Beinn Liath Mhòr
| Beinn Liath Mhòr | |||
| Ross-shire | |||
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 Beinn Liath Mhòr from Sgorr Ruadh | |||
| Range: | Torridon Hills | ||
| Summit: | 3,038 feet NG964519 57°30’41"N, 5°24’2"W | ||
Beinn Liath Mhòr is a mountain amongst the Torridon Hills of Ross-shire. It stands at 3,038 feet and is duly listed as a Munro.
The mountain is in the high country between Strath Carron and Glen Torridon in Wester Ross. Geologically Beinn Liath Mhòr is made up of Cambrian quartzite scree and Torridonian sandstones giving the mountain a distinctive colour contrast of light and dark. The mountain's other main characteristic is its undulating summit ridge which does not drop below 2,600 feet for its entire 1¼-mile length. This culminates at the summit at its far western end at a height of 3,038 feet, making Beinn Liath Mhòr the 258th highest Munro.
Ascent
The most common approach to Beinn Liath Mhòr starts at Achnashellach on the A890 road and goes by the right of way to Glen Torridon. This follows the impressive Coire Lair, a rugged valley surrounded by three imposing mountains, the other two being Sgorr Ruadh (which is also a Munro) and Fuar Tholl, which mountain writers ranks as one of the finest of hills below 3,000 feet. The Coire Lair path is followed for a mile and a half until the path forks, here the right hand fork is taken across moorland for 500 yards until reaching the steep climb of Beinn Liath Mhòr’s south east ridge, which leads directly to the summit plateau.
It is also possible to climb Beinn Liath Mhòr from Glen Torridon starting at the at grid reference car park and following the Ling path to its termination and then ascending the mountain by its western ridge.
The summit ridge consists of light coloured quartzite stones, whilst the highest point at the far end is crowned by a quartzite cairn. The prospect from the summit gives splendid views of the Torridon Hills to the west including a unique side on view of Liathach and its pinnacles. There are many small lochans well seen below the mountain, as is Upper Loch Torridon.
Many walkers will continue from Beinn Liath Mhòr to take in the accompanying Munro, Sgorr Ruadh and strong walkers will also take in Fuar Tholl giving a top class high level walk around Coire Lair.
References
- Torridon, A Walker's Guide: Peter Barton: Cicerone Press: ISBN 1-85284-022-6
- The Munros, SMC Guide: Donald Bennett et al.: Scottish Mountaineering Trust: ISBN 0-907521-13-4
| Munros in SMC Area SMC Section 13 - Coulin and Torridon |
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Beinn Liath Mhòr • Maol Chean-dearg • [Liathach |
