

Five walkers climbed the Corbett Beinn a Chrulaiste starting at Altnafeadh up over Stob a Chrulaiste, the Corbett top and on to the Kings House Hotel via the twin tops of Meall Bhalach.

Like the Munro teams, they were blessed with clear views in all directions from Glen Coe, Rannoch Moor, Ben Nevis (with a dusting of snow) and the Nevis range, the Grey Corries and beyond. As they had plenty of time, they meandered at a slow pace, to make as much of being on the hill as possible, and were happy to be treated to some "sparring" between several small groups of goats they passed, as well as a loan deer and newly hatched tiny frogs.

Another quintet of walkers formed the C party and they also had plenty time to complete their walk along the West Highland Way from Bridge of Orchy to Tyndrum. They adopted a leisurely pace with plenty of short stops and fun as they strode out, enjoying good company and clear views. They were surprised to meet quite so many walkers coming towards them but they exchanged cheery greetings, in a variety of European languages. Having time in hand two of this party carried on beyond Tyndrum to the Lochan of the Lost Sword.

Wildlife spotting was limited but on the Munros there were ptarmigan in their summer plumage and red deer. All groups experienced excellent arrays of wild flowers such as yellow mountain saxifrage, chickweed wintergreen, butterwort and our favourite, mountain thyme.