Beinn an Dothaidh (& Beinn Dorain again)

Beinn an Dothaidh from Bridge of Orchy station.

Gaelic meaning : Hill of the scorching 
Height : 3,293 feet
Walk distance : 8.75 miles
OS Map : Loch Etive
Difficulty rating : 3

As you may have already read this is an area I've been to before. Beinn an Dothaidh is somewhat overshadowed by it's more recognisable neighbour Beinn Dorain. So much so that I climbed Dorain in July and completely missed Dothaidh, literally (terrible weather). So I decided it was high time to come back and climb this, as the weather was forecast to be pretty good I thought I'd also climb Dorain and take in the view from the summit, which was sadly lacking the last time. It is Scotland after all!

On arrival the conditions were not quite as the weather forecast had promised, a howling wind blew and the tops of both Munro's were covered in cloud. Uncool. Still, onwards and upwards.

As the wind was blowing from the south the closer you came to Coire an Dothaidh the more sheltered it got, and as time passed the clouds started to get blown away, a bit. Once you arrive at the top of Coire an Dothaidh you have to decide which Munro you want to tackle so choose the path to either the left or the right.

The path from Coire an Dothaidh isn't the greatest, but it's fun

 As I was heading for the summit of Dothaidh I took the left path. Easily followed for a short while up a relatively gentle incline it soon becomes a minor scramble over some loose rocks then on to some fairly boggy featurless ground.

Stick with it and eventually (if you're not sucked into the mud) a path will appear. Follow this a short while until you see a path head to the left at a 90o angle. Up there you'll find the summit.

Looking back from the summit

I didn't stay long due to the wind so I started to head back down. When I got to the Corrie things had cleared up nicely so I decided to try again for the Summit of Dorain, which was totally worth it. Although I forgot to take any pictures . . . .

Beinn Achaladair from near Dothaidh's summit.

On the way back from Dorain the view really opened up and the Black Mount Peaks were in fine view

R-L - Stob a'Choire Odhair, Stob Ghabhar, Meall Nan Uan, Glas Bheinn Mor

I really enjoyed this walk and would recommend it whole heartedly.