Beinn Dearg
Meaning: Red Hill
Munro Region: Loch Broom to Easter Ross
Munro Number: 55
Height in Metres: 1084
Height in Feet: 3556
OS Map Reference OS Sheet 20; 259812
Description:
These two mountains have a splendid situation on opposite sides of Coire Ghranda in the southern half of the Beinn Dearg group to the north-west of Loch Glascarnoch. Coire Ghranda is a magnificently wild corrie with a dark lochan hemmed in by steep crags. Beinn Dearg is the highest in the group, a big stony mountain with impressive cliffs on its east face overlooking Coire Ghranda and on its north face above Gleann na Sguaib. Cona' Mheall is a more compact peak whose finest feature is its narrow south ridge which rises steeply above Coire Ghranda and gives an excellent route to the summit. The best traverse of these two mountains starts from the A835 road near the east end of Loch Droma. Go north across a low ridge to the west end of Loch a'Gharbhrain and continue north past Loch Coire Lair to reach Coire Ghranda. Climb steeply up the end of the south ridge of Cona' Mheall and traverse this fine narrow ridge to the summit. Descend west down boulder slopes to the wide col leading to Beinn Dearg. Climb this mountain up a stone dyke to the flat stony summit. Descend a steep ridge east then go south along the edge of the cliffs of Coire Ghranda, crossing a stony knoll and descending a wide grassy gully to lonely Loch nan Eilean. Cross the outflow from this loch and go down the north side of the Allt a' Gharbhrain to return to the outward route.