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Ben More and Stob
Binnein |
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| The Munros |
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| Looking up to Ben More from
the farm track. The summit is hidden at the head of the corrie on the
right. |
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Country: Scotland. |
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Location: Above Glen Dochart (near
Crianlarich). |
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Accommodation: Hotel, B&B and
Youth Hostel at Crianlarich. |
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Transport: Buses between Crianlarich and
Killin |
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Maps: OS Sheet 51 (Loch Tay) |
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Trip Date: 6 June 1993 |
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Introduction |
Ben More (big hill, 1174m) and Stob Binnein (either peak or anvil,
1165m) are two imposing mountains to the east of Crianlarich - they are the
15th and 17th highest Munros. From Glen Dochart, Ben More shows its impressive
bulk well but Stob Binnein is hidden. A better view is from Strath Fillian
(walk a little way along the West Highland Way)
where the corrie climbing up to the broad peak of Ben More is obvious and the
more elegant peak of Stob Binnein peeks up to the west.
A long and classic traverse of the two mountains can be done from Loch
Doine to Glen Dochart, or vice versa, but this cannot be done as a round trip
(needing either two cars or a helpful driver). The alternatives are either a
loop from Benmore Farm (as described) or a longer route up Ben More's
north-east ridge from a point 4.5 kilometres east of Benmore Farm.
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Route |
Start the trudge up to Ben More from the A85 road 150 metres to the east
of Benmore Farm where a stile gives access to a farm track. Follow the farm
track uphill for a few hundred metres until it levels off (roughly the point
shown in the photo above). Abandon the track and head SE straight up the
unrelenting grass slopes. These become steeper as you climb towards a band of
crags. A stone dyke provides a reliable guide closer to the crags. Keep to the
north-east side of the dyke to avoid the dangerous hanging corrie to the SW
with its vertical and rocky headwall. Fear of walking into this corrie is one
reason why I abandoned my only winter climb of Ben More (along with zero
visibility, a snow storm, strong winds and not being as fit as I thought).
At the top of the dyke, a path forms to clamber through the crags where
the gradient eases and the path circles around to join the north-east ridge to
the summit. The crags form the top of the grassy slopes seen in the photo at
the top of the page. This has an OS pillar on top of a crag providing some
welcome shelter from any breeze. More shelter can be found in a cleft in the
crag next to the OS pillar. The time from the farm is about 2.5 hours - most of
it spent slogging up the grass slopes. The views are tremendous, especially
east to Loch Tay with the Ben Lawers range prominent in the distance.
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| Stob Binnein from Ben
More |
To continue to Stob Binnein, leave the summit to the south for about 200
metres and descend an indistinct ridge to the SW along a clear path. The ridge
broadens and turns to the south before coming to the wide flat
Bealach-eadar-dha Beinn col ("the pass between two hills"). Climb up the north
ridge of Stob Binnein, hugging the east side if possible to appreciate the
craggy edge of the north-east corrie. The tiny summit plateau is soon reached
with its summit cairn at the south side. The plateau is surrounded by steep
slopes and rocky crags on all sides except the north but there is an abrupt
path that leads further south if you want to bag the Top of Stob Coire an
Lochain (1066m). This top is just visible peeking from behind the shoulder of
Stob Binnein in the adjacent photo.
Start the return to Benmore Farm by dropping back down the north ridge
to the bealach. Then head down along the banks of the burn draining the col to
the west. This is occasionally steep but quickly drops 450m to Benmore Burn. If
the sun has come out then there are a couple of gigantic boulders by the stream
suitable for a bit of sunbathing. Follow the burn downstream until the farm
track is regained for a pleasant stroll back to the A85 road.
