BEINN A' GHLO, MOUNTAIN OF MIST, is the name traditionally given to the compact mountainous area north-east of Blair Atholl hemmed in by Glen Tilt to the north-west and Glen Loch to the north-east.
To the south-east are the lower rolling hills of Perthshire, including two Corbetts, Ben Vrackie and Ben Vuirich. There are three Munros within this area, connected by a four-mile ridge running roughly south-west/north-east. Oddly enough the group na
me, Beinn a' Ghlo, appears on maps only alongside Carn nan Gabhar in the north-east, albeit this is the highest point. Carn Liath is the peak at the extreme south-west end and for motorists travelling north on the A9 it dominates the skyline.
But what about the middle peak, at 1,070m/3,510ft, higher than Carn Liath and of more commanding bulk, but somewhat tucked away? Its name is Bràigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain (shortened to BCCB for convenience) and it shares with Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair the distinction of the longest name of any Munro, with an impressive 26 letters, though arguably BCCB wins on tiebreak because of the hyphen. Mind, that is still fewer than the splendid 30 letters of the Corbett, Meallan Liath Coire Mhic Dhughaill. Never mind spelling BCCB, not surprisingly, very few hillwalkers can actually name the hill. For many its narrow north-east/south-west plateau is just part of the traverse of Beinn a' Ghlo, en route to, or from, Carn nan Gabhar. BCCB is thus seldom climbed on its own, though that is the plan this week, and I know of no hillwalker who has completed a Munro round here. If anyone has done so, please let me know.
From its small mossy summit, giving excellent views of Carn nan Gabhar and Carn Liath, long, graceful grassy ridges spread north and west and then descend steeply to Glen Tilt. When I was there a few weeks ago these ridges were impressive with strips of snow. BCCB, best appreciated when viewed from the summit of Carn Liath, has its summit cairn close to a small, steep-sided eastern corrie. BCCB has been translated as "height of the round bag-shaped corrie" or "corrie of the rounded blisters", presumably referring to that eastern corrie enclosed by two south-east arms, yet the basis for the description escapes me. The hill was earlier referred to as the Turkey Peak, but was not named even on one-inch maps of the 1920s.
You will need Ordnance Survey map 43, Braemar to Blair Atholl. Take the minor road from Blair Atholl that goes north to Old Bridge of Tilt, then east on the south side of the Fender Burn to delightful Loch Moraig. Park with consideration before reaching the junction of the private road to Monzie and a track that heads north-east towards the base of Carn Liath. Head along that track, signposted for Shinagag, for a mile to two small huts at map ref 923679, the usual point from where to climb Carn Liath. However, continue with the track for another mile to just before a junction, then follow a worn path, well above the Allt Coire Lagain, that goes north-east round the base of Carn Liath heading for Beinn Bheag.
At around map ref 945694, a path can be seen heading direct for Airgiod Bheinn, the subsidiary top of Carn nan Gabhar. Ignore that path, however, and climb gently north on the west side of Beinn Bheag. Continuing north, cross one stream and climb to traverse flatter ground. Descend slightly to cross a second stream at map ref 945710.
Ahead lies the south-east arm of BCCB and a climb of 250m on good terrain soon reaches the summit area to join the popular route from Carn Liath. The summit lies north a short distance away, being mindful of the cairn close to the steep slopes of the eastern corrie. You may be tempted to go on to Carn nan Gabhar, but its summit lies a long way out . . . and back.
To begin with, retrace steps southwards from BCCB, but then for a slight change stay with the main ridge as it sweeps WSW, then south again on easy slopes. The ridge narrows to a 765m col, at map ref 938715, that links BCCB with Carn Liath. This narrow sneck makes a sheltered resting spot, regardless of the wind's direction. Though some may prefer to return to the car by traversing Carn Liath, descend south-east from the col on the obvious path to rejoin the inward route north-west of Beinn Bheag.
FactfileMap: Ordnance Survey map 43, Braemar to Blair Atholl
Distance: 10 miles
Height: 750m
Terrain: Track, path then open hillside
Start point: Loch Moraig, parking before the private road to Monzie
Time: 5 to 6 hours
Nearest village: Blair Atholl
Nearest refreshment spot: Bridge of Tilt Hotel, Blair Atholl
The full article contains 833 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
