Sgurr Dhomhnuill via Ariundle Oakwoods

Sgurr Dhomhnuill is the highest mountain in Ardgour; a steep-sided, conical peak at the heart of a wild and rugged area. The Ariundle Oakwoods provide a magnificent approach.

TERRAIN

Excellent track/path to mine, then rough, boggy and bumpy ridge. Traces of paths; steep but no scrambling.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

None to start; bus to Strontian 3km away.

START

Ariundle Oakwoods car park. 

DEER STALKING INFORMATION

Ardgour Estate - Stalking between mid-August and 20th October. No stalking on Sundays. Information signs are located at the parking areas at the entries to each glen.

If further information is required please email dmosgrove@broadlandproperties.co.uk or phone the Estate’s Head Keeper on 01855 841304 no later than 24-hours before planning to take access.

Walk Description

STAGE 1

There is a large car park at the entrance to Ariundle Oakwoods. Begin by heading along the track (the continuation of the road) into the woods. A National Nature Reserve, Ariundle Oakwoods are a splendid remnant of the original native oak woods that once stretched along much of the west coast of Scotland (and indeed, from Spain to Norway). As well as the oaks, there are Scots pine, birches, hazel, rowan, holly, willow and ash - and the woods are home to rare lichens, mosses and insects.

STAGE 2

Cross a bridge and ignore trails heading off to the right and left. After just under 3km the route passes through a gate and then forks - keep to the higher, left hand branch ahead. Further on is a second gate, and then the route - now an excellent path - crosses a decaying bridge high over the tumbling waters of the Allt Ruighe Spardail. The path then emerges from the trees, giving superb views to Sgurr na h-Iginn (crossed on our route) and Sgurr a'Chaorainn.

STAGE 3

Continue along the path until it comes alongside the spoil and workings of the long-abandoned Strontian lead mines. Leave the path here, heading across the old mines area before bearing left along a raised embankment to reach the Allt Feith Dhomhnuill (burn) near a small heap of spoil on the near bank. This is the best place to ford the burn - the bridge shown downstream on OS 1:25k maps has long since been swept away. In spate conditions the crossing could become dangerous or impossible. On the far side a path leads briefly east before petering out into boggy ground with coarse grasses.

STAGE 4

Continue up onto the lower part of the Druim Leac a'Sgiathain ridge; the ridge line is indistinct at first and terrain could be confusing in mist. As height is gained, stunning views open up behind, looking back over Ariundle Oakwoods to Loch Sunart and beyond. The going eventually improves as the gradient eases.

STAGE 5

The ridge undulates over several bumps and passes a couple of lochans, with views to Sgurr Dhomhnuill to the left, Sgurr na h-Ighinn ahead and Sgurr a'Chaorainn - the western summit of Beinn na h-Uamha - to the right.

STAGE 6

The ridge steepends once more for the final ascent to Sgurr na h-Ighinn. Though a fine rocky peak, it is simple enough to avoid any scrambling. The views from the tiny cairn are magnificent, with the Small Isles of Muck, Eigg and Rum visible over Acharacle. Descend the relatively gentle northeast ridge to the bealach.

STAGE 7

The ascent to Sgurr Dhomnuill is split into two stages with a brief flat section between. The first part of the climb is up a wide and easy grassy gully which splits the outcrops. The second section appears very steep, but a grassy rake slants uphill to the right to pass beneath some crags before steep - but straightforward and grassier - slopes lead up to the final ridge and the massive summit cairn.

STAGE 8

It is possible to descent the extremely steep and rocky slope to the Glas Bhealach and head along the Druim Garbh ridge to eventually reach the highest point of the road between Ariundle and Polloch. However, the simplest and perhaps most enjoyable return is to retrace the outward route. Once back on the bealach, it is possible to bypass Sgurr na h-Ighinn by a fairly obvious line across its northern side, before continuing on down the ridge back to the mine and to Ariundle.