Bla Bheinn (Blaven)

Bla Bheinn is the great isolated mountain of the Cuillin, similar in many respects to the other gabbro peaks of the Black Cuillin, but quite separate from them. It rises above the head of Loch Slapin as the highest point of a long ridge which extends south to north from Loch Scavaig to Loch Ainort and includes not only Bla Bheinn, but its lower neighbouring peaks Clach Glas and Garbh-bheinn. The east face of Bla Bheinn and its satellites above Loch Scavaig look magnificent with their many cliffs and gullies, and the more distant and remote west face above Srath na Creitheach is equally impressive.

The ascent starts from the road on the west side of Loch Slapin at the Allt na Dunaiche and goes along the path which starts on the north side of this stream and goes up Coire Uaigneich. At a point level with Loch Fionna-choire turn north-west and follow the path which zigzags steeply uphill to reach the crest of the east ridge of Bla Bheinn. Follow this ridge westwards with some scrambling to reach the summit. The descent may be varied by going south-west from the summit down to the col between the two peaks of Bla Bheinn and descending the gully south-eastwards to the head of Coire Uaigneich.

(Copyright The Scottish Mountaineering Club)