Ben Vane, Beinn Ime, Beinn Narnain - Arrochar Alps - Feb 2004

About Ben Vane, Beinn Ime, Beinn Narnain

These three hills are best climbed in a loop making a long but very rewarding days walking,  The total distance is 20 Km but the hills makes that feel double.  This is further exaggerated by the drop between Vane and Ime which makes it a struggle.  Ben vane is the first hill you would do which starts near enough at the head of Loch Sloy where you will see the tremendous dam that is used to create hydroelectric power at Loch Sloy power station.  The shoulder of this hill runs up the left side of the loch and stunning views of this can be seen when you climb Ben Vorlich. Beinn Ime is the highest hill in the Arrochar Alps sitting at 1011m/3317ft and views from the top are stunning with views out towards the Crianlarich hills and beyond.  The final hill of the day is Narnain is a Interesting hill but a steep slog to get to the summit from  Beinn Ime.  it is a good looking hill but is out classed by the beauty of the Cobbler which again is connected by a high bealach.  The Cobbler sits proud with its jagged rocky summit.  This can be included with the three if your crazy and have a bit too much energy that day ( I was knackered by this point).  Anyway back onto the Munros Beinn Narnain has a brilliant summit with a huge long plateau on top which you walk straight along to come back down to where you started.  Beinn Narnain is best viewed from the car park at Invergluss where you will park it looks tremendous.   These three hills form a perfect circle and make a great days walking.

Ben Vane, Beinn Ime, Beinn Narnain Route 

I used the visitor center car park at Inveruglas next to the power station and first of all was blown away by the view of Beinn Narnain...it was calling my name( cheesy yeh I know).  You then walk down the road ( pavement remember don't want any accidents now)  turning left when you come out the car park walk past the power station until you get to a bridge and a gate go through here and walk up the road for about 2 Km or so.  you go past a cottage on your left and take the land rover track on your left just as you see the dam in the distance.  Continue along this road until you reach an old bridge and on your right is Ben Vane.  At first there is not much of a path so just find anyway up you can and you will find a path when you get to the first plateau.  It is a steep climb to the top but a fairly decent path all the way.  Looking to the east you can see the Sloy Dam and Loch Sloy with Ben Vorlich powering up behind it.  Nearing the summit there is quite a bit of scrambling up the rocks you need to do but no problem and you then reach the summit of Ben Vane.  Looking to the west you on a clear day will see Beinn Ime no problem it is the highest hill around and you will see what I mean about the drop and long slog back up to the summit of Ime.  The path is non existent at points but you can clearly see your goal so judge it as best as you can.  The coirre on the right hand side of the bealach is a fine site.  I don't know if I went the wrong way or if you are actually supposed to go this way as there is little evidence pf the path on the hill but I ended up doing some pretty hairy scrambling near the top of the hill.  The summit has one of the best cairns I have ever seen and makes a good place for photographs.  Being a bit tired now you get the full site of the cobber directly south from here and you wish you could climb it but trust me you will be feeling pretty tired by this point.  You can also see your next Munro Narnain and follow the path down the south side of Narnain heading directly to the cobbler.  You then go over the style on your left and follow the step path up Narnain.  It is a slog with not much views apart from the daunting Cobbler.  There are many rocks on the way up so make a good place for a sheltered lunch or a well earned rest.  Near the summit you can climb over some large boulders which was quite good fun or walk away around them and follow the path to the summit.  The best summit of the day with brilliant views down Loch Lomond and Loch Long and on a good down over to Arran.  Once you've snapped several good photos head off along the long plateau on the top of Narnain If you don't want to go the whole way ( I didn't ) after about 10 Minutes or so walking along the plateau you can climb down the side of the hill back into the valley all three hills surround.  Once back down just follow the same road you came in on back to the car park.   

The day I climbed these hills the weather was fantastic and offered brilliant visibility the sky was complete blue with a couple of fluffy clouds... awwwwww anyway made brilliant walking conditions.

Ben Vane, Beinn Ime, Beinn Narnain Images / Photos / Pictures

             First view of Beinn Narnain from Inveruglas                  Ben Vane as seen from the Coireagan (spelling?) stream

    Beinn Ime from the Coireagan Stream or is it a dinosaur ?       View from Narnain Loch Lomond left, Loch Long right

   Loch Sloy & Sloy Dam with Ben Vorlich Behind from Ben Vane       The rocky summit of the Cobbler from Beinn Ime

OS maps:   Lochranger number 56 Loch Lomond & Inveraray Area   

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